"Balloon Trees" by Danna Smith (review)

“Balloon Trees” by Danna Smith is a wonderfully fun book to read aloud to young children.  The poetic verse cadence lends itself to joyfully singing the text.  Balloons are always fun and entertaining for children and so is reading about how they are made. 

 They slice the bark then add a spout--

white milky latex drip-drops out.

The simple cup the tappers use

collects the natural, sappy ooze.

Full color pictures accompany informative text about the making of rubber.  I found this book to be just delightful and will use it this summer for my summer reading program at school.  The fun text and pictures make it a good read for small children and the informative nature of the making of rubber makes this a great book for elementary children as well. (reviewed by Claudette Delorge, Librarian)

The new balloons then make some stops

where spinning brushes roll the tops.

Toward the tub they take a ride.

They soak in water side by side.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Balloon Trees was provided by Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.

Author: Danna Smith received excellent reviews for Pirate Nap and Two at the Zoo, which was featured in Parenting Magazine and is a Raising Readers board book special edition. The inspiration for her most recent book, Balloon Trees, came from her husband’s line of work running a rubber manufacturing plant. Although his company makes industrial rubber products, Danna chose to follow the creation of a fun product that is near and dear to a child’s heart: the balloon. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two grown children, and their cocker spaniel, Peanut. Visit her website at www.dannasmithbooks.com.

Illustrator: Laurie Allen Klein has been a freelance artist for nearly 25 years. Over the last several years, she has worked as the on-staff artist for a marine park, where she does everything from painting life-size sea animal murals, to illustrating children's activity books. As evident by the extras included in the art, she has combined her love and fascination with outer space (and science fiction) with children’s illustration in both Solar System Forecast and Meet the Planets. Laurie also illustrated Fur and Feathers, Where Should Turtle Be?, Little Skink's Tail, and If a Dolphin Were a Fish for Sylvan Dell. Laurie lives in Florida. See more of her artwork at http://www.lauriekleinarts.com.