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Balloons Over Broadway: The Inspiring True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Hardcover – Picture Book, November 1, 2011
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From Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet comes the perfect Thanksgiving Day picture book. Let's have a parade!
Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Melissa Sweet brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual parade celebrating Thanksgiving. The Caldecott Honor artist brilliantly captures the essence of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.
The collage illustrations coupled with Sweet’s storytelling portray Sarg’s joy in his childhood inventions and his ingenious balloon creations that still bring delight to viewers around the country. This nonfiction illustrated book will capture the hearts of all ages.
“This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.” (Kirkus starred review)
- Print length40 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureAD1000L
- Dimensions11 x 0.38 x 9 inches
- PublisherClarion Books
- Publication dateNovember 1, 2011
- ISBN-100547199457
- ISBN-13978-0547199450
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Sketches from the Author
(Click on Images to Enlarge)
Sometimes I have to play with pictures to find the words, so I'll make a collage to get warmed up.
My writing looks like lists and doodles until the very end when I write it out on the computer.
An early sketch in Tony Sarg's studio where they puppeteers are figuring out how to make the inflatable animals.
This was the perfect place to have a spread that had to be turned, just like the "upside down marionettes" rising up.
In a nonfiction book even the smallest detail needs to be accurate and I found this wonderful reference for a 1920's New York City bus stop sign that I used in Balloons Over Broadway.
Review
“Sweet’s brilliant combination of collage, design, illustration and text give Balloons Over Broadway an amazing richness. [No one] will ever see the parade in the same way.” — New York Times Book Review
"Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sarg’s enthusiasm and joy in his work as well as the drama and excitement of the parade. This one should float off the shelves." — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Tony Sarg, the man who invented the giant balloons of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, has found a worthy biographer in Caldecott Honoree Sweet. The rush that comes from inspiration, the cliffhanger moments of creation, the sheer joy of building something and watching it delight the multitudes—Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Sweet’s whimsical mixed-media collages, embellished with little dolls she made herself out of odds and ends, reinforce the theme that, for Sarg, work was play." — Horn Book (starred review)
“A joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts.” — Booklist (starred review)
“It’s a history lesson, inventor's sketchbook, and inspirational story all rolled into one marvelous mixed-media masterpiece. Sweet's beautifully rendered true-life tale will have your child's imagination soaring to new heights!” — Education.com
About the Author
Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than one hundred books, including Kwame Alexander’s How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem, and has written and illustrated her own work. Her work has been featured in magazines, on greeting cards, and on living room walls. Melissa has received the Caldecott Honor Medal twice, among many other awards, including the Sibert Award, and is a New York Times bestselling author and artist. Melissa lives in Maine. You can visit her at melissasweet.net.
Product details
- Publisher : Clarion Books; Illustrated edition (November 1, 2011)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 40 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0547199457
- ISBN-13 : 978-0547199450
- Reading age : 5 - 8 years, from customers
- Lexile measure : AD1000L
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 11 x 0.38 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #24,621 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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A Different Kind of Thanksgiving Book
Christa, Mom of 5
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Honest Review of Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet
Kirsten Brown
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Balloons Over Broadway Mentor Text Moment
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Great read about Macy's Thanksgiving day parade balloons
Styles By Stace
About the author
Melissa Sweet is a New York Times bestselling author and has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books. Her work ranges from board books to picture books and nonfiction titles and her collages and paintings have appeared in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, and for eeBoo Toys. She has received numerous awards including the Sibert Medal, NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award, as well as two Caldecott Honor awards: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, and The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus, both by Jen Bryant.
Sweet has written and illustrated four books: The New York Times Best Illustrated Carmine: A Little More Red; Tupelo Rides the Rails; The Sibert Award Winner Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade; and Some Writer! The Story of E.B.White.
Her newest book is How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander, (June, 2019).
Melissa lives with her husband and dogs in Portland, Maine. For more information, visit www.melissasweet.net.
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 interesting and exciting. They appreciate the informative content and the beautiful illustrations. The book is described as neat, easy to read, and a great read-aloud for kids. Many readers consider it a must-have for Thanksgiving themed books and a wonderful tribute to the balloons.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story interesting and engaging. They appreciate the illustrations that grab their attention. The book is described as exciting, fun, and informative about inventions and engineering.
"...It was an amazing story about the Macys Day Parade. This book is recommended by my entire class! Almost my whole class has ordered copies of this...." Read more
"...It is enchanting from beginning to end, from the creative explanation of how to say Tony Sarg’s name to the Bibliography and Sources...." Read more
"Beautiful illustrations with a great story" Read more
"I truly enjoy reading this book, whether a your an adult or child it’s a great read. Wonderful American history." Read more
Customers find the book informative and engaging. They say it's a great resource for teaching the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The illustrations make learning fun. Readers appreciate the author's blend of science and history with suspense, providing a new perspective and appreciation.
"...This book is beautiful and packed with factual information. Highly recommend!" Read more
"I’m a preschool teacher and my class loved this book! We have a puppeteer coming into our school and I had never read this before...." Read more
"...creative explanation of how to say Tony Sarg’s name to the Bibliography and Sources. Even the inside covers contribute to the story...." Read more
"My students loved reading about the history of the parade. A great read aloud book for teachers leading up to Thanksgiving Break." Read more
Customers enjoy the illustrations in the book. They find the story interesting and the illustrations make learning fun. The media collages throughout the book are colorful and captivating. The illustrator used watercolors, collages, and old papier-mache to create the illustrations.
"...This book is beautiful and packed with factual information. Highly recommend!" Read more
"Beautiful illustrations with a great story" Read more
"...A tradition I’ve carried into my own family. The illustrations are incredible! Highly recommend" Read more
"This book was not only adorable but also informative! Great shelf book during Thanksgiving" Read more
Customers find the book easy to read and engaging for kids. They say it's a great read-aloud for third and fourth graders, with beautiful pictures and great text. It's perfect for launching a school wide event, educational, and inspiring.
"My students loved reading about the history of the parade. A great read aloud book for teachers leading up to Thanksgiving Break." Read more
"Great Read Aloud my Kindergarteners loved it along with this teacher❤️" Read more
"This was perfect to read before Thanksgiving. My class also created their own “balloons” after reading" Read more
"...I plan to give it them next month but I know they will enjoy it. I enjoyed reading it!..." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's content. They say it's a great way to break up the monotony of Thanksgiving, and is a necessary addition to their collection of Thanksgiving-themed books. It's an informative and enjoyable book for older children about a well-loved tradition in American culture.
"...It will be a thanksgiving staple for years to come!" Read more
"...It’s a great change to your traditional Thanksgiving books." Read more
"Perfect picture book before Thanksgiving break. A book for anyone who watches the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The illustrations are very unique." Read more
"...This is an excellent picture book for older children." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's balloon illustrations. They find it a nice tribute to the balloons they see at the Macy's Day Parade. The book provides an introduction to creating Thanksgiving balloons and is a great introduction to the invention of balloons used in the Macy's parade. Readers appreciate the bands and floats, but their favorite are the giant balloons.
"...it with his class before Thanksgiving break and they too liked Balloons Over Broadway. The pictures are amazing!..." Read more
"...The bands and floats were nice, but the favorites by far were the giant balloons--well, except for Santa on his sleigh at the end...." Read more
"...about the historical aspects of the Macy’s Day Parade and the enormous balloons. Many activities can be used from this story." Read more
"...perseverance and creativity, but they loved that it was about the invention of balloons used in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!" Read more
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Profound childhood memories
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2025My kindergartners LOVED learning about the balloons in the Macy’s parade. This book is beautiful and packed with factual information. Highly recommend!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024I’m a preschool teacher and my class loved this book! We have a puppeteer coming into our school and I had never read this before. It was an amazing story about the Macys Day Parade. This book is recommended by my entire class! Almost my whole class has ordered copies of this. It will be a thanksgiving staple for years to come!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2024As a retired elementary librarian, I give this wonderful book TEN stars! It is enchanting from beginning to end, from the creative explanation of how to say Tony Sarg’s name to the Bibliography and Sources. Even the inside covers contribute to the story. I plan to share it with all the children, small and tall, at our annual family reunion Thanksgiving dinner - I expect it will become a tradition!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024Beautiful illustrations with a great story
- Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2024My students loved reading about the history of the parade. A great read aloud book for teachers leading up to Thanksgiving Break.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2024I bought this book originally for my boys wanting to teach them the history behind the thanksgiving day parade. A tradition that began in my house as a little girl. I didn’t realize that opening it up and learning more myself would bring back the profound memories as a little girl waking up on thanksgiving morning to my dad in the kitchen making orange rolls and breakfast with the parade on the tv. A tradition I’ve carried into my own family.
The illustrations are incredible! Highly recommend
5.0 out of 5 stars Profound childhood memoriesI bought this book originally for my boys wanting to teach them the history behind the thanksgiving day parade. A tradition that began in my house as a little girl. I didn’t realize that opening it up and learning more myself would bring back the profound memories as a little girl waking up on thanksgiving morning to my dad in the kitchen making orange rolls and breakfast with the parade on the tv. A tradition I’ve carried into my own family.
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2024
The illustrations are incredible! Highly recommend
Images in this review - Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024I truly enjoy reading this book, whether a your an adult or child it’s a great read. Wonderful American history.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024This book was not only adorable but also informative! Great shelf book during Thanksgiving
Top reviews from other countries
- JayReviewed in Canada on November 30, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous illustrations & nice history
I bought this for a little 7 year old boy with whom I have a tradition of watching the Macy’s Parade (he even gets a skip day from school since we are Canadian) and we were both thrilled with the book. The illustration style is beautiful and colorful while giving a true sense of the history behind the balloons. The story itself is quite a bit more detailed than I expected and should be suitable for kids who are a bit older too. Highly recommended for anyone who loves the parade balloons, or for anyone who’s actually attended in person. Really a lovely purchase.
- XENIAReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2013
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful wonderful book!
What an amazing book!
On one hand, the inspiring story of Tony Sarg who first designed and started the Macy's parade in New York. His life and work demonstrates innovation, creativity and true love for ones work (art in his occasion).
On the other hand, the amazing lay out of the book by Melissa Sweet. So different, so creative, so colourful! Her collages look as if the book is three dimensional!
And even though I have a baby son and bought this book to share it with him, I find myself going through it over and over again when he is bed.
I would definitely recommend it!
- StorygirlReviewed in Canada on December 21, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Story
I love this story and the history of the balloons and parade are wonderful.