Welcome to Gypsie Bird!
Please bear with us as we’re under construction. More children’s books (including an audio book), school visit information, and more coming soon!
The purpose of this page is to let people know about creative things I’m doing that aren’t regular songwriter projects ~ starting with my first children’s book (that comes with a 5 song CD) that I’ve been working on for quite awhile. I’m very happy to have it finished and available!
2016 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award winner!
The Book
‘Henny & Benny Bunyan and the Maple Syrup Adventure’ is the first in a series I’m calling Northwoods Kids. Henny and Benny are brothers, distant relatives (twice removed and once returned!) of the famous legendary lumberman Paul Bunyan, and they live in the little logging town of Pineville, somewhere near the Great Pasty Mountains. Although it might seem like it, Pineville isn’t in Michigan, just ‘someplace up north.’
The story is about a flapjack contest, the Whoopie Howdy Super Supreme Sled, a recipe gone wrong, an unusually hot spring day, and a possible disaster for Pineville. Uh-oh ~ can Henny and his friends save the town??
The 40 page full-color book is illustrated by Pinckney, Michigan artist Lori Taylor, and it comes with a CD in the back with songs about maple syrup and logging. It’s for ages 5 ~11 and all young~at~heart folks who enjoy a good tale. You can read more about Lori here at www.loritaylorart.com.
Early Reviews
“original and fun, and I love the music!”
– National multi-award-winning children’s author Shutta Crum
“I LOVE your book! It’s really just perfect. The illustrations – perfect; the music on the accompanying CD – perfect; the story – priceless. Big-hearted Congratulations! Can hardly wait to read the book to my grandkids, but I’ll have to get another copy for them – I’m keeping mine!”
– Children’s performer Wanda Degen
“I gave your book to my neighbors kids and they love it! I’m getting more for Christmas gifts.”
– Happy Customer, Lansing
The Music
Since I’m a musician I wanted to include some songs with the book that tie into the theme of logging and maple syrup, and the music was performed by me and my friends Doug Berch, David Mosher and Len Wallace. There are 4 songs to sing along to and 1 French-Canadian tune that will keep your toes tapping. You can listen to a bit of the music here…
Here’s how you can get a copy (or many copies) of ‘Henny and Benny Bunyan and the Maple Syrup Adventure’.
Each book w/CD $14.95 + tax (Michigan Residents) + shipping.
Or mail a check or money order for total amount to:
Gypsie Bird
PO Box 3070
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
GIFT PACKAGE containing the book with CD plus a 3.2 oz unbreakable jug of Michigan maple syrup and a wooden spoon.
Your little lumberjacks can read the book, listen to the music, mix up their own pancakes and dance in the kitchen!
Each book w/CD $25 + tax (Michigan Residents) + shipping.
To order multiple gift boxes contact Kitty for shipping costs.
Email: kitdonohoe@aol.com
Contact Gypsie Bird Press
If you have some comments or thoughts, please email through this box and I’ll respond as soon as I can. You can also join a Gypsie Bird mailing list (which I will not ever give away or sell to anyone else) if you’d like to hear about upcoming Gypsie Bird items.