Sweet, Melissa. (2011). Balloons Over Broadway. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
I first read Balloons Over Broadway (Houghton Mifflin, 2011) as a fourth grade teacher (before I became a librarian). I can still remember sitting in front of my class and opening the book as I shared it for the first time.
This nonfiction picture book makes perfect sense as a read-aloud around Thanksgiving (the subject of the book, Tony Sarg, designed the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons). I am not the first to immediately think of this book when November rolls around.
Last week, I brought this book out once again. And as I turned the pages to familiarize myself with the book once more, I realized quickly that it almost wasn't the same as I remembered. Balloons Over Broadway seemed richer than I imagined. I wondered why this was.
And then I knew.
I was looking at this book with a different set of eyes. I was a librarian now. After years of learning about the wonder, design, and brilliance of picture books -- I notice the details - perhaps not all of them, yet, but more than before.
As always, the cover caught my eye first: I've since learned (from Megan Dowd Lambert) that the cover is known as "wraparound art". Open the book all the way, turn it over, and glance slowly from left to right. (The entire cover is better appreciated this way!) Even further, I noticed that the reader is given a partial underside view of the balloons, mimicking the view of a parade-goer looking upward-- authentic and tying into the real-life experience. (Before I read this book aloud, I always ask readers if they have ever seen a parade.) Next, notice also how Tony Sarg is pulling the books towards the opening of the book, inviting us to hear his story-- inviting us to open the book!
The front endpapers reveal biographical facts about Sarg right away, with the opening of a another book about the puppeteer (details in the backmatter). And mixed in with this book are fabric scraps, letting the reader know that in this book as Melissa Sweet's creativity is paired right along with Sarg's.
The title and copyright page should be appreciated as well: Sweet has set up a display box, filled with curious and charming objects that let the reader know the entire book will be like this: inviting, imaginative, and playful. How was this page set up? How can we do the same? (After reading it, I wanted to make my own puppets, too!)
And when we turn the page, Sarg appears in photo form, letting readers know this book is indeed nonfiction. The placement of Sarg's quote on the opposite page, paired with this friendly-smiling puppeteer, is like a friendly introduction to Sarg -- as if we are entering his studio on a tour, and he is about to tell us about his work.
Notice how I've spent the above four paragraphs writing solely about the cover, endpapers, and copyright page! I haven't even reached the rest of the book!
I have so much more to say about the delightful Sweet-style and perfect illustrations -- but this post would be too long. If I continued to write here, I would tell you about the sketches that layout Sarg's plans, or the bold, standout typography, emphasizing important points. I would tell you about Sarg's "what if" questions and think-alouds, giving readers a glimpse into the problem-solving and creative thinking of this artist and puppeteer. (This year, I know librarians with makerspaces -- like me -- found yet another way to connect with this book.)
And if I continued to write, I would tell you about how perfectly perfect it is that Melissa Sweet is the author telling this story -- one artist introducing us to another. Sweet and Sarg both defer to each other, though one isn't physically present.
I would tell you that this entire book involves exploration and deserves every accolade it received.
And, so, I reach my main thought about Balloons Over Broadway -- one that initially brought me to this post:
One can appreciate a beloved book in different ways at different times.
I was able to see so much more into this book after having read so many books in between, having heard Melissa Sweet speak at various conferences, knowing more about Sibert Medal winners, paying close attention to other books, and asking myself questions about picture book design.
What will I see next when I read this book again? I am not entirely sure, but I am eager to find out.
Read more about Melissa Sweet's work here!
And if you celebrate it, have the loveliest Thanksgiving holiday!
