World Famous Comics: The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer: A Day in the Life of a Dreamer
The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer: A Day in the Life of a Dreamer
By: Karen Gedig Burnett Publisher: GR Publishing Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: GR Publishing Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 32 Publication Date: 2004-03 Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Product Description: A spirited Megan acts out her dreams as people tell her to stop it and grow up. But Megan learns to accept herself and stay true to her dreams.
With an underlying positive message for young folks The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer: A Day In The Life Of A Dreamer by Karen Gedig Burnett is a very highly recommended and entertaining picture book with an underlying positive message for young folks. Following the adventures of Megan, an impulsive and imaginative young girl, whose exuberance brings her intense criticism, the story hinges upon a key conversation in which the girl's mother reassures her that it is OK to dream, to play, and to be a kid. Wonderfully enhanced with the colorful artwork of Laurie Barrows, The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer will prove a welcome addition to school and community library collections for children ages 5 to 8.
Magical Dreams Megan is a dreamer who is living in a world where everyone keeps telling her, "Don't," "No," "Stop," and "Grow Up." She has a vivid imagination and loves to act out her dreams. As she runs into the kitchen, she imagines she is the fastest kid alive. Well, until she knocks over the bucket of soapy water and her mother says: "Megan, go outside to run."
We find Megan in playful situations where she is dancing "between" raindrops, traveling to Mars or exploring wild jungles. I love the page where Megan says: "I dance between raindrops and never get wet." I remember thinking this was possible when I was a child. There is a cute picture of Megan playing on the lawn with the sprinkler, a dog and a mouse with an umbrella. On the left side of the two open pages, you see a dream-style cloud picture with Megan dressed as a ballerina and the dog is even dressed as an angel. The mouse, blue bird, squirrel, cat, dog and little yellow chicken appear in most of the scenes and this is amusing and cute. Children will enjoy looking for the animals.
Laurie Barrows has created the reality and the dream on all the pages where Megan is pretending to be what she imagines herself to be in her dreams. When she is playing by a stream in the mud, she is really thinking that she is a pretty mermaid diving deep into the ocean to find treasure. Laurie Barrows just has an amazing imagination and she has filled the pages to the brim with art, art and more art. This is truly one of those books you can read and read and never see everything on every page. Each time your child reads this book, they will be delighted to discover new aspects of the pictures.
Of course, no one else realizes that Megan is living in her own little world and so they don't appreciate her free-spirited and joyful attitude to life. Finally, she starts to get very discouraged and the scenes change to Megan wandering through her day discouraged and alone. Laurie Barrows captures the loneliness and dejection Megan feels and finally her mother asks her if she is having a bad day. The next scenes are so endearing as Megan and her mother have a conversation about why everyone wants Megan to be different than she is.
"Well, sometimes people forget what it's like to be a kid. Even other kids can forget what it's like to be a kid," Megan's mother answers.
As Megan and her mother sit on a garden bench, Megan's mother explains the entire situation and reassures Megan that she loves her just the way she is.
"But Megan, I love your dreams. I love your energy. And even though I get tired sometimes and can get crabby, I wouldn't change you. I love you just the way you are."
Once Megan realizes that at least one person loves her just for being herself, she is back to being her imaginative, impulsive, creative, free-spirited self.
Karen Gedig Burnett has lovingly penned the words and her story is beautiful and teaches children to love themselves for who they are and to accept other people for who they are. This story also teaches us to love people unconditionally and to encourage them in their dreams.
This is Karen Gedig Burnett's fourth book. She has spent twenty years as a school counselor and her stories are now helping children throughout the world. Karen's books are for children of all ages. She is known for developing plays, stories and programs to help children learn how to handle life's challenges.
I truly hope Karen Gedig Burnett (a.k.a. Grandma Rose) keeps writing children's books. These are truly books children will love and they help parents and teachers to teach kindness and understanding. "The Magical, Marvelous Megan G. Beamer" is a story that remains in your heart and the message is eternal. We all want to be accepted and loved. When we are loved for who we truly are, we can reach beyond our dreams and become more than we thought we could ever be.
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