Reviews:
It All Began With a Bean by Katie McKy, illustrated by Tracy
Hill, ($14.95, Tanglewood Press, Terre Haute, IN) is a very silly, slightly
naughty story that kids four to eight will enjoy either having read to them or
reading themselves, depending on their age. It incorporates the elements of a
good kid’s story, lots of big numbers, lots of animals, and a storm of
flatulence that is hilarious. Even the skunks have to hold their noses! The
author has taught school for 20 years, so she knows her audience well and the
illustrator has a gift for capturing the fun of the story.
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It
All Began with a Bean You
know what it’s like. Your tummy feels too full. It might even hurt a little.
Then your belly starts to rumble. There’s only one way to feel better, right?
Just let it rip. Now,
what do you think would happen in your town if every single person and every
single animal—even the fish—farted at the same time? What did they eat to
cause this stench? How do you think the stinky smell would go away? It All Began with a Bean gives the
very imaginative and really funny answers. Age
appropriate language about one of children’s favorite subjects just might
encourage youngsters to read on their own. Bright, comical illustrations by |
It All Began With A Bean is a delightfully whimsical picturebook
exploration of what would happen if 5 flies feasted on beans, 15 pigeon dined
on raisins, 45 cats chomped on cheese, 135 dogs woofed down potato chips,
thousands of kids (and their teachers!) chewed bubble gum, half a million
people ate eggs; a million fish swam through soda, and more than a million
people gulped big breaths before a race -- and then they all farted at the same
time. Katie McKy's original story is wonderfully illustrated by Tracy Hill --
the result is a modern classic that will thoroughly engage the imaginations of
young readers ages
Barnes and Noble Children's Literature - Sharon Oliver
If there is one subject that reduces all children to
giggles, it is farting. In this imaginative picture book, inspired by a second
grader's question, McKy explores what would happen if everyone and everything
farted at once. Five flies eating a bean, 15 pigeons eating raisins, 45 cats
meowing for cheese, 135 dogs munching on potato chips, half a million people
eating eggs, a million fish slurping soda, millions of people gulping air
racing and cheering all let go at once. The blast peels paint off cars, parts
the threads in teachers' clothes and blows the stripes off the zebras at the
zoo. Luckily, later in the day a mighty wind comes along, bringing much relief
to the town, but perhaps not for the next town downwind. McKy's book focuses on a topic that adults usually find embarrassing,
annoying or try to ignore. For a child however, little is as amusing as
that sound. While this may not have universal appeal, for a reluctant reader
(in particular the boys) this may be just the right choice. Tracy Hill's full
page, colorful and cartoon-like illustrations are just perfect for the story.
2004, Tanglewood Press, Ages 5 to 8.
School
Library Journal
PreS-Gr 3-This over-the-top, tall-tale
style picture book is supposedly "the true story of what happened when
everything and everyone farted at once." Innocuously beginning with a fly
eating a bean, birds, fish, dogs, cats, and more than half a million people all
coincidentally ingest gas-producing foods at the same time. When everyone lets
loose at once, the resulting chaos blasts "the paint from police cars to
school buses.- The gas parted the threads in teachers'
clothes. The kids got to see the principal's underpants!" Even after the
explosion, the smell still lingers: "It was so strong that green slid out
of the leaves of trees. Freckles slid off cheeks-. Even skunks searching for
food in trashcans had to close their noses." Eventually a mighty wind
blows the gas away (although the billowing cloud does not bode well for the
town downwind). Ridiculous to the extreme, this story is illustrated with comic
cartoons featuring bug-eyed characters with greenish/brownish/yellowish clouds
exploding out of their derrieres. Although gross-out bodily humor is quite
popular these days, not everyone will be able to enjoy this book. The right
audience is sure to get a laugh.-Piper L. Nyman, formerly at Fairfield Civic
Center Library, CA Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
A Teacher’s Review!
Some may find this topic provocative. After all, nobody
writes flatulence into lesson plans but all kids do it (teachers, too!) and
find it hilarious so why not talk about. Why not tell a story that teaches and
amuses?
I have spent the past nine years in the classroom and seven of those years
teaching overseas in three countries. Farting is universal and transcends
cultures. "It All Began with a Bean" would have been appreciated in
the
The past 6 months have found me at home with my daughter. From the perspective
of a parent, I find this book delightful. We read it at least once a week and
it truly is a favorite. The alliteration, the tone, the playful use of words
and images impress my daughter who is just starting to explore language.
Teachers, parents, doctors......BUY THIS BOOK!!!!
A Kid’s
Review!
I think this book is really great. I thought is was very funny and exciting.