Ben Balloon and Friends is a collection of children's verse, sometimes whimsical, sometimes funny, always fun to read, for children of all ages.

Mary Bowyer has been writing poetry and stories since the age of six. She has published several poems in magazines including Pegasus Review. She also published a book of children's verse called Tony Turtle and Friends. Two of the verses in that book were selected to be read over the radio as part of a children's hour. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son. Along with writing, she composes music and has performed at nursing and rehabilitation homes.