There’s something about balloons that just spells fun; more so if they’re helium-filled and seem to take on a life of their own — almost like ephemeral pets threatening to escape as soon as you loosen your grip on their flimsy leashes. Then again, watching them float away to an unknown destination is part of the magic, isn’t it?

  
Still, sometimes, you can’t help but wonder where they end up — as does little Theo when his green balloon inadvertently ups and disappears into the skies. Lucky for him, and us, his big brother Zeke knows exactly what happens to lost balloons.

I love books that take an unexpected leap into the realm of pure storytelling magic, and Once Upon a Balloon is definitely one of them. By turns imaginative, humorous, and surprisingly moving and inspiring, this whimsically illustrated and soaringly original book is perfect for anyone who has ‘lost’ balloons to account for.

  
Of course, there’s probably a disillusioning logical explanation (air pressure? bah!) just waiting to burst the balloon, so to speak. But you know what? I think science can wait.

p.s. I reckon everybody needs a big brother or sister who knows “everything about everything”!