Doug,

GP's are great for kids, but I've found that the anthropometric guidelines don't work so well for kids in part because they have rather different body proportions than adults. Also, they are probably also paddling kayaks that are much wider than those guidlines presume for the adult paddler, and thus needing a bit more paddle length to accomodate this. And, finally, these kids have that nasty habit of growing which would mean that you should have probably start with a paddle that has a some growth allowance, and then go carve another one -- they're quick to carve and wood is cheap.
Depending on the kid's age/size, I think the paddles our kids gravitate to are maybe ~4"-6" longer than their overhead reach and somewhere in the vicinity of 2"-2.5" blade width.

-John

: Roger - I love the picture! I can't wait to get my daughter's boat finished
: and on the water.

: How long is that GP paddle and how big is your son? I need to sort something
: for a paddle for my daughter. I originally had bought her a Bending
: Branches kid's paddle (Cattail), but even that is WAY too big.