Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Stunning design and story inspires passion for art-making.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
If you've ever seen the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, then you've seen the giant balloon animals that float above the streets, wowing paradegoers young and old. But if you've ever wondered about the history behind those balloons, look no further. Here, the story of Tony Sarg's adventure is explored from his tinkering as a young boy to his continued innovations and energy in crafting puppets and balloons for the Macy's Parade.
Is It Any Good?
BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF MACY'S PARADE is a treasure of a book for kids interested in art, history, and how things work. Using an innovative design approach that combines watercolors, collage, papier mache, old newspaper clippings, and found objects, it recreates the history of an artist's life and the impact of his creations -- the simple, evocative animal balloons that are the signature of the Macy's Parade. But behind this story of how the balloons were created is the story of a boy's curiosity and passion, and how his love for tinkering led to a lifelong career in arts and crafts, without any formal training and only his mind and spirit to guide him.
Kids interesting in these subjects will find a wonderland of ideas and inspiration here. Parents may find themselves learning a thing or two about how "upside-down puppets" are crafted, and set out for a project around the house that could use fixing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about found objects. What are found objects, and how did Tony Sarg use them to solve a problem at his house when he was little? Do you have any found objects? What do you do with them?
What did Tony Sarg mean when he said he'd never done a stroke of work in his life? What do you think it would be fun to do with your life that would never feel like work?
Do you like to tinker? What sorts of things around your house are you curious about how they work?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Melissa Sweet
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Arts , History , Holidays , Puppets
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : HMH Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : November 1, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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