A BALLOON FOR ISABEL

A sweetly graphic demonstration that just a little ingenuity can resolve even the most daunting dilemmas. Ms. Quill’s class is counting down the days until graduation, and Isabel and Walter, two porcupine friends, are feeling left out, knowing they will not receive balloons along with the rest of the animals in their class. Ms. Quill, a porcupine herself, warns the duo that balloons are not safe for them. Longing desperately for a balloon of her own, Isabel decides she will not settle for just another “lovely” bookmark. After some trial and error—and some of Walter’s endless supply of candy (his father makes it), which provides both solution and subplot—Isabel’s persistence and resourcefulness save the day. Now “pop proof,” Isabel, Walter and, most of all, Ms. Quill are able to (safely) enjoy their own balloons on graduation day. The attention to detail in Rankin’s illustrations adds humor and charm to the story (check out Isabel’s extensive collection of brightly colored Mary Janes), and the vivid colors make the pictures pop—sure to delight even the prickliest of readers. (Picture book. 4-7)