Book Review: My Yellow Balloon by Tiffany Papageorge

There has been a lot of sadness in the news, from devastating natural disasters to violent protests and much more. It’s no secret that our children are directly or indirectly exposed to and aware of life’s most difficult occurrences, and in their true curious nature, they may have questions.

Whether your child has observed a loss or dealt with one of their own (death, divorce, moving away, deployment, etc.), helping them understand it all can be challenging. Tiffany Papageorge, sought-after speaker and author, addresses this difficult topic with her inspirational new picture book, My Yellow Balloon.

Breathtakingly illustrated by a Dreamworks artist, My Yellow Balloon tells the simple, powerful, and heartfelt story of a young boy who gets a yellow balloon while visiting a fair with his parents. He loves the balloon dearly until it accidentally slips from his hands. Without his yellow balloon, all of the color drains from the boy’s world, until one day when the boy sees the yellow balloon reflected in the sun and knows it will always be with him, even if it’s not in his hands anymore.

Providing comfort and clarity, My Yellow Balloon can help parents begin a difficult conversation with their children. Loss is very real, but doesn’t have to be so scary.

Age Level: 4 - 8 | Grade Level: P - 3
It all started at the carnival…That’s where Joey makes a new friend: a bright yellow balloon. Joey and his beloved balloon do everything together, until the balloon accidentally slips off Joey’s wrist and flies far, far away. What will Joey do without his special friend?

Tiffany Papageorge has crafted a poignant tale of love, loss, and letting go that will serve as a comforting guide to children who are navigating the complicated emotions of grief. Rich, luminous illustrations by Erwin Madrid perfectly capture these timeless themes, making them accessible to even the youngest reader.
Honest, unflinching, and ultimately reassuring, My Yellow Balloon will resonate with anyone who has endured the darkness of grief, while offering hope for brighter days ahead.

My Review

This was such a good book and my daughter really enjoyed it. There was a lot of emotion in this story and I think it's relatable for most children. Losing something, even a balloon is hard on a child. They don't fully understand why things are lost and not able to come back. The deeper meaning in this book is about losing a loved one, but the author words it in a way for children to understand and relate to.

I found the writing to be good and my daughter who is a reader, didn't have any issues pronouncing words or following along with the story and understanding it.

The illustrations in this book are beautiful and really help capture the reader as they find their way through this story. I personally feel like this is a book that all parents should have, because at some point during a child's life, they are going to have to deal with a loss that they just don't understand, and this story is helpful during that time.