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My Red Balloon by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler A boy takes his red balloon to greet his Navy dad, who has been away at sea for months. From School Library Journal: PreSchool-Grade 4–Today's the day a little boy's Navy Dad comes home after being at sea. As an excited crowd waits for the ship, he holds a Welcome Home red balloon tied tightly around his wrist so that his father can find him on the dock. He loosens the string and sadly watches the balloon float away. Of course, his daddy still finds him and all is well. Gently told, this story shows the joy felt when loved ones come home after serving our country. Realistic details such as the sailors standing on the deck in their dress whites and members of the crowd snapping pictures add authenticity. Similar in tone and theme to Mindy Pelton's When Dad's at Sea (Whitman, 2004) and Sarah Wones Tomp's Red, White, and Blue Good-bye (Walker, 2005), this book's soft, watercolor illustrations reflect the diversity of the Navy's personnel. This is another sensitive, caring title for service families and those who work with them. --Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. From Booklist: PreS. A young, blonde preschooler, Bobby, cannot wait for a huge aircraft carrier to dock; Daddy's ship is coming home after many months at sea. Tension builds as Bobby and his mom leave home and join other families on the quay, watching for the ship, and then, finally, rejoicing as the sailors disembark. To make sure Daddy will recognize him, Bobby carries a big, heart-shaped "Welcome home" balloon. "Daddy won't know me, Bobby cries, after losing the balloon, but Daddy knows his son and lifts him in a smiling embrace. True to the small child's viewpoint, there is no talk of war or patriotism, right or wrong, only that Daddy was "making sure our country stays safe." The clear, idyllic watercolors show the poignant homecoming and one loving family's pride, yearning, and heartfelt reunion. --Hazel Rochman Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved ISBN: 1-59078-263-1 ISBN-13: 978-1-59078-263-7 10.6" x 8.5" hardcover
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