During one of my very often moments of Facebook scrolling, up pops a picture of an adorable kids book under the ‘Suggestion’ category. The book cover looked adorable, so I checked it out in more detail.
This book, Grandma Jeanie Beanie and the Love Names, was written by Kathy Bingle, a resident of Beaver! I was able to talk to her and get a copy of her book for the Beaverhausen kids (which they loved, by the way). As soon as we read it, I knew that I wanted to write about her and let the YBC readers in on her book, too.
Meet Kathy Bingle
Kathy is a very sweet woman. You know, I have noticed that most of the people I write about have that same trait. It must be a Beaver County thing! Her middle name is Jean, and her husband calls her Jeanie Beanie, so this is where the “Jeanie Beanie” title comes from. She said that this whole idea started out because of her own grandma, who she called her “Gran.”
Her gran always had cute names for Kathy growing up. This made her feel so much joy as a child, and now as an adult and a grandma herself, it makes her feel even more joy remembering her grandma everyday and passing along those fun names to her own granddaughter, Elizabeth.
The book made me think of my own grandma, and how much I hope to be like her myself one day. My grandma and I used to play bingo together, and she would sneak me ice cream without my parents knowing. I have such amazing memories of her, and when I am a grandma, I can’t wait to do the same things with my grandkids (one day in the very, very far off future)!
Meet Terri Steppe
The children book illustrators, Terri Steppe. Terri and Kathy have known each other since the first grade, so when Kathy had the book written out and needed an illustrator, she knew exactly where to go. Terri is a doctor now but she does the adorable illustrations for Kathy on the side.
Check Out the Book
We started listing out the Beaverhausen love names so that we can always remember them! So far we have Doodle, Tweets, KaitieCat and Calnado (and, you know, Knucklehead #1 and Knucklehead #2 – lovingly, of course). This will be a great book to keep and pass down when your kids or grandkids have their own kids.
There is a second Grandma Jeanie Beanie book in the hands of Terri right now, and will be getting released as soon as the drawings are all complete. This one is called Grandma Jeanie Beanie and the “Love To-Do” List. Another warm and fuzzy book to read with the smalls in your life.
It is so nice to have a book that doesn’t try to tackle any topics other than feeling joy and love. Kathy told me that “These books are all about letting kids be kids. What we all need is love; let it be in all that you do and say.” I love this message! There is a third book being written now and Kathy plans on a whole series of books with the name “love” in all of the titles. Love all of this love!
You can order a copy of the first Grandma Jeanie Beanie book now directly through Amazon, as well as the future copies once they are published. Be sure to check it out and support a local author!
