Specifics
Where Do Balloons Go? An Uplifting Mystery, by Jamie Lee Curtis, Illustrated by Laura Cornell
Published by Joanna Cotler Books, 2000
Target Audience
Lexile level AD230L
This book is for younger ages, kindergarten to third grade
Summary
This book is pretty much just wondering what balloons do when they get lost in the sky. The character wonders if they go to visit different places, if they meet up with each other and party, and if they worry about popping or about the child that lost the balloon. At the end, the character advises the reader to, "just hold on tight till you have to let go." And then there are pictures of postcards, with a big purple balloon (the one the character lost) in all kinds of different places around the world.
Evaluation
I thought this book was the cutest thing ever, because who doesn't wonder about where balloons go? The character of the little boy wondering about his balloon fit this story perfectly, and he seemed very real, because I think this is exactly where a child's active imagination would go when thinking about lost balloons. The message about holding on tight until there is a time to let go is important, especially because in childhood, there may be a time to let go of some things. I felt like I was in the shoes of the little boy exactly while reading this book, wondering about all of the balloons let go to the sky.
Lesson
The lesson for this book will have to do with the way Curtis rhymes all of her lines, using assonance. The personification of each of the balloons in this text will have to be talked about, because balloons can't really dance with each other, or read the words printed on other balloons. the puns in this book will be pointed out. I would like to have each student say where they think balloons go, before reading the text, whether it be out loud to the class or in a writing prompt. This is a good way to get students to use their imaginations and think about something that everyone wonders about, even as adults.
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