Balloon Tree

by J. Gilman

While her father is away, Princess Leora becomes vulnerable to her jealous uncle, who attempts to destroy the princess's magic signal balloons that are protecting her from harm. "Don't worry," said Princess Leora's father just before he left for the tournament. "If anything goes wrong, release a bunch of balloons from the castle tower. Wherever I am, I will see them and come home right away." Now, something is wrong'very wrong. Princess Leora's grumpy uncle, the Archduke, wants to be king, and the very first thing he does is pop every balloon in the kingdom. Princess Leora is afraid, but she doesn't give up. If she can find just one whole balloon, the kingdom will be saved! full-color illustrations

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction, Canada, Fairy Tales, Classics

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Kimikimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book! In fact I remember that I adored this book, but in the years between I had forgotten it completely until a chance mention reminded me again. Since I work in a library I ran to the shelves, grabbed it and read it again.

This book is charming and whimsical and I would read it to every child, but especially a girl child because it doesn't talk about being pretty or wearing pink or etc. Leona just is a child and she goes out and fixes a mess that a grown adult made to make her home better. I still love this book and I love the illustrations and I'm going to buy one to read to my nephews.

P.S. The illustrations are really great, they harken back to medieval and Renaissance paintings and manuscripts. Just lovely and rich in colour and detail.

[CaseyTheCanadianLesbrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fond memories of this book from when I was a kid and it totally holds up today. Imaginative and funny and great illustrations.

[Laur · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up reading this magical book, and decided to pick it up again.
So delightful! I love the creativity and the vibrancy. Can just imagine it as a Disney movie. Hehe.

[C. (Don't blank click my reviews, comment please! · Rating 4 out of 5]

"L'Arbre Aux Ballons" seemed sweet to have in French. I did not know Phoebe Gilman is Canadian by choice, artist of her books, and that "The Balloon Tree", 1984, is beloved in English. Children's books aren't churned out! Phoebe's success story was about labouring over her tale and vibrantly-expressive, detailed, unique, colour-enriched drawings for 15 years! Her eldest child, Ingrid, lamented her balloon popping on a branch. She was inspired to write after wishing trees could yield new balloons. She got other books published but forged through that long wait, to bring us her first one.

Realism matters less than the bravery, heart, intelligence, creativity, and loyalty that play out. Her village loves balloons but Leora is entrusted to an uncle who does not. Her Father was on an out-of-town trip. I could critique that it was brief but taking action was pivotal. The unsavoury uncle ordered soldiers to clear out balloons. Floating balloons was the way she was told to signal for help from her Father. She certainly could have played in her gorgeous room and castle and waited him out. Her determination to ask a wizard for a solution via spell is the magical, original trait of Phoebe's story for her children.

Her refusal to shrink from aggressors or wrongdoing is inspiring. I love her schlep through her village seeking spare balloons. Perhaps because my copy and first reading are not in my own language, the art is my favourite element. Leora queries a broad variety of people and impressive abundance of stores, with pets peeking along the way. I appreciated everything better by reading about Phoebe first and will definitely collect her oeuvres. I am sorry she died at 62 in 2002 and am very glad to acquaint her. Her write-up clearly identifies a loveable, warm person.

[Nina Arce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend gifted me this book as it was one of her childhood favourites - and I can see why. Beautifully illustrated, cute and with a quirky story featuring a capable young princess who saves not just the day, but the kingdom! This would have been right up my alley when I was a kid as well - and, to be quite honest, it still is.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Moon balloon, moon balloon, tickle the tree.
Four balloons, more balloons, blossom for me."

Little girls especially love the adventure of Princess Liora and her little dog. The illustrations are beautiful, and it is one of the many legacies that Phoebe Gilman has left behind.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much childhood nostalgia for this book. I won it in second grade as a book award for my class. The illustrations are so beautiful, and the story is pure magic.

[Nikky3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many years of love I have had for this book and it is still a wonderful read.

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the medieval vibe of the art in this one.

[Maki · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books by Phoebe Gilman! Very creative!

[Jacqueline Mudge-Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites when I was a kid. Even if I didn't have that book in my shelf at home. (I had other books by Ms. Gilman back then) It's always nice to go back and read what you have enjoyed. In a world where it's not common to see a princess save her kingdom, it's even rarer to do it without picking up a sword and shield. Which makes it even more of a treasure to me, for this is a rare find.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my favourtie books as a kid. I would ask my mom to read it to me again and again. There are wonderful illustrations and a truly magical story.
Read it to your kids! They will love it!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was always my favourite book growing up. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is perfect, and I don't say that lightly. It was a wonderful, unique, different fairytale. I still love it.

[Bookslut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was nice because it's an actual fairytale, instead of a spin-off fairytale or a fairytale with a twist that makes it funny, or ironic, or modern. It's nice to find a book that is just a fairytale. The girls loved it. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A "new" take on the trite theme of 'princess saved by knight in shining armour", in this case the princess and 'knight' are both children.

Additionally, you should NEVER release balloons into the air. They destroy habitat and kill wildlife.

[Lucy Winnowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must have read this book 50 times when I was little. I loved just pouring over the beautiful pictures, imagining myself the Princess...

[Jasmine P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book at school and have been looking everywhere to buy a copy. Illustrations are beautiful.

[Alicia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite childhood stories. Ever since I read this book, i have been so fascinated with secret passageways

[Thebruce1314 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple tale, that sounds a little familiar with the exception of the balloons. Beautiful, colourful illustrations make the story stand out.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite childhood story books. The story is lovely and the illustrations are fabulous.

[Val Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the books I read as a (smaller) child, this one particularly stuck out in my mind. When I was cleaning out my bookshelf of such books meant for smaller children, I reread a small pile that I had set aside and decided what I would do with them. The Balloon Tree was the only one that was in that small pile and I decided to keep.

The book itself is very imaginative. I really like the idea of Leora having a wizard friend accessible by swirling staircase behind a curtain in her bedroom.

[Kali Hilliard · Rating 3 out of 5]

4-6; modern fantasy; The moral of the story is a huge awakening for parents in the aspect of teaching their kids what to do in dangerous scenarios (kidnapped). Now not necessarily from the way it happened in the book, but the valuable lesson is there.

[Faith Morakinyo]

Without a doubt one of the best books I've ever seen.

[Jessica Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found and read this book again recently and count it among my favourites. The story and the imagery still inspire me to this day.

[bela · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my absolute favourite bed time stories when I was little

[Jyothy Peter]

Interesting book for children

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with my 5-year-old and she loved it! Definitely a cute little fairy tale for the regular bedtime rotation!

[Amy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saw this at the library and it brought back all the memories of reading this as a child! It was special to share it with my youngest.

[Alicia Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty magical. A familiar fairytale storyline - evil uncle tries to usurp the throne while the king is away but it thwarted by the fortitude of a courageous child - that is refreshing rather than tiresome. The illustrations are fantastic. A balloon tree?! Unless your kid has a latex allergy this book is a whimsical winner.