Wednesday, April 6, 2022

The Wishing Balloons by Jonathan D. Voss - ADVISABLE

The Wishing Balloons by Jonathan D. Voss
. PICTURE BOOK. Henry Holt (Macmillan), 2022. $19. 9781250317377 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Albert has just moved next door to Dot, but Albert is always looking sad. Dot comes up with different ways to make Albert happy, but after a few tries, Dot realizes that cheering up may not be what Albert needs. 

Voss’s impressionist illustrations add a lush note to his wistful look at a dimension of friendship that is very under-rated – empathy. Voss has set it up so that many children, like me, will get frustrated with how unresponsive Albert is to Dot’s overtures. But when they get it (like I finally got it), and can internalize the lesson, they will be better friends because of it. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

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