Grab a Balloon-Monthly Challenge

     Two years ago, my husband and I celebrated out 45 wedding anniversary with a party. 

My then 3-year-old granddaughter asked,"Grammy, are there going to be balloons?" 

I couldn't resist that request. Children and balloons just go together. Your challenge is to let 

your imaginations fly up, up, and away. Write a story about a balloon.  

     One of my all time favorite balloon stories is the classic The Red Balloon by Albert 

Lamorisse. Pascal and the balloon are best friends. The story is told in photographs taken 

from the movie. Devoted to each other, they face dangers together to protect their 

friendship. The magical ending is very satisfying. 


     Another favorite of mine is Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm by Jerdine Nolan. This tall 

tale bursts with magic and mayhem. Harvey Potter grew balloons. No one knew exactly how 

he did it, but with the help of a full moon, a child catches a peek of how it's done.

      Now for a book that brings me to tears every time I read it, The Remember Balloons 

by Jessica Oliveros.  This tender story explains memory loss that comes with aging and 

disease.

     Here is an interview with Jessica about her inspiration for the story.

      Bird, Balloon, Bear by Il Sung Na is a sweet story about courage, kindness, and friendship.

Bird is very shy and looking for a friend. Just when Bird gets up his courage to talk to Bear--Bear

meets Balloon.  Is it too late for Bird?

     And last but not least, A Voyage in the Clouds: The (Mostly) True Story of the First 

InternationalFlight by Balloon in 1785 by Matthew Olshan. 

     John Jeffries, an Englishman, and his pilot, Jean-Pierre Blanchard, a Frenchman, want 

to be the first to fly between countries. On January 7, 1785, they set out to cross the English 

Channel to France in a balloon. 

     All seemed to be going fine, until the balloon begins to sink. Jeffries and Blanchard throw 

as much as they can overboard―until there is nothing left, not even their clothes. They 

come up with a clever (and surprising) solution that saves the day. 


     And for just a little more inspiration--here is the 5th Dimension singing about their beautiful

balloon.  Fly with your beautiful balloon story. Happy writing.