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Songs for Keira Bean: Poetry to Grow With

by Sue Whittaker; Illustrated by Gina Harfman

38 pages; Saddle stitched; catalogue #07-2159; ISBN 1-4251-4992-8; US$20.00, C$20.00, EUR13.66, £10.33

Keira Bean grows from toddler to an 8-year-old with Buddy, an imaginary dinosaur along for the trip, through potty training blues to trampoline skills and thrills.

About the Book

If you like to laugh with your kids, Songs for Keira Bean: Poetry to Grow With is a collection of 38 humorous poems that will appeal to the young and the young at heart. The dazzling illustrations add to the fun, with Buddy, the imaginary dinosaur, getting into the act constantly after he "came to tea, and ate up all the broccoli." He is there through The Training Blues, and is in complete sympathy with the Grumpy Thoughts from a Sleepy-time Gal.

When Keira Bean starts to explore her neighbourhood and make friends, Buddy goes along, visiting playschool, enjoying a snowball fight, and learning to do stunts on the trampoline.

Family interactions do not escape his notice either. When Daddy Has an Owie, he feels the pain. When Keira Got a Stuffy Nose, he offered first-aide. And when Keira decides On Tuesday I Want to be Boss, she has his full support.

Songs for Keira Bean: Poetry to Grow With, is a peek into the family of a much loved only child. There are poems to pass the time as she enjoys the bath – or tolerates having her hair washed – and others to share on walks with Mom and Dad, car rides, at meal times, through the seasons, while learning to count, on holidays, when the Queen comes to tea and while Keira plays hide-and-seek with her dad.

A poem is a song without a tune so readers are encouraged to add their own music and double their fun.

About the Author

Word of a new baby in the family is always the best news possible. The news of Keira Bean's arrival was especially compelling for her great aunt, Sue Whittaker. She began to imagine the life of a much loved only child, in poems. Simple poems to begin with, using simple language. Language that would expand as the child grew from a Young Sprout to Full of Beans then into the Bean There, Done That stage. So far, Auntie Sue's insight is right on. Keira Bean reminds her of a blossom that opens to reveal a new miracle every day.

About the Illustrator

When Gina Harfman first read the songs for Keira Bean, the dinosaur who came to tea wouldn't leave. As she envisioned her drawings, 'Buddy' found his way into every situation, adding a ton of fun to the task of illustration. This was the project Gina had longed for through the strict discipline of required college art courses. Finally, a way to put all the theory to use!

That the artist was called Gina Bean as a child, made the opportunity to illustrate Songs for Keira Bean: Poetry to Grow With irresistible.

Excerpts