It All Began with a Bean

I'm a mom and a teacher and I have read many children's books as I've raised my children. "It All Began With a Bean" is one of the most creative and whimsical books that I have ever read. The illustrations are delightful and the story is great fun. The inspiration for the story, which I read in a newspaper, was a second grader's question: "What would happen if everyone in the world farted at once?" This is a typical question for young children and Katie McKy answers it with great good humor. I look forward to more books by Ms. McKy.

Very cute book with engaging prose and illustrations. Even though I don't have children I bought it for my husband and we laughed out loud while reading it.

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 Czech Republic, France and Germany. The pictures are so animated and colorful that one wouldn't need to translate the text. 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!!!!

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 4 to 8 from beginning to end.

How much fun is this topic and book! I could not wait to hear what happened next, my imagination took off with possibilities. The pictures where great too!!