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Kent,
I agree with previous comments and would suggest using a telephoto lens to avoid the size distortion from larger head to smaller feet. (I use the telephoto for head and shoulder shots as well to avoid a big nose/small ear situation) Allowing that a child has a larger head to body ratio than an adult to begin with, it's easy to make the figure "top heavy".
I am currently wrestling with a portrait of a young girl holding a book to her breast and find her hand too big if painted true to life then again seeming tiny with an ever so small reduction.
The upper left background shows an exciting and interesting background but doesn't work with the painting technique of the figure and rest of the background. I respond favorably to that kind of brush work and my bias is toward the painterly and impressionistic styles. You might want to try some portraits with a freer style. It may help you broaden the range of skin tones as well.
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