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Ballyhoo Bay
A joyous tale of protecting the environment for ages 4 to 8.
Welcome to Ballyhoo Bay, where Mira Bella the artist teaches painting and sculpture to grannies and kids. Sun, sea, sand, and sky - what could be more fun?
Until one gray day a billboard goes up, announcing a high-rise building and all kinds of stuff. No more sand or seashells or painting or fun. And absolutely no children and wildlife allowed.
Mira Bella is not one to take this plan lightly. But despite Mira Bella's conviction, can art save Ballyhoo Bay?
Mom's Choice Award winner and E.B. White Read Aloud Award recipient Judy Sierra has created a modern fable for the ages, celebrating art, nature, and community. Derek Anderson's vibrant and buoyant illustrations are as close as you can get to a day at the beach without actually being there.
Come put your toes in the sand at Ballyhoo Beach!
Welcome to Ballyhoo Bay, where Mira Bella the artist teaches painting and sculpture to grannies and kids. Sun, sea, sand, and sky - what could be more fun?
Until one gray day a billboard goes up, announcing a high-rise building and all kinds of stuff. No more sand or seashells or painting or fun. And absolutely no children and wildlife allowed.
Mira Bella is not one to take this plan lightly. But despite Mira Bella's conviction, can art save Ballyhoo Bay?
Mom's Choice Award winner and E.B. White Read Aloud Award recipient Judy Sierra has created a modern fable for the ages, celebrating art, nature, and community. Derek Anderson's vibrant and buoyant illustrations are as close as you can get to a day at the beach without actually being there.
Come put your toes in the sand at Ballyhoo Beach!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 16, 2017
This book was a cute children's book with the amazing message of taking care of the environment and fighting for what you want. Also, this book was bilingual with English and Spanish.
March 12, 2009
Every Saturday, Mira Bella taught art classes on Ballyhoo Beach. She taught grandmothers, babies, squids, seagulls, crabs, otters, and seals. The Ballyhoo Art Fair was about to be held, until one dreadful day where a billboard announced that instead of a beach there would soon be penthouse apartments and a casino. But Mira Bella refused to stop, she gathered everyone together to create a Plan B and save the beach! They headed to the city hall with banners and signs. When all of them raised their voices together something wonderful happened at Ballyhoo Bay.
Put art and activism together in a picture book and you have one that I will cheer for. Add the clever rhymes and silliness of Judy Sierra coupled with the bright and funny illustrations by Anderson and you have something worthy of a demonstration of your own. This is a great testament to the power of art, the freedom of speech and the necessity of standing up for what is important to you.
Share this one with art teachers in your schools. Children will also love it because of its humor and style. It is a breeze to read aloud because Sierra writes to be shared. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
Put art and activism together in a picture book and you have one that I will cheer for. Add the clever rhymes and silliness of Judy Sierra coupled with the bright and funny illustrations by Anderson and you have something worthy of a demonstration of your own. This is a great testament to the power of art, the freedom of speech and the necessity of standing up for what is important to you.
Share this one with art teachers in your schools. Children will also love it because of its humor and style. It is a breeze to read aloud because Sierra writes to be shared. Appropriate for ages 3-6.
May 27, 2017
This a cute rhyming book that I think could be used for an older group. I am using it for a beach themed storytime but the book also offers the theme of cooperating and about saving natural space. The book is about the children's fight to save the beach from becoming apartment buildings.
July 31, 2015
This is a 3.5 star book because the message is good and the illustrations are delightful, but the story and text fall a little flat in places.
May 7, 2019
This edition came from a Cheerios box. I have been going through our things, and letting things we don't need go to places they might be appreciated. My husband came out with a hand full of these books for me, and I decided to read them. I'm thinking of taking them to church to hand out to young children sitting near by, who are having trouble sitting still.
I enjoyed the illustrations in this book, but they were too dark, for the dark printing of the story to show up well. The story tells of a community, who enjoy their beach. People paint pictures there, and sell their art on the beach. The government comes in to improve the beach, and make it appeal to more people, and in so doing they ruin the beach. The citizens work to take back their beach, and bring it back to it's early state.
I enjoyed the illustrations in this book, but they were too dark, for the dark printing of the story to show up well. The story tells of a community, who enjoy their beach. People paint pictures there, and sell their art on the beach. The government comes in to improve the beach, and make it appeal to more people, and in so doing they ruin the beach. The citizens work to take back their beach, and bring it back to it's early state.
May 5, 2018
"We think that Ballyhoo Bay is for everyone, not just for those who can pay."
When land developers decide to turn the beach into penthouse apartments, a parking garage and a casino, Mira Bella, the kids, the grannies and the animals decide to fight back and head to the town council meeting to defend their homes.
When land developers decide to turn the beach into penthouse apartments, a parking garage and a casino, Mira Bella, the kids, the grannies and the animals decide to fight back and head to the town council meeting to defend their homes.
December 4, 2018
This beautifully illustrated book was so good. It introduces our natural environments and how the people lose when we destroy nature. My grandson will love this book because he is an aspiring artist. This book made me water to get out some water colors and paint. It shows what can happen when we come together as a people. I need this as a physical copy.
August 7, 2018
ginger@thebeach
I read this lovely book to my five year old granddaughter for her bedtime story. We loved the cute story. The print could have been a little bit larger. The story was still so good and the pictures are amazing, so a solid five stars!
I read this lovely book to my five year old granddaughter for her bedtime story. We loved the cute story. The print could have been a little bit larger. The story was still so good and the pictures are amazing, so a solid five stars!
March 25, 2017
There's a lot of truth about the darker aspects of politics and the economy and the environment in this one--if only reality had such happy endings.
October 2, 2017
Like be it. It's right up there with Michael Recycle books.
July 22, 2018
A great book that introduces children to activism. What a brilliant way to do it!
July 16, 2020
A group of child artists and animals try to save Ballyhoo Bay from being developed. Great illustrations.
February 15, 2021
A super fun book that encourages us to let our voices be heard when we don't like something that is happening.
February 18, 2017
"Ballyhoo Bay" is about an artist, Mira Bella, who teaches art to all sorts of people and creatures at Ballyhoo Bay. There are plans to build buildings and parking lots over the beach and Mira and her gang decide to save the beach. I read this book to my 5 year old niece and she got bored by it before I was over reading it. I offered to read it to my 2 year old nephew but he looked at it and wasn't interested enough to hear the story. Children older than 5 might enjoy and get the message more.
However, the illustrations in "Ballyhoo Bay" are very nice and are what saves the book. Without them, "Ballyhoo Bay" comes off as a little preachy and a bit dull. The message of saving beaches is great, don't get me wrong, but I think the message could have been handled differently. Overall, it's an okay kids book and I'm sure that some kids will enjoy it but the kids in my family didn't really enjoy it.
*Book received through the Amazon Vine program*
However, the illustrations in "Ballyhoo Bay" are very nice and are what saves the book. Without them, "Ballyhoo Bay" comes off as a little preachy and a bit dull. The message of saving beaches is great, don't get me wrong, but I think the message could have been handled differently. Overall, it's an okay kids book and I'm sure that some kids will enjoy it but the kids in my family didn't really enjoy it.
*Book received through the Amazon Vine program*
October 12, 2012
1. Rating: 5
2. A book review by Children's Literature said, "Every Saturday the artist Mira Bella teaches classes on Ballyhoo Beach not only to the people but to all the resident creatures, from seagulls to squids. Deftly crafted rhyming couplets describe the incredible variety of artistic creations produced. Mira Bella's plans for an Art Fair and recycled Art-Cycle race are abruptly halted, however, when signs appear on the beach announcing the construction of apartments, a casino, and garage. She is determined to protest... Humor drives the action of the rounded but cartoony characters even as they arm for battle."
3. I thought this book was so fun and creative! The story was great and I think it could give kids inspiration to stick up for what they believe is right, even if others don't always agree. The illustrations were also fantastic and I enjoyed each and every page. I would recommend this book to grades 1-3.
2. A book review by Children's Literature said, "Every Saturday the artist Mira Bella teaches classes on Ballyhoo Beach not only to the people but to all the resident creatures, from seagulls to squids. Deftly crafted rhyming couplets describe the incredible variety of artistic creations produced. Mira Bella's plans for an Art Fair and recycled Art-Cycle race are abruptly halted, however, when signs appear on the beach announcing the construction of apartments, a casino, and garage. She is determined to protest... Humor drives the action of the rounded but cartoony characters even as they arm for battle."
3. I thought this book was so fun and creative! The story was great and I think it could give kids inspiration to stick up for what they believe is right, even if others don't always agree. The illustrations were also fantastic and I enjoyed each and every page. I would recommend this book to grades 1-3.
February 10, 2012
This is probably my favorite children's book and was not one I had read before having my own child. I love Judy Sierra! Her books rhyme and this one is like music with a wonderful environmentally conscious message. Mirabella is the art teacher who teaches art to sea creatures, and kids and their grannies! Her beach art classes are threatened when a condominium is going to built on the beach. She rallies the creatures and people to help her save the beach! Of course it's a happy ending and very fun to read! My three year old loves it and mommy and daddy enjoy it too.
May 26, 2010
This is a fun book that combines art, the seashore, a rhyming narrative and an environmental, anti-materialism theme. It has wonderful acrylic paint illustrations with a gorgeous sunset scene at the end. A bit idealistic, it's still a fun read and our girls loved the creatures' artistic creations.
(A free book we got in our box of Cheerios)
(A free book we got in our box of Cheerios)
December 30, 2010
Used for Tons of Fun Heat Wave program May 2010.
Definitely best for older picture book readers due to the language and busy illustrations, I'd recommend this for about 1st through 3rd grade. The Tons of Fun kids enjoyed it and I'd use it for that age group again. Derek Anderson's appealing illustrations are packed with vibrant colors.
Definitely best for older picture book readers due to the language and busy illustrations, I'd recommend this for about 1st through 3rd grade. The Tons of Fun kids enjoyed it and I'd use it for that age group again. Derek Anderson's appealing illustrations are packed with vibrant colors.
June 12, 2014
This is a rhyming book with cute illustrations.
Excerpt from the book:
Every Saturday morning on Ballyhoo Beach,
Mira Bella, the artist, had classes to teach.
She taught etching and sketching to grannies and kids,
and undersea sculpture to swordfish and squids.
All the beach was abuzz with fantastic creations:
The seagulls' collages were trash-art sensations.
Excerpt from the book:
Every Saturday morning on Ballyhoo Beach,
Mira Bella, the artist, had classes to teach.
She taught etching and sketching to grannies and kids,
and undersea sculpture to swordfish and squids.
All the beach was abuzz with fantastic creations:
The seagulls' collages were trash-art sensations.
March 13, 2009
Art teacher at the beach encourages different kinds of art projects that are good for the environment. Later, a sign goes up that there is going to be a casino, hotel etc but only for rich people. They beach community - animals included - go to city council to protest in order to save the beach
July 31, 2009
I have to admit I am giving it 4 stars more for the illustration than the actual story. It's not particularly believable. I mean, it's not bad. I don't think Judy Sierra's ever done anything bad.
But I LOVED the pictures. Super cute. Niece and nephew agreed with me.
But I LOVED the pictures. Super cute. Niece and nephew agreed with me.
December 12, 2012
This rhyming tale touches on the role and power of art to bring together a community and how activism on a community's part can bring about change. An environmental lesson about protecting natural beauty and communities. Might be a fun read for the lower grades on earth day.
January 14, 2017
My daughter gravitated toward the friendly purple whale and loved all the drawings. As a parent it was fun to read aloud since the rhymes were unusual and the rhythm was lovely. I challenge another author to use the word resplendent in a book for toddlers/preschoolers.
June 10, 2009
As ever, Judy Sierra's rhyme and meter are spot on. I just didn't connect with this as much as I would've liked.
March 6, 2009
When Mira Bella, the animals and kids find out that a company wants to buy Ballyhoo Bay and build high rises, they are determined to save the land.
March 6, 2009
This is a nice story of Art saving nature. Creativity winning out and it is told in a beautiful funy way like only Sierra can do. Ages 4+
March 11, 2009
Judy Sierra rocks!
April 20, 2009
Very cute, but is cute enough for a Caldecott? It is a perfect read for the Be Creative summer reading theme.
May 28, 2009
Great illustrations. Fun rhymes. May be a bit lengthy and harder vocabulary for preschool/toddler storytimes, but school-aged kids would enjoy this. Great book about eco protection.
November 8, 2009
Wonderful bright clear illustrations about how a group of committed individuals can make a difference in their community. Fun read-aloud meter.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews