GOODBYE, BALLOON

When a child’s beloved balloon is whipped away by a gust of wind, the youngster reveals an intriguing coping mechanism.

In this tale translated from Dutch, the light-skinned, brown-haired narrator, who is barefoot and wears a simple ochre tunic, declares that the balloon makes them happy—it even feels magical. So readers understand the child’s feelings when the pale, reddish balloon—formerly tied to the child’s bicycle—sails out of reach. After shouting goodbye and wishing the balloon a “fantastic adventure,” the child closes their eyes and imagines themself soaring with the balloon, so high that “the kites must be jealous.” In a series of whimsical scenes, child and balloon travel over mountains and a lake, through a desert, and into outer space. Especially exhilarating: a moment when the youngster flies with pink flamingos. When menacing weather arises, the child says, “My balloon and I are brave. Flying out of the darkness I feel proud.” The captivating watercolor and colored pencil artwork—even more interesting because the textured paper shows beneath—brings the protagonist’s fantasies to life. The careful wording and lovely ending—in which the narrator pictures the balloon finding a new friend, a brown-skinned girl—evoke the best of guided imagery meditation and will speak to young readers coping with sorrow. No one should wait for a child to experience loss before sharing this wise, gentle book. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Well-played grief counseling.