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Balloonia (Child's Play Library) Paperback – January 1, 2005
Purchase options and add-ons
- Reading age5 - 6 years
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions9.75 x 0.25 x 10.5 inches
- PublisherChild's Play
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 2005
- ISBN-101904550495
- ISBN-13978-1904550495
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Audrey Wood is the author of many beloved books for children, including the bestselling classic The Napping House, its companion The Full Moon at the Napping House, Caldecott Honor Book King Bidgood's in the Bathtub, Heckedy Peg, Piggies, and Piggy Pie Po, all of which were illustrated by her husband, Don Wood. The Woods divide their time between California and Hawaii.
Product details
- Publisher : Child's Play; Revised edition (January 1, 2005)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1904550495
- ISBN-13 : 978-1904550495
- Reading age : 5 - 6 years
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 9.75 x 0.25 x 10.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #636,802 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,378 in Children's Fantasy & Magic Books
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
AUDREY WOOD is the much-loved author of more than thirty books for children, including the bestselling The Napping House, Piggies, Heckedy Peg, and most recently, Piggy Pie Po, which she collaborated on with her husband, Don Wood.
She lives in Hawaii.
My first memories are of Sarasota, Florida in the winter quarters of the Ringling Brothers' Circus. I was one year old and remember it vividly. My father, an art student, was making extra income by repainting circus murals.
The people in the circus were my friends. I was bounced on the knee of the tallest man in the world and rocked in the arms of the fat lady who could not stand up. My first baby-sitters were a family of little people who lived in a trailer next to ours. They tAudrey2old me stories about the animals they worked with: Chi Chi the Chimpanzee, an elephant named Elder, and Gargantua the Gorilla.
My mother says I was a fast learner, always ahead of my age. My father taught me to swim before I could walk. I walked at seven months and climbed over a seven foot chain link fence when I was one year old. Everyone in the circus thought I was going to be a trapeze artist.
When I was two, I traveled with my parents to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where they studied art. Spanish became my second language. Because my mother read to me every day, I fell in love with books and was reading by age three.
My parents had two more girls, which made me the oldest sister. All of us were trained in the arts: music, dance, painting, and drama. We had a miniature stage in our basement, complete with light-bulb floodlights and a dusty red velvet curtain. Admission for the plays we produced was a bargain--twenty-five cents.
When I was in the first grade, I wanted to grow up to be an artist like my father. Then, in the fourth grade, I decided I'd like to be a children's book author. As an adult who writes and illustrates children's books, I have realized both my childhood ambitions.
I got in trouble in school once for crossing out my favorite author's name and putting in mine--Audrey Brewer instead of Dr. Seuss!
My great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all professional artists. Since I am also a professional artist, there are four consecutive generations of artists in our family. However, I am the only female artist.
On our honeymoon, I read my new husband Don Wood the classic children's book entitled At the Back of the North Wind. Seven years later, we teamed up to create our first picture book together.
When our son Bruce Robert was two years old, I began to read picture books to him. He helped to remind me of my childhood ambitions. That's when I began to write children's books seriously.
www.audreywood.com
Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story imaginative and captivating. They appreciate the colorful pictures and accurate illustrations. The language quality is good, using words that are different from typical infant/toddler vocabulary. The dialogue between the children is authentic and believable.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the imaginative story and colorful illustrations. It requires children to use their imagination, but uses simple words that kindergarteners can understand. The concept is nice, explaining where balloons go when released. The book is a fun adventure featuring balloons, with authentic and believable characters.
"...Great for the imagination too. We made up a few scenarios of what happened there too. Loved it then, can't wait to share it now!!" Read more
"...Let your imagination run wild!!" Read more
"...The dialogue between the children are authentic and believable. Another terrific book by Audrey Wood." Read more
"...If you're looking for a fun story featuring balloons, I highly recommend "Where Do Balloons Go, An Uplifting Mystery" by Jamie Lee Curtis instead...." Read more
Customers like the color scheme and pictures. They say the illustrations are great, accurate, and fun to look at.
"...The bright colors and elaborate pictures are fun to explore. Let your imagination run wild!!" Read more
"...Wonderfully creative thougthful story and beautiful illustrations. The dialogue between the children are authentic and believable...." Read more
"...It makes the pages look cramped. The pictures of Balloonia are beautiful and colorful, but those only take up a couple pages. The rest are awful...." Read more
"...The illustrations are quite fun! We have really enjoyed this book!" Read more
Customers enjoy the book's language quality. They find the words different from the usual infant/toddler words and the pictures accurate and fun to look at. The dialogue between the children is authentic and believable.
"...The dialogue between the children are authentic and believable. Another terrific book by Audrey Wood." Read more
"...It requires the child to use their imagination and it uses words that are easy for a kindergarten to first-grade reader." Read more
"This book is a real winner. The words are different than the usual infant/toddler words and the pictures are accurant and fun to look at...." Read more
Reviews with images
Too Expensive, Poor Quality!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2016I loved reading this book as a child and was so excited to see it here to purchase for my 4 year old. She loves it just as much as I did.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2016I remember reading this to my kids when they were little.
Now I get to enjoy the story with my grandbabies.
My kids never threw a fit when they lost their balloons due to wind, broken strings or lost grip.
They would just wave to it as it flew away and say "Have fun in Balloonia!!"
Great for the imagination too. We made up a few scenarios of what happened there too.
Loved it then, can't wait to share it now!!
- Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2020I liked this read, although I didn’t find myself riveted at all and whilst I may re-read this several years down the line, like the movie it’s not a favourite of mine. At times throughout the book the writing felt stodgy and a tad too descriptive, I was expecting something more lyrical and fluid in all honesty. Nevertheless, there were also moments where the writing and descriptions brought things to vivid life and had me reacting in one way or another.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2020Definitely one of my favorite stories to read to littles. My grandsons all enjoy this fun book. They are 2 and 4. Would highly recommend this boook.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2015I read this book as a little girl and was stoked to find for my nieces. The bright colors and elaborate pictures are fun to explore. Let your imagination run wild!!
- Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2019It’s Balloonia. “We like it here.”
I have no idea how many hundreds of times I have read this book to my children, grand children, foster children, other peoples’ kids. Where do balloons go when they fly away?
Balloonia!!
- Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2013Great children's book. Wonderfully creative thougthful story and beautiful illustrations. The dialogue between the children are authentic and believable. Another terrific book by Audrey Wood.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2011Had this as a child and loved it. Reading it for my daughter and she also loves it. Recently took it to her play school. The teacher said it's the first time every, single child was fully captivated by a book. Look for Ms Woods' other titles too such as 'Mrs Honey's hat'. All lovely books!
Top reviews from other countries
- S. LacroixReviewed in Canada on June 5, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars So glad to finally find this book
Finally remembered the name and bought it, such nostalgia
- NatashaReviewed in Australia on December 14, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Fave book from when I was little
This was my favourite book when I was little it’s great to see it again
- HKMJReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 8, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book it is one of my childhood favourites
I love this book it is one of my childhood favourites. I read it to my son and my niece. My son is only 4 months but I'm sure when he is older he will love the story too. My niece is 3 and loves it. I ordered her a balloonia book of her own and she was over the moon with it. She loves the pictures and the story. It came in handy when her balloon flew away and we told her it is going to Balloonia!
- Heather CameronReviewed in Canada on October 21, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical reading!
My own kids had this book and loved it, so when one of my grand daughters let go of her helium balloon accidentally one day, I told her it was off to “Balloonia”. She had never heard of it. Right then I decided I’d get her the book for Christmas. Although she won’t get it until then, I know she will love it ... just like her daddy did!
- Blu63Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 7, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Great value
Bought this for my daughters collection of books to read with her class as she had this as a child and wanted to add it as a 'classic' to her collection.
Glad to see in back in print and so worth the wait!