The Big Wet Balloon: TOON Level 2

by Liniers (Illustrator)

"Matilda promises her little sister Clemmie an amazing weekend spent playing outside. But the weather's rainy and Clemmie can't bring her new balloon along. Matilda teaches Clemmie all the delights of a wet Saturday"--

Genres: Graphic Novels, Picture Books, Childrens, Comics, Family, Spanish Literature, Graphic Novels Comics

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Nombre con el que firma el historietista Ricardo Liniers Siri.

Ricardo Liniers lives in Buenos Aires with his wife and two daughters, who inspired this story. For more than ten years, he has published a hugely popular daily strip, Macanudo, in the Argentine newspaper La Nación. He also tours the world drawing onstage with musician Kevin Johansen. His work has been published in nine countries from Brazil to the Czech Republic and in the United States.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl teaches her toddler sister the joys of playing in the rain.

[Lectora de Metro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hermoso libro infantil que relata las aventuras de dos hermanas durante un fin de semana y sobre cómo lo pasan bien y disfrutan los días de descanso con cosas simples. Muy bella lectura para pequeños y grandes.

[Favola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wenn man "Der rote Ballon" aufschlägt, erkennt man sofort, dass man es mit einem ganz speziellen Bilderbuch zu tun hat. Der argentinische Cartoonist Liniers erzählt einfühlsam die Geschichte zweier Schwestern und zwar in Comic-Form.

Matilda liebt den Samstag, denn da kann man tausend Sachen machen. Picknicken, Blumen pflücken, .... und so weckt sie voller Vorfreude ihre kleine Schwester. Nach dem Frühstück realisieren sie jedoch, dass es regnet. Matilda findet das überhaupt nicht schlimm, denn schliesslich macht Regen Spass. Man muss nur das Richtige anziehen. Sie ist voller Tatendrang, Clemmie ist jedoch sehr skeptisch und findet den Regen nur nass. So versucht ihr ihre grosse Schwester den Regen schmackhaft zu machen, denn da kann man so viel machen: Regentropfen mit der Zunge auffangen, in die Pfützen springen oder Regenwürmer suchen.

"Der rote Ballon" ist nicht nur ein Plädoyer für die Freizeit der Kinder, eine Anregung in allem das Positive zu sehen, sondern auch eine wunderbare Geschichte einer Geschwisterbeziehung. Matilda möchte ihrer kleinen Schwester zeigen, wie toll Samstage sind, zeigt ihr viele Möglichkeiten und übernimmt für sie Verantwortung. So ist die ganze Geschichte eigentlich ein Monolog von ihrer Seite, der nur von einzelnen Wörtern, die Clemmie dazwischen sagt, unterbrochen wird.

"Der rote Ballon" weckt aber auch eigene Kindheitserinnerungen, denn Regen war noch nie ein Hindernis für Kinder. Da möchte man selber nochmals klein sein und barfuss im Sommerregen in die Schule gehen, in die grössten Pfützen springen und Schneckenrennen veranstalten.

Die Illustrationen von Liniers sind wunderbar. Passend zum Regenwetter hat er mit Wasserfarbe und Tinte gearbeitet, zum Teil scheint der Regen sogar auf die Bilder getropft zu haben. Zwar sind die Farben eher gedeckt, doch die Emotionen, die Lebensfreude quillt aus jeder Seite.

Fazit:
"Der rote Ballon" ist ein wunderbares Buch über Geschwisterliebe, über die Freiheit der Samstage und über die Schönheit von Regen.
Liniers hat eine stimmungsvolle und liebevolle Geschichte geschaffen, die durch die Comic-Form etwas ganz Besonderes ist und gross und klein in seinen Bann zieht.

[Demeter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keď sme boli malí, aj dážd bol priestor na hranie. Toto učí Matilda svoju malú sestru Klementínku. Prekrásna malá kniha o užívaní si života. Liniers! #trebacitat!!!

[Tammi Peterman]

1. This is the story of a girl showing her sister the joy of a rainy Saturday by teaching her to catch raindrops on her tongue, jump in puddles, and search for worms. As the big sister Matilda encourages Clemmie to try new things even though she may be scared and by the end they they are happily playing in the rain together. This is an early reader comic. The graphics are very simple and yet they capture the girls' very distinct personalities. The frames are not overly busy but provide a accurate portrayal of the adventures these 2 girls take.

2. The simplicity of this book makes it a great piece for introducing the graphic novel genre and its characteristics to students. It provides a good story for young audiences with enough of the graphic format to introduce older students to graphics novels before jumping into more detailed graphic novels. This is also a great piece to encourage young readers to explore graphic novels at home and would be perfect for individual reading. This piece is light enough on text that it would be perfect for ELL students to practice predicting skills or to take home and share with family members who may not be English speakers. In a class setting this piece could be a great introduction into a discussion about weather or family.

3. The story is happy one with a accurate portrayal of sisterly dynamics. there is nothing vulgar or offensive in the piece and it moves at a slow enough pace for the most beginner graphic novel readers. This is an amazing piece for simply introducing the graphic novel genre.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I LOVE a good sister story and that's exactly what we have here! Inspired by the authors two daughters, this story features two little girls who enjoy a rainy Saturday together. Big Sis shows Lil Sis that even the same old breakfast tastes better on Saturday morning.

Recommended for grades 1-3.

[Drew Canole · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little underwhelming to be honest. I was hoping Liniers would deliver something special, but this book is just an average kids book. It has nice artwork and a heartfelt story. I was expecting more from Liniers and Raw.

[Lynette Camerlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate, "The Big Wet Balloon," by Ricardo Siri, better known by the name Liniers, 5 out of 5 stars. "The Big Wet Balloon" is about two sisters, Matilda who is the older sister, and Clemmie who is the younger sister. Matilda wants to go out and play with her sister one Saturday but the weather had other plans. Clemmie refuses to go outside and play the rain, but Matilda is adamant about teaching her sister all of the positive things that can come with/happen on a wet Saturday. Both of the sisters grab their rain gear and head outside to have some fun where they jump in puddles. The sisters encounter a rainbow and Matilda mentions to her sister that they have to offer something colorful to the rainbow. Matilda offers the rainbow Clemmie's red balloon which does not make Clemmie happy. At the end of their fun-filled Saturday, Matilda apologies to Clemmie for offering the rainbow her red balloon, and to make up for her action, Matilda asked her mom to get her a bunch of colorful new balloons to give to her sister. I would utilize this book as a whole-group read-aloud and provide it in my personal classroom library for students to read. When/If I use this book for a whole-group read-aloud, I would create/teach a lesson to my students that provides them an opportunity for creative-writing. I would work on 5 sentence paragraphs...Main topic / 3 supporting details / Conclusion statement. I would ask students about what they would do for fun on a rainy Saturday (main topic), describing three things that they would do, then conclude with a statement whether it being a feeling, idea, or the best thing (about the main topic). For example, Main Topic - Rainy days can be fun. 3 details about fun things they can do on a rainy day, concluding statement - The best thing about rainy days can be staying in and cuddling up with a book or I feel that rainy days are just as good as non-rainy days.What I really like about this book is its topic of sibling relationships and being a role-model to them and/or others. This can have students discuss how they can be a role-model for their younger siblings and or others in general by doing small acts of kindness, helping them with homework, being respectful, honest, and caring, etc.

[Jessica Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

1:
"The Big Wet Balloon" is a sweet story that demonstrates a young girl's love for the weekend, rain and her sister. I really felt that the illustrations enhanced the story with the soft colors and the style in which the illustrations were drawn, I felt, is better than usual comic book drawings.

2:
The book could be read by a first grader on up and would be a good book to introduce girls to since the main characters are girls. This story has themes of friendship, perseverance and empathy that could be used for a character lesson.

(2013, August 1). Kirkus Reviews starred. http://titlewave.com/search?SID=3b8b1...

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I love about this book is that it is about having fun in the rain. All you need is the right clothes. Where I struggle is with the balloons. I know that people love to send helium balloons into the sky. I loved it too before I learned the problem. At some point the balloons come back to earth and become garbage, and a potential health hazards to wild animals.

I just can't love the book.

https://balloonsblow.org/

[Jeanine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The bond between the sisters is cute as well as the repair demonstrated at the end. The idea that rain is fun is something I was good, but it ended with the rain presumably causing the girls to catch colds (myth). The idea that he modeled it all after his own daughters is cute and believable, but not very engaging or relatable for children who at those ages (3 and 5) see themselves as big.

[Darshana Khiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully captures the innocence and simplicity of childhood.Love this story about an older sister "showing" the ropes to her younger sister about how to enjoy a rainy Saturday. Format is comic panel style.

[Arthaey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute; made me laugh out loud several times.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Toon Books. So, so nice to have great graphic novels with interesting characters and stories that my reluctant readers will enjoy and be able to read independently.

[Carolina · Rating 4 out of 5]

La infancia que todos queremos tener.

[Rachel Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The big wet balloon is a delightful story of two sisters playing on a Saturday. This story is narrated by the older sister as she tries to get her younger sister to see how much fun can be had on a Saturday, regardless of rain or shine. The younger sister is reluctant to participate in all of the play her older sister suggests. I would recommend this treasure of a book to elementary and younger children.

The author is Ricardo Liniers Siri who lives in Buenos Aires. Liniers has a somewhat different style of illustrating, he uses round and square panels, and even had a two page spread for one. There are dialogue bubbles throughout the story but the pictures really tell the story. The gutters are all white, on some pages they are strongly defined by the definite edges of the panels and on other pages they are softly defined by the round panels without borders. This is a wonderful book with great flow and design.

[Kennedy Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

They had a plan to spend all day outside having fun, but their plan seemed to diminish when they woke up to pouring rain. Matilda, the older sister, convinces Clemmie, the younger sister, to go outside and have fun in the rain. After some hesitation, Clemmie decides to go, but she wants to take her balloon with her. Together, the two sisters go out and do wonderful things in the rain. Later in the day, Matilda accidentally lets go of Clemmie’s balloon and Clemmie becomes very sad. Matilda then walks home with her sister and goes to get her three new balloons.
This book would be great to use in a classroom because the students could really see how their everyday life can be turned into a book. Students could then easily write and illustrate their own graphic novel about a special day in their life. Doing this would incorporate writing into reading along with giving the students a fun activity to do.

[Trisha J]

This book is about Clemmie and her big sister waking up on a Saturday. They are excited because Saturday breakfast is much better. Clemmie doesn’t want to play outside in the rain even after her older sister has them put on their rain clothes. While her sister is trying to play in the rain and get Clemmie to have fun on Saturday. Once the rainbow comes out the sisters give the rainbow to the rainbow. Clemmie is sad, but her sister asks for more balloons. Her sister tells her that the next day, Sunday will also be a fun day. This book is a great way to show children that we can always try to be positive even if it's raining or gloomy outside. It teaches to look for the brighter side of things instead of being negative. I like how this picture book is laid out into little comic-like pictures throughout the page, it helps to build the conversation between the sisters.

[Mikhaila Ackerbauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Awards the book has received (if any)

2. Appropriate grade level(s): K-2nd

3. Original 3-line summary: Two little sister begin their adventures of a rainy Saturday. The little sister is hesitant to go out in the rain at first, but soon she begins to enjoy being out with her sister.

4. Original 3-line review: This was an enjoyable one time read. The dialogue was not as engaging for children as other books. The illustrations however, are simple and easy to follow for beginning readers.

5. 2-3 possible in-class uses: Children can do a lesson on creativity and describe fun activities for the rain. This book can also be used in a text-to-self lesson, as they make connections to their own lives about the kinds of activities they like to do on a Saturday or in the rain.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel was my favorite that I read this week. It had a wonderful, sweet story about two sisters playing in the rain on a Saturday. Though the language is simple, the story shares a sweet relationship between two sisters and the fun they have exploring their rainy day. This is a relatable text that I would love to include in my own classroom.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a sweet book on many levels.
It's a celebration of rain.
It's a celebration of sibling love.
It's a celebration of weekends.

An older sibling takes the younger, more cautious, one outside to revel in the glories of rain. Eventually they are persuaded and both have a rollicking good time in a day that ends in a rainbow.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute, with some real shades of Bluey happening. (Or maybe I've just been binge-watching that and seeing it everywhere. We'll never know!)

It is a book for beginning readers, who I'm sure will appreciate the graphic novel-esque layout and learning about timing, what with silent panels and so on. Very cute.

[Saioa Bikandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es una historia muy tierna y entrañable sobre dos niñas y un día de lluvia. Me encantan las ilustraciones y la sencillez de la historia. Se nota que el autor tiene hijos porque ha sabido transmitir la candidez y la mente tan clara de los niños.

[Username · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lo leemos una y otra vez con los chicos!

[Hannah Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cutest! It reminds me so much of my girls. My only complaint is that it should have been longer.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wet!

[Amanda Roux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Livro com ilustrações lindas, voltado para a primeira leitura dos pequeninos.

[Lara Lonardo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Estuvo lindo, pero es corto.

[Carrie Norris · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good graphic novel for beginning readers (also would be good to read together with a beginning reader)

[grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very short and sweet graphic novel. Loved how it is based on the author's 2 daughters.