Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

From Caldecott Honor artist Melissa Sweet comes the perfect Thanksgiving Day picture book. Let's have a parade!

Meet the master puppeteer who invented the first balloons for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Melissa Sweet brings to life the inspirational story of the puppeteer who invented the giant balloons floating in the sky during the annual parade celebrating Thanksgiving. The Caldecott Honor artist brilliantly captures the essence of Tony Sarg, a self-taught immigrant with a fascinating imagination.

The collage illustrations coupled with Sweet's storytelling portray Sarg's joy in his childhood inventions and his ingenious balloon creations that still bring delight to viewers around the country. This nonfiction illustrated book will capture the hearts of all ages.

"This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high." (Kirkus starred review)

Author: Melissa Sweet
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 11/01/2011
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.86lbs
Size: 9.25h x 11.38w x 0.38d
ISBN: 9780547199450
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.4
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 146536 / Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade


Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - Winner
Award: Children's Book Committee Award - Winner
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Orbis Pictus Award - Winner
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Kite - Winner
Award: Cook Prize - Winner
Award: Monarch Award - Nominee
Award: Delaware Diamonds Award - Nominee
Award: Rhode Island Children's Book Awards - Nominee
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Red Clover Award - Nominee
Award: Lupine Award - Winner
Award: Cybils - Finalist
Award: Land of Enchantment Book Award - Nominee
Award: Bluebonnet Awards - Nominee
Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee
Award: Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Nominee
Award: Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award - Nominee
Award: Jefferson Cup - Winner
Award: Star of the North Picture Book Award - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Winner
Award: Charlotte Zolotow Award - Highly Commended
Award: Virginia Readers Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Nutmeg Book Award - Nominee


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 08/08/2011
School Library Journal 09/01/2011 pg. 138
Booklist 09/15/2011 pg. 61
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2011
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2011 pg. 129
Publishers Weekly Best Books 11/07/2011 pg. 44
New York Times Book Review 11/13/2011 pg. 22
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2011
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2012 pg. 11
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2012 pg. 182 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author

Like Tony Sarg, Melissa Sweet loved to figure out how to make things move as a child. (She even remembers taking apart her own marionettes to see how they worked!) Today, she still plays with simple materials to construct her brilliant mixed-media collage illustrations, for which she has won a Caldecott Honor and two New York Times Best Illustrated citations. About this book, she writes: 　As I began to research Tony Sarg, I was especially curious how he went from illustration and puppetry to designing the huge parade balloons. After I spent five years reading everything I could find on him, the Macy's parade, and puppetry--then traveling all over the map to talk to puppeteers--it seemed incredible that so few people knew of his work. I found him so inspiring, I wanted the whole world to know his story. For more information about the author and her work, visit www.melissasweet.net.