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Ball & Balloon
by
A ball must learn to deal with his envy when a floating balloon has him feeling down in this simple and relatable story that reminds little ones that being different is what makes you special.
Balloon can soar, he can fly, he can dip, duck, and hover—all on his own.
Balloon is full of gas. He knows it, too. It makes Ball feel grounded by gravity.
Balloon is super special. W ...more
Balloon can soar, he can fly, he can dip, duck, and hover—all on his own.
Balloon is full of gas. He knows it, too. It makes Ball feel grounded by gravity.
Balloon is super special. W ...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
August 27th 2019
by Margaret K. McElderry Books
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Gifted to my kiddos by my lovely friend Kristin. <3
This book is simple, but cute. Ball is feeling the effects of gravity. It's jealous of balloon. Eventually, a child comes along and solves the problems. Ball realizes being itself is fun. Being a balloon has its downside. This was the favorite of the books I read to Alena today. She loves balls and balloons, so this was great for her.
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Nov 04, 2019
Relyn
rated it
liked it
Recommended to Relyn by:
Sent to me by the publisher for Show Me nominee consideration.
A bouncy little fable about being happy with who you are and what you can do.
For: readers looking for a book about appreciating oneself and finding strengths in others.
Possible red flags: feeling sad/left out.
Possible red flags: feeling sad/left out.
Oct 29, 2019
Jason
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
picture-books,
storytime-perhaps,
two-readers,
gratitude,
balloons,
balls,
comparing,
contentment,
compassion
Funny and sweet story about appreciating who you are and your unique skills/abilities. I LOLed several times. It might take some wrangling, but I think it could work as a two voice readaloud for storytime.
Sometimes it seems that others have it so much better than everyone else, and that can leave people feeling down and like they're not good enough. Balloon is so light and able to fly high above everyone else. Ball wishes he weren't so earth bound. But it turns out that, with the help of others, ball is able to fly and roll and do all sorts of things. I like that when Balloon starts to feel deflated, Ball doesn't leave him behind. We're all meant to be in relationship and community with others an
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Sep 17, 2020
Melanie
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
picture-book,
individuality,
children-s-literature,
playing,
balls,
jealousy,
envy,
balloons
A rather dry story of a ball and a balloon. Ball initially envies Balloon because he can defy gravity. When he tries, Ball can't even roll or bounce. But when a child picks Ball up, he begins to soar, bounce and roll. Now Balloon is jealous and feeling left out. Ball makes sure he gets picked up so he's not left alone.
Great concept, just not done well. I'm not sure if the idea is science: the balloon is free of gravity's pull, but the ball must have force acted upon it??? Or is it a "concentrate ...more
Great concept, just not done well. I'm not sure if the idea is science: the balloon is free of gravity's pull, but the ball must have force acted upon it??? Or is it a "concentrate ...more
An "it's okay to be different" book about how we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, Ball & Balloon felt unexceptional to me. While potentially useful for an elementary crew to make discussions about gravity/helium engaging, I wouldn't use this for a storytime crowd when there are books out there which use human characters to talk about being different, an approach which younger listeners would find easier to identify with.
...more
I loved the art in this and the concept. Who couldn't love the dodgeball? It's a story about finding your place and understanding your strengths and being happy in your niche and a bit about friendship. I am not overly fond of inanimate object stories. This one surprised me with it's plot and while it wasn't earth-shaking, I think it's a decent kids' read. Except for the art, DEFINITELY way above decent. I could look at those illustrations over and over.
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Balloon is really an asshole. He's very mean to Ball. I did not like that at all. How was balloon able to move on his own and ball couldn't? Wind? If it's helium, then see ya, but if it's just air, how is he flying with no one helping him? Not realistic, not, in my mind, a good example of "I like myself."
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What a cute and wonderful book! The illustrations are wonderful, the story gives you "the feels" (at least for me), and it's a sweet story about being grateful of who are you and appreciating yourself. You're awesome just the way you are!
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This is one of those that I'll hand over to our amazing GRC teachers for a STEM lesson. I can see lots of nice tie-ins with science activities, but it needs a little something like that to make it a compelling read.
...more
Simple story with the message that being different is what makes you special.
I laughed probably more than I should have ;-)
Maybe it's just gas, but this book made me feel all warm inside! ;)
...more
A super cute book about a ball that really wants to float like a balloon. Teaches an important lesson that everyone has a strength and uniqueness should be celebrated.
There are blessings in every circumstance, I suppose.
Cute story and made me laugh. Good read-aloud for 4-7 y/o.
A ball is envious of a balloon because of all the things the balloon can do, not realizing all the things HE can do that the balloon can't.
...more
Sweet
Good for those with various emotional needs.
A ball and balloon spend the day playing and being jealous of one another. Can they find a way to be friends? Preschool and up
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Being different is A-OK!
3 stars for this one
Loved! So sweet!
Ball wishes they could be like balloon and fly, but discover their own kind of magic.
Cuuuuuuuute. The innate qualities we have can be disappointing when compared with others, but they let you be you
Storytime:
Friendship
Friendship
cute but not amazing
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