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Melissa Sweet
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Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade Hardcover – Picture Book, November 1, 2011

by Melissa Sweet (Author, Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,952 ratings
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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)

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD1000L
  6. Dimensions
    11 x 0.38 x 9 inches
  7. Publisher
    Clarion Books
  8. Publication date
    November 1, 2011
  9. ISBN-10
    0547199457
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0547199450
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

Balloons Over Broadway

1

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review



Sketches from the Author
(Click on Images to Enlarge)


Sometimes I have to play with pictures to find the words, so I'll make a collage to get warmed up.
My writing looks like lists and doodles until the very end when I write it out on the computer.
An early sketch in Tony Sarg's studio where they puppeteers are figuring out how to make the inflatable animals.
This was the perfect place to have a spread that had to be turned, just like the "upside down marionettes" rising up.
In a nonfiction book even the smallest detail needs to be accurate and I found this wonderful reference for a 1920's New York City bus stop sign that I used in Balloons Over Broadway.

Review

“Sweet’s brilliant combination of collage, design, illustration and text give Balloons Over Broadway an amazing richness. [No one] will ever see the parade in the same way.” — New York Times Book Review

"Sweet tells this slice of American history well, conveying both Sarg’s enthusiasm and joy in his work as well as the drama and excitement of the parade. This one should float off the shelves." — School Library Journal (starred review)

“Tony Sarg, the man who invented the giant balloons of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, has found a worthy biographer in Caldecott Honoree Sweet. The rush that comes from inspiration, the cliffhanger moments of creation, the sheer joy of building something and watching it delight the multitudes—Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Sweet’s whimsical mixed-media collages, embellished with little dolls she made herself out of odds and ends, reinforce the theme that, for Sarg, work was play." — Horn Book (starred review)

“A joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts.” — Booklist (starred review)

“It’s a history lesson, inventor's sketchbook, and inspirational story all rolled into one marvelous mixed-media masterpiece. Sweet's beautifully rendered true-life tale will have your child's imagination soaring to new heights!” — Education.com

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Clarion Books; Illustrated edition (November 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0547199457
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0547199450
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 8 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD1000L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 11 x 0.38 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 1,952 ratings

About the author

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Melissa Sweet

Melissa Sweet

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Melissa Sweet is a New York Times bestselling author and has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books. Her work ranges from board books to picture books and nonfiction titles and her collages and paintings have appeared in the New York Times, Martha Stewart Living, and for eeBoo Toys. She has received numerous awards including the Sibert Medal, NCTE's Orbis Pictus Award, as well as two Caldecott Honor awards: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, and The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus, both by Jen Bryant.

Sweet has written and illustrated four books: The New York Times Best Illustrated Carmine: A Little More Red; Tupelo Rides the Rails; The Sibert Award Winner Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade; and Some Writer! The Story of E.B.White.

Her newest book is How to Read a Book by Kwame Alexander, (June, 2019).

Melissa lives with her husband and dogs in Portland, Maine. For more information, visit www.melissasweet.net.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
1,952 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

pamela
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a good book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
I ordered this for my grandchildren ages 6 and 3. I plan to give it them next month but I know they will enjoy it. I enjoyed reading it! This is a story I never knew of who first created the huge balloons in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. The story is interesting and the illustrations are beautiful!
4 people found this helpful
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P. Hood
5.0 out of 5 stars Great story but long
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
Verified Purchase
This was perfect to read before Thanksgiving. My class also created their own “balloons” after reading
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L _CarterMama
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
Verified Purchase
I purchased this book to read to my class of third graders right before Thanksgiving break. The book was beautifully illustrated and interested. I loved the factual information it provided. I paired it with some YouTube videos about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. This was a perfect supplement read aloud for a fun annual American tradition.
6 people found this helpful
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Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting book full of parade history
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2020
Verified Purchase
Balloons Over Broadway is a charming tales with vivid descriptions and pictures. I read this book to my preschool class and they were mystified by the magic and mechanics this books portrays. This book is truly a all in one type story, it includes history with the actual story of Tony and the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, it has the enchanting magic of a holiday themed story, but also includes a STEM aspect as the story explains how Tony came to invent his giant balloons. Balloons Over Broad also includes beautifully illustrated pictures that will grab the attention of children and adults, using a simplistic style but also including some images from Tony's actual life. Overall, this is a perfect book that explains an important part of Thanksgiving Day history and introduces an opportunity to learn about how parades came to be.
11 people found this helpful
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Andrea Ingrassia
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Book to Talk about the Macys Day Parade
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
This book is a perfect way to talk about the Macys Thanksgiving Day parade! I would read it grades 3-12! Very interesting and informative!
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Alison Carlsson
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this book to read to my daughter's 4th grade class. I loved everything about this book. It is definitely for older elementary students. The class really enjoyed the book. Glad I chose this book and highly recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Sandra K. Stiles
5.0 out of 5 stars Love, Love, Loved It
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love learning something from a picture book. This is the story of how we got the Macy's Day Parade. It started with a young boy who loved puppets and making things move. Tony Sang worked with Marionettes for years. Mr. Macy wanted to create a window display and hired Tony. Then he decided to create a parade for his employees and Mr. Sang helped with that. You will need to read the book to see how a simple window display evolved into the Macy's Day Parade we have today. I loved this book.
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Gina Hanna
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book so much!
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
I read this to my second grade classroom every year around thanksgiving time. It’s always a hit and there’s so many neat project ideas you can do with it.
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Top reviews from other countries

Jay
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous illustrations & nice history
Reviewed in Canada on November 30, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this for a little 7 year old boy with whom I have a tradition of watching the Macy’s Parade (he even gets a skip day from school since we are Canadian) and we were both thrilled with the book. The illustration style is beautiful and colorful while giving a true sense of the history behind the balloons. The story itself is quite a bit more detailed than I expected and should be suitable for kids who are a bit older too. Highly recommended for anyone who loves the parade balloons, or for anyone who’s actually attended in person. Really a lovely purchase.
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XENIA
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful wonderful book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
What an amazing book!

On one hand, the inspiring story of Tony Sarg who first designed and started the Macy's parade in New York. His life and work demonstrates innovation, creativity and true love for ones work (art in his occasion).

On the other hand, the amazing lay out of the book by Melissa Sweet. So different, so creative, so colourful! Her collages look as if the book is three dimensional!

And even though I have a baby son and bought this book to share it with him, I find myself going through it over and over again when he is bed.

I would definitely recommend it!
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Storygirl
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Story
Reviewed in Canada on December 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
I love this story and the history of the balloons and parade are wonderful.
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