Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
23rd out of 33 books
—
16 voters
The Red Balloon
A magical book that has become an enduringchildren's classic, The Red Balloon is the story of ayoung boy and his best friend--a bright red balloon.Chock-full of photographs of the boy, the balloonand the captivating city of Paris.
A NewYork Times Best Illustrated Children'sBook of the Year....more
A NewYork Times Best Illustrated Children'sBook of the Year....more
Paperback, 48 pages
Published
July 18th 1978
by Doubleday Books for Young Readers
(first published 1920)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
423)
"The Red Balloon" is a fanciful picture book that captures the imagination of primary readers. The book tells the story of a lonely little boy, Pascal who becomes friends with a big red balloon. They have many adventures on the streets of Paris. The strength of their friendship is tested and proved to be true. I gave the book a 4-star rating for several reasons. The pictures are beautiful still photographs taken from a film entitled "The Red Balloon" that was produced in 1956. Many of them are b...more
“The Red Balloon” is actually a French film short that was released in the 1950’s. I saw the film a few years ago but did not remember much from it. Reading the book brought back memories of the film.
I loved this book. I love the relationship between Pascal and his friend the red balloon. The balloon is an inanimate character that has animate qualities. The balloon accompanies Pascal everywhere and often lands him in a lot of trouble. The story is told with humor and sensitivity. I predict chil...more
I loved this book. I love the relationship between Pascal and his friend the red balloon. The balloon is an inanimate character that has animate qualities. The balloon accompanies Pascal everywhere and often lands him in a lot of trouble. The story is told with humor and sensitivity. I predict chil...more
view 1 comment
I got this book 29 years ago from my forner mother in law when I began my student teachinbg assignment with Kindergarteners. it had belonged to my former husband and she said it had been one of his favorites. Well, one day I brought a blown up red balloon (helium) to school inside of a box (I called it my magic box) and sat the children down at circle time. I told them that something very special was inside of the box and had them guess. When I opened the box and the balloon popped our everyone...more
I'm not sure why I bought and read this book. Mastery over trauma? Because when I was in elementary school, whenever it rained and we couldn't go outside into the play yard for the bulk of our lunch period, they'd herd us all into the auditorium, and show us the film The Red Balloon. To me, it was a sad story about loss whose ending did not console me at all. Ah well.
I remember watching the short film when I was still little, living in Japan with Mum and brother. Sure most in my age group found it boing, dull and too sad for their tastes.
But it greatly peaked my interest. I loved the quietness of the film and that you had to WATCH and come up with your own dialogue to understand what was going on. Got your imagination going.
I remember being over the Moon when Mum brought this book home. The pages upon pages of photography gripped my little mind like a vice....more
But it greatly peaked my interest. I loved the quietness of the film and that you had to WATCH and come up with your own dialogue to understand what was going on. Got your imagination going.
I remember being over the Moon when Mum brought this book home. The pages upon pages of photography gripped my little mind like a vice....more
My favorite book from childhood.
ISBN 0385142978 - I owned a copy of this book for many years before I ever read it. I'm not sure why, beside that my son just wasn't very interested in it, other than to periodically peek at the photos. It's a wonderful story!
Pascal is lonely. He has brought home strays in the past, but his mother doesn't want them bringing dirt into her house, so they have been put right back out. When he comes across a red balloon, he has no idea that it is magic - and soon to become his best friend! When his...more
Pascal is lonely. He has brought home strays in the past, but his mother doesn't want them bringing dirt into her house, so they have been put right back out. When he comes across a red balloon, he has no idea that it is magic - and soon to become his best friend! When his...more
This is the first book I ever read in the school library that wasn't on the shorter shelves specifically for kids. I remember asking the librarian to take it off the shelf for me in first grade because I couldn't reach it. I don't really remember anything about this book except that I loved it. I should find a copy and revisit it now, 23 years later
this book is a little boaring.
its sad and funny at the same time. it depends on how you look at it.'
there are a lot pictures in here and not words.
its a book about a boy and his red balloon and how it keeps coming back to him.
its sad and funny at the same time. it depends on how you look at it.'
there are a lot pictures in here and not words.
its a book about a boy and his red balloon and how it keeps coming back to him.
This is a book where the illustrations are primarily black and white pictures with just a few color pictures. I enjoyed the story although it was longer than I expected.
I remember watching this French film in elementary school multiple times on old film reel. I loved it then and the story, film, and book are still beautiful now.
All you've ever wanted to know about a mischievous yet loyal Parisian balloon, and it's most unfortunate demise.
Great for the child who loves a good tragedy.
Great for the child who loves a good tragedy.
This French version of the book was given to me by uncle and aunt, who very kindly provided a written translation as well. It's lovely.
We watched the movie in french class. It was pretty good. And they didn't talk much so we pretty much understood what happened.
This is a good read-aloud but needs to be paced well. It worked to read it over two class visits.
The movie is phenomenal. The book is for kids (and grown ups) who love the movie.
Great for Americans like me who read, write and speak baby French. The movie is a gem.
Every elementary school child should read this book. What an uplifting story.
The Red Balloon (Oberon Book) by Albert Lamorisse (2000)
about a little boys love for a red balloon
This book started my love affair with Paris.
May 15, 2009
Katherine
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-with-my-children
Joey (3) is fascinated by this book right now.
J'adore ce livre! C'est très mignon.
I can think of only two movies that are BETTER than the books--and this is one of them! The movie is 5 stars. It's a family favorite. (I think that the book was made from stills from the movie.)
(The other "movie is better than the book" is "2001, A Space Odyssey--another rare "the-movie-came-first".)
(The other "movie is better than the book" is "2001, A Space Odyssey--another rare "the-movie-came-first".)
I think I saw this movie about 2,312 times in elementary school. Those frequent viewings soured me somewhat, lessening my appreciation of the book. The story is very simple and brief, told more through pictures than words. C'est vrai!
This is a weird book. I think I would have liked it a lot as a kid. Or been freaked out by it. Either way.
This is the best children's book of all time. See the movie too! Not just because I was named after the main character!
My grandma used to read this to me... I just recently found it for the girls. So many memories!
One of my favorite children's films of all time...in book form.
I saw this movie in college. It's wonderful!! Go rent it today!
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
