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BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY: THE TRUE STORY OF THE PUPPETEER OF MACY'S PARADE

Tony Sarg holding a tiger balloon
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Sweet
Author's First Name: 
Melissa
Publisher: 
Houghton Mifflin
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Inventor, tinkerer, puppeteer, and Macy's Christmas window designer, Tony Sarg came up with the idea of balloon animals for the Thanksgiving Day parade in the 1920s and created ever more complex and engaging ones, a tradition which lasts to this day. With a combination of illustration, photographed toys, and collage and a straightforward, engaging narrative Sweet provides both a brief biography, and homage to the man who made the famous New York parade what it is with his animated balloons. Additionally, she concludes with an author's note, bibliography, and sources. Seven to ten.

Collages, illustrations, and photographs introduce Tony Sarg whose puppet creations for Macy’s windows soon grew bigger than life and became the colorful balloons that soar over Broadway each Thanksgiving morning, delighting parade-watchers all over the world.

Comments

Meeting Notes for November

by ladamson - 11/22/2011 - 11:07pm

Meeting Notes for November 18

Positive Comments:

  • The illustrations of this entertaining topic contain much interesting information.
  • The collages are effective.
  • Although the drawing is not fancy, the illustration embellishments make the pictures special.
  • The story encourages children to inquire about things rather than just accepting without wondering how they happen.
  • The end notes are thorough.
  • Readers can see that Sarg’s childhood interests became fully realized in his adult vocation.
  • Unlike many books created for holidays, this book actually has a reason for being a good holiday book.

Observations:

  • Although identified as an immigrant, the text does not clarify Sarg’s  background.
  • Readers can see that the subject had to overcome many obstacles while trying to create the right balloons for the Macy’s parade.

Concerns:

  • None stated.