Monday, October 22, 2007

Children's Book Monday- and a Drawing!


Toddler time!

Draw your little one(s) close and settle in for a sweet story...

Emily's Balloon
by Komako Sakai

Sweet Emily. She has received a balloon - a yellow one - and it has become her closest friend. The toddler has the balloon tied to her finger so as not to lose it, and brings it home. Once inside, it is set free, and Emily and the balloon play from room to room in her house - calling Mama to come and fetch friend balloon when it escapes to the ceiling. Mama, in that clever way mothers have, comes up with a solution to help balloon and Emily stay together.



Wandering outside, they play house, picking flowers for matching flower crowns. But when the wind catches friend balloon and carries it away to the trees, Emily is very sad, and thinks longingly of all the things they were to do together. That night, after the promise of a reunion by Mama, Emily finds peace as she nestles in bed and watches her friend from the window.

My Eliana loves balloons- when we pass car lots having their sales, she desperately tears at her seat belt in an attempt to escape and play with all of the balloons! You may have a little one who does not like ballons, for they can be loud when they pop, and have a strange texture and squeaky surface for sure. If this is so, I think they will also like this book - to see sweet Emily and friend balloon enjoying a peaceful day together could be very calming.

The simple line drawings and plain colors of this book are still enough to capture the attention of your toddler, and the story is short (thirty-two pages) and sweet.

Happy Reading!

And please, enter yourself in the book drawing - you may choose from any book I've reviewed - there are over forty! All you have to do is leave a comment, and Sunday night, October 28th, Micah will draw one of your names!

40 fellow travelers shared:

Anonymous said...

Wow, Elise...first to comment! That's unusual since you have so many faithful readers (you know I'm one of them!!). I'd love to be entered into your book drawing. And I'll be sure to look for Emily's Balloon this week at the library! Thanks and a big hug, Katie

Sarah said...

oh yes please friend! How generous! I'd love to chat soon.
Love, Sarah

Tracy said...

What sweet illustrations in the book. Even though my children are a bit older, I'd still love to be in the drawing. Abigail still enjoys picture books, adn I'm saving all of ours for my future (Lord willing) grandchildren.

Dixie said...

Thank you so much for sharing great book reviews.

Dixie

laura said...

thank you so much for your wonderful book reviews- the girls are enjoying the books you have chosen- especially since my little one, sarah jane, is about the same age as Eliana. blessings to you this week. -laura

Melissa Stover said...

oh the illustrations! what a sweet looking book.

~nanashouse~ said...

I think my daughter has read this book to her children because her little Caleb's favorite color is "yewo". My absolute favorite so far is "The Light at Tern Rock".

Inspiration Station said...

Perfect book choice for this age! My little W. loves balloons. I so enjoy participating in your children' book Monday. And a drawing this week makes it even more fun! Thank you Elise!
:) Mindy

Anonymous said...

Elise,

Thank you for reviewing this book.

I can easily see this becoming a favorite with my Iliana! I laughed when you mentioned driving by car dealerships with balloons. I always think someone's hurt in the backseat or something when we drive by a dealership and she starts yelling with excitement. We adults don't notice those little things as much, I guess. :)

Have a great week!

~Anna

Anonymous said...

Aww! What a sweet book! Of course, seeing my daughter's name coupled with a balloon makes it even more darling. I'll have to add this one to our "Wish List." Thanks for sharing so many great books with us Elise!

Rebekah said...

How precious! I love the illustration. It's so good to visit you.
Rebekah

P.S. I love the music you've chosen!

Beverly said...

Lovely! A book drawing and a wonderful book? Too much joy! Lena loves balloons too. She calls them balls:-)

Beka said...

Such a sweet book! I love the illustration that you included in your review.

Wendy C said...

The book looks wonderful and I too, really like the illustrations! Please enter me in your book drawing!

Stacy said...

ps: you have great taste in music (your sidebar). i always like coming over here. :)

~stacy

Stacy said...

um. strange. i entered a real comment first but don't see it. so here it is again:

Reminds me of the quote:

"Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon."
-Winnie the Pooh

The illustrations look *very* sweet. Can't wait to snuggle up with my kiddos and read THIS one.

Thank you, Elise,
~Stacy

Anonymous said...

I'd love the Complete Adventures of Homer Price to read with my boys..
Courtney

Jenn @ Knee-Deep in Munchkin Land said...

Oh how sweet! I just LOVE the photos in this book, they're adorable. I may have to run to our local library and see if I can find this one.

Renee said...

What a great book review! The pictures look so sweet. I've joined in for the first time- found this meme through Joyful Days.

I'd love to be entered into your book give-away. Thanks for hosting such a great give-away!

Renee'
http://rmboys2.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

Thanks Elise - your reviews are always great and I have purchased a book because of your review! It is so kind of you to do this drawing - you are an incredible lady - one I look forward to meeting, if not on this earth in our eternal home!

Cindee said...

Was the Mister Linky for book reviews? I was thinking it was for the drawing... Anywhoo, consider this my entry for the drawing!! I love your reviews and I have purchased some of the books you reviewed to give away as gifts. I'd have a hard time deciding which one to choose if I won. Great giveaway. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love Monday's! Please include me.
Thank you.

Miriam said...

Count me in for the drawing? Thank you! It's so sweet of you to do these give-aways. I'm overdue to put some more of your recommendations on hold at the library... we always love your picks!

Sweet family caricature on the side-bar. :)

Miriam said...

Oh, and, I LOVE "Mended".

Maxine said...

These little drawings are adorable! Pick me! Pick me! I want to read it to Lena!!!!

Christine said...

I'd love to be entered into the drawing.

Thanks,
Christine

Anonymous said...

This book looks darling!

Love to you!

Julie said...

You have such a wonderful way with words. Thank you for doing another book drawing.
Julie D.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful reviews. I especially like the Emily Balloon one. I'm off to hunt for it in our local library!

:-) Chris

Tea with Tiffany said...

found your blog today. It's a blog worth finding.

God bless!

Anonymous said...

Just found your blog... Will be back more! How wonderful it is to be a mother!

Laura said...

I can't wait to get this for Ella-she too loves balloons! And incidentally, she loves saying "Yewo" as well! :-)

Rebeca said...

Sounds like a great book! I'd love to be entered in your drawing!
Rebeca

Jennifer said...

This book looks so cute. I love reading children's books to my daughter and you have through your reviews given me some more good ones. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Oh and don't enter me again, but I had to tell you that I read this book to MY Emily, and SHE adored it - she said it was sweet and then she read it to her babies!!! I told her it was a book that Ms. Elise reccommended and she has been saying that all day. "Remember that book that MsLise recommended, Mama? The one about a girl with my name???"

Cute, huh?

Anonymous said...

I hate that I've been so busy to participate in the Children's Book Monday, and I hope I'll be back soon. I've loved many of your recommendations, so I'd love to be entered in your drawing :)

Andrea said...

count me in, elise...
hope you are doing well, my friend!!

Shannon said...

I love reading your book reviews :)

You truly are gifted when it comes to writing....you are such a blessing!

Anonymous said...

Enter me in your lovely drawing, please!
I am a book lover and love your children's books reviews.

Annette said...

yes, please, may I enter that contest? thanks :)

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