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A Balloon for Isabel
by
Deborah Underwood (Goodreads Author),
Laura Rankin
Balloons are bright and floaty and shiny and perfect.
More than anything else in the whole wide world, Isabel wants a balloon. Everyone will get one on Graduation Day--everyone except the porcupines, because Porcupines + Balloons = Trouble
But Isabel isn't going to settle for another boring bookmark. She has a plan. . . .
More than anything else in the whole wide world, Isabel wants a balloon. Everyone will get one on Graduation Day--everyone except the porcupines, because Porcupines + Balloons = Trouble
But Isabel isn't going to settle for another boring bookmark. She has a plan. . . .
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
April 27th 2010
by Greenwillow Books
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Graduation from Kindergarten is just two days away, and Isabel is determined to have a balloon. All the other graduates will have balloons, but not the porcupines - it isn't safe for a porcupine to hold a balloon. Isabel's determination and creativity bring about a delightful resolution to this problem.
This book is just delightful. The illustrations perfectly complement the sweet, fast-paced, completely fun text. I love that Isabel doesn't give up - she is determined to have a balloon! And she i...more
This book is just delightful. The illustrations perfectly complement the sweet, fast-paced, completely fun text. I love that Isabel doesn't give up - she is determined to have a balloon! And she i...more
Jan 12, 2011
June
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone
Recommended to June by:
Cap Choices
This is my favorite picture book for this year. I think it would be wonderful for a strong female story time for March. I was just entranced by Isabel. Her planning, perseverance, and imagination are heartwarming. The writing is perfect from the "No fair" that begins the story. The tone "Isabel wanted a balloon more than anything" is perfect for the picture book crowd. The solution will please everyone.
1 like · like · see review
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Do your children ever feel doomed by impossible rules? Or are they the sort who will do anything to come up with a creative solution? Isabel is a determined optimist. A Balloon for Isabel brought a smile to my face and brightened my day. This is perfect for a birthday or end-of-year treat, either for a sunny optimist or a little kid who needs some encouragement. It will bring sweet laughter, reminding us all that a little creative thinking will solve the prickliest of problems.
Isabel's school ha...more
Isabel's school ha...more
A porcupine wanting a balloon!? This book had me laughing out loud! The pictures that go with the words are hilarious and will definitely keep young children engaged. Isabel is a porcupine and is jealous when the other animals at school get balloons for graduation. Her teacher, Ms. Quill, tells her that it is trouble for porcupines to have balloons. Isabel and her friends try to devise a plan so that they can have balloons too, but all the silly ideas they have keep back firing. Will Isabel be t...more
I love this book it is a fun book to read. This book is about two porcupines who wish to have a balloon for their graduation. But since they are all spikey and prickley they are not allow to have balloon but rather bookmark. They tried and tried to asked their teacher to have a balloon but the teacher said no. One day they came up with an idea to use gumdrops and stick it on teach of their thorn to stop it from poking the balloon. Finally Mrs. Quill agree to give them the balloon. This is a fun...more
Oct 16, 2010
Jess Brown
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
animals,
graduation,
early-elementary,
childrens-lit,
picture-book,
preschool,
school,
read-aloud
All Isabel wants is a balloon for graduation like all the other animals receive. The reason she can't have one? She's a porcupine, and balloons always pop around a spiky porcupine. In this sweet story, Isabel tries several clever plans (wearing a box, pillows, and bubble wrap) to cover up her quills and be bubble-proof. In the end she devises a smart plan and everyone winds up happy. Great for preschoolers or early elementary kids; perhaps even appropriate during kindergarten graduations.
Summary: As graduation day approaches, Isabel tries to convince her teacher that she and Walter, both porcupines, should receive balloons on the big day just like the other children.
Cute. Isabel comes up with a clever solution. Fun, twist ending. Good for teaching feelings and acceptance, and also prediction and problem solving.
Cute. Isabel comes up with a clever solution. Fun, twist ending. Good for teaching feelings and acceptance, and also prediction and problem solving.
Porcupines + balloons = trouble, but that's not going to stop Isabel and her porcupine friends from achieving their dream of getting graduation balloons with the rest of their classmates. A precious (and prickly) picture book that is not to be missed!
-Lindsey D.-
-Lindsey D.-
As graduation day approaches, Isabel tries to convince her teacher that she and Walter, both porcupines, should receive balloons on the big day just like the other children. She is very resourceful and there are some funny situations but there is quit some text
Washington Children's choice picture book award nominee 2012
Washington Children's choice picture book award nominee 2012
What do you do about balloons when you are a porcupine?! The other animals can have balloons for their kindergarten graduation but the porcupines get bookmarks. The story shows what a little creativity can do in making Isabel's dream come true. Fun illustrations.
Isabel wants to change a silly rule at her school. All children should get to release a balloon on the last day of school, no matter what species they are. Her creative and determined spirit is a good example of how to get results in a positive way.
Isabel, a porcupine, is not happy with a bookmark gift of graduation. She wants a balloon like the others in her calls. The gumdrops on quills work and the teacher is very happy as well. This story reinforces problem solving skills to find solutions.
This very fun and colorful book highlights Isabel's creativity as she tries to solve a problem, namely a problem with quills and balloons. A laugh out loud, delightful book that celebrates creativity and problem solving.
What a cute book! I love Isabel and her creative solution to her balloon problem. This makes me wish I taught kindergarten so I could read this aloud to them! :)
The porcupines are the only class not given balloons at graduation - they only get bookmarks again. See how Isabel solves the balloon-popping problem. A really fun read.
Sharp quills keep the soon-to-be graduation a bummer for the porcupines of the class until a quick thinking classmate saves the day for all...even Mrs. Quills.
Isabel is a porcupine that really wants to hold a balloon for graduation, but the porcupines aren't allowed to. Isabel's solution is creative and comical.
Have you ever felt bad for a porcupine? You will. Then you'll celebrate Isabel's creativity and problem-solving skills. I nominate it for a Caldecott award.
Very cute! You know that Isabel will get a balloon but not HOW she will manage it. Would make a cute read aloud just before kindergarten graduation.
This was a very cute book, however it seemed over the heads of my preschoolers. However, the parents seemed to enjoy it!
Such a fun and endearing story about a porcupine that persevered to make sure they could have a balloon for graduation. Loved the unexpected ending.
A very clever story idea by Deborah Underwood and beautiful, fun, detailed art by Laura Rankin. Always like a girl with a PLAN!
Cute, cute story and great illustrations. My son wanted to read this one over and over and had a lot of questions about it.
1st & 2nd Read-Aloud: Great book that the kids loved! We discussed fiction vs. nonfiction and made predictions.
creative problem solving, porcupines, balloons, achievement rewards, perserverance, overcoming handicaps
Although porcupines are not allowed to have balloons, clever Isabel devises a plan to procure one on Graduation Day.
Balloons are fun. Books lesson: finding a solution to a problem. Try, try again.
This is a great vehicle to introduce problem solving to young students.
Persistance pays off for the porcupine who just wants a balloon already.
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