What do you think?
Rate this book
Emily's Balloon
One day, Emily gets a balloon. By the end of the afternoon, the balloon is no longer just a plaything. Emily and the balloon are friends. But when the balloon blows away, what will Emily do? The beautifully evocative illustrations and the timeless innocence of the story make this deceptively simple book a sure classic sweet, compelling, and filled with the wonder and discovery of friendship.
44 pages, Hardcover
First published April 30, 2005
2 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Komako Sakai
61 books28 followersKomako Sakai was born in Hyogo, Japan, in 1966. After graduating from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Sakai worked at a kimono textile design company.
Komako Sakai is one of the most popular children’s author/illustrators in Japan. She has won awards around the world, including Japan Picture Book Prize, a Golden Plaque at the Biennial of Illustration in Slovakia, and a Silver Griffin in the Netherlands.
Komako Sakai is one of the most popular children’s author/illustrators in Japan. She has won awards around the world, including Japan Picture Book Prize, a Golden Plaque at the Biennial of Illustration in Slovakia, and a Silver Griffin in the Netherlands.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
February 13, 2019
Too many books like this, but better, have been allowed to go out of print. And besides, what's the point of the story in the first place? Bibliotherapy for a child who has really lost a balloon, or kite, or other motive toy?
And the ambiguous ending bothers me, too - I see absolutely no reason to hope that the balloon will be intact tomorrow, and even if so, less likelihood that it will still be buoyant.
I thought that the comparison with the moon was good. If Sakai had gone with that, maybe having the mother say something like "The balloon wants to be friends with the moon," or something, then I would have liked it better. Maybe.
Reread. Same reaction. Tie the darn thing to Emily's overall button ferpeetsake.
And the ambiguous ending bothers me, too - I see absolutely no reason to hope that the balloon will be intact tomorrow, and even if so, less likelihood that it will still be buoyant.
I thought that the comparison with the moon was good. If Sakai had gone with that, maybe having the mother say something like "The balloon wants to be friends with the moon," or something, then I would have liked it better. Maybe.
Reread. Same reaction. Tie the darn thing to Emily's overall button ferpeetsake.
October 12, 2012
This is a sweet book with lovely illustrations, but I was neither as wowed by it or as depressed by it as I’d expected. I was afraid it would be too much like The Red Balloon. That book and especially the movie always depressed me. At my elementary school almost every time it rained and we could not go outside at lunchtime recess we would be herded into the auditorium and forced to watch the film The Red Balloon, and I hated it. This book’s story did not really depress me, except when I started thinking about the inevitable potential loss.
But this book is lovely for very young children, as long as they just haven’t had a balloon pop or fly away. It would make a good bedtime story.
The illustrations are so charming, yet even without my adult sensibilities I’m not sure the story is amazing. I do think young children will identify. The author does a good job viewing things from the perception of young kids. And the imaginative play and attachment to inanimate objects are things that will resonate with young children.
This is probably a winner for kids and would make a good present for birth through preschool aged kids, particularly girls named Emily.
5 stars for the pictures, 3 stars for the story but only because I read it as a curmudgeon, I guess.
But this book is lovely for very young children, as long as they just haven’t had a balloon pop or fly away. It would make a good bedtime story.
The illustrations are so charming, yet even without my adult sensibilities I’m not sure the story is amazing. I do think young children will identify. The author does a good job viewing things from the perception of young kids. And the imaginative play and attachment to inanimate objects are things that will resonate with young children.
This is probably a winner for kids and would make a good present for birth through preschool aged kids, particularly girls named Emily.
5 stars for the pictures, 3 stars for the story but only because I read it as a curmudgeon, I guess.
September 8, 2017
Whoa, I'm triggered. One of my earliest childhood memories/traumas (because I only remember traumatic events) is losing a balloon. I remember it bobbing securely in the backseat of the car, then someone opened the door and up it went, into the eternal blue above. The loss of the balloon hit me harder than the loss of my grandfather.
In Emily's Balloon, Sakai captures the sadness of losing a balloon, without making it a complete and total emotional devastation. After her balloon floats away and gets stuck in a high tree, Emily imagines all the (ADORABLE) things she would have done with her floaty friend -- dressed it in a nightcap, cuddled with it in bed, etc.
Plus, the story ends with the balloon in the tree, so there's the potential of Emily getting it back. She's sad and lonely without her balloon friend, but only for one night.
In Emily's Balloon, Sakai captures the sadness of losing a balloon, without making it a complete and total emotional devastation. After her balloon floats away and gets stuck in a high tree, Emily imagines all the (ADORABLE) things she would have done with her floaty friend -- dressed it in a nightcap, cuddled with it in bed, etc.
Plus, the story ends with the balloon in the tree, so there's the potential of Emily getting it back. She's sad and lonely without her balloon friend, but only for one night.
August 29, 2021
Ls ilustraciones de este libro que son hechas por la misma autora son super tiernas. La historia es de un imaginario tan simple y puro. Ideal para niños pequeños.
January 17, 2016
Emily's Balloon, written and illustrated by Komako Sakai, is one of those gorgeous and quiet gems of a picture book I'm afraid might not get seen by enough people. A relatively simple story of a young girl and her yellow balloon is lifted by Sakai's unassuming and effortless text and feather-light illustrations. Sakai's illustrative style is unfettered and interestingly muted: perhaps it not may be to everyone's taste but I find that there is something inherently classic about it. The illustrations by Sakai here make me think back to my childhood and the illustrations I loved (and still love) in the Ernest H. Shepard illustrated versions of Winnie-the-Pooh. Speaking further to the classic appeal of Emily's Balloon, I discovered that this picture book was first published in 2005- and just over ten years later, this book and story are arguably just as relatable and appealing to children and adults now as it would have been back then.
Overall, I highly recommend Emily's Balloon. From the volumes I have read in picture books, I find that it is difficult to make a straightforward and uncomplicated story sing and resonate- but Sakai does just that here. This picture book truly beautiful: a soft and wistful story that will likely speak to all young ones (and will likely be appreciated by adults as well!). I think readers who enjoy their stories on the more serene and introspective side- along the lines of Birgitta Sif, Julie Morstad, Giselle Potter or Marianne Dubuc- might especially enjoy this lovely tale.
I received a copy of this book from Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2019
Emily’s Balloon is a book about a little girl named Emily, who one day, gets a balloon. From that point on, she is attached to that balloon. She has to learn that the balloon will float away if it isn’t weighed-down somehow. Emily does everything with her balloon until it gets stuck in a tree and Emily has to learn how to let go of something she has a bond with.
The main themes of this book are attachment, and adapting to change.
I would give this book a three-star rating because it definitely could be beneficial for a child who has lost something they loved or needs to outgrow a habit, but the actually book lacked a true resolution. The reader is left with Emily feeling sad and discontent.
I thought the book was very cute. I found it to be very relatable as well, as I’m sure many of us would, because as children we all had something we were very attached to, whether it was a stuffed animal, a toy train, or a balloon. The book served as a reminder to me that material things are temporary and don’t matter in the long run.
I would recommend this book to be read to younger children who might be struggling with letting go of an attachment, reminding them that everything will be ok without it. The book also can serve as a refresher for young adults, teachers, parents, etc. that read it because it sends the message that it is important to remember not to become too attached to material objects, like cell phones, laptops, etc.
The main themes of this book are attachment, and adapting to change.
I would give this book a three-star rating because it definitely could be beneficial for a child who has lost something they loved or needs to outgrow a habit, but the actually book lacked a true resolution. The reader is left with Emily feeling sad and discontent.
I thought the book was very cute. I found it to be very relatable as well, as I’m sure many of us would, because as children we all had something we were very attached to, whether it was a stuffed animal, a toy train, or a balloon. The book served as a reminder to me that material things are temporary and don’t matter in the long run.
I would recommend this book to be read to younger children who might be struggling with letting go of an attachment, reminding them that everything will be ok without it. The book also can serve as a refresher for young adults, teachers, parents, etc. that read it because it sends the message that it is important to remember not to become too attached to material objects, like cell phones, laptops, etc.
May 16, 2022
Gentle story about Emily and her yellow, latex, helium-filled balloon. The illustrations are charming.
January 9, 2019
A sweet, simple book about the friendship that develops between Emily and her new balloon. The disappointment Emily feels when the wind blows her balloon into a tree is one that very young children can empathize with. I found the book to be rather calming and soothing - one that is perfect for reading with my little one before nap or bedtime.
October 10, 2021
A really sweet and simple story about a toddler and their balloon. I liked how each page had only a few words - making it suitable for really young ones with short attention spans. I also liked how the balloon was colored a bright yellow and everything else was more muted so the eye is always drawn to the balloon as soon as you turn to the next page.
May 8, 2024
A girl gets a balloon, plays with it and then the balloon gets stuck in a tall tree and her mother cannot take it down. The girl is sad because she wanted to do lots of things with her new friend. Mother promises to get her the balloon the next day. This is a lovely story about children and how to deal with frustration.
February 6, 2017
A sweet picture book about Emily and the balloon they bought. The first one flew away. They bought another and tied it to Emily. At home, it tried to fly away again. They tied it to a spoon and it became Emily's playmate.
September 7, 2021
I love the way Sakai draws her young protagonist. Even with gentle pencil strokes, the illustration resonates with a toddler's movements so well. The story is quiet and sweet too. All around, a nice read!
January 29, 2023
The author is a genius at writing very simple stories from a young child's viewpoint, their concerns, worries, joys, and fascinations. Her books are always more than the sum of their parts and her illustrations are sublime.
August 17, 2018
This book is magical!
January 18, 2019
Sweet and easy for the little ones, but almost stilted...
June 13, 2019
Kinda conflicted here. I like the imagination and the tenderness, but I didn't care for the ending at all. Too odd and open-ended...
September 3, 2019
Easy read with a wonderful little girl, Emily, who interacts with a balloon.
Read
May 28, 20200
September 8, 2020
This is a lovely old fashioned picture book, with a small child who has a strong sense of competency but also faith in the care the adult around her will provide.
January 17, 2023
Cute read, glad I picked it up.
February 9, 2023
An experience with a balloon that resonates with all children. Simply told. Beautifully illustrated. Perfect.
January 23, 2024
I really like the illustrations.
June 26, 2024
Una storia davvero dolcissima
July 15, 2024
Cute. 23 month old enjoyed it
March 14, 2017
A sweet book about a girl and her balloon. Read it about 7 times while babysitting Sunday so I also appreciated the conciseness of language!
December 22, 2016
AR Quiz No. 106237 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 1.0 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 1.0 - AR Pts: 0.5
December 7, 2018
Cute, simple, and sad with the little girl losing hope when her balloon gets stuck in a tree. Cute, simple and an understandable character and probably that i get.
February 17, 2015
Oh, what a delight! The artwork is the story, although there are words--enough.
Emily gets and loses a balloon. A second balloon is tied to her finger until she and her mother get home. The balloon is filled with helium so it ends up on the ceiling upon its release. The mother then ties a spoon to the string. Emily plays with her balloon all day until a strong wind whips it away and twists it around a branch of a tree. It is now too high to retrieve, leaving Emily sad. But her mother has a plan for tomorrow so Emily rests.
Ms. Sakai is an incredible artist and her books, including this, her first one in English, is so beautiful. The pictures say so much. There is one drawing viewed from the back of the couch. Mother and Emily are doing something together that we cannot see. Emily's head is leaning on her mother and she is looking down. It is from a priceless vantage point. Each drawing is its own prize. She works in acrylic, oil pencils, and charcoal. The drawings are simple yet say it all.
Reading Level: 1 - 12 Years (actually...a book for all ages!)
Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Books 2007
Kirkus Reviews, Best Children's Books of 2006, Best Early Chapter Books
Book Links, Best New Books for the Classroom
New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2006
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Booklist, starred review
Child magazine, Best Books of 2006
Horn Book Fanfare List, Best Books of 2006
Author and Illustrator:
Komako Sakai was born and lives in Japan. After graduating from Tokyo's National University of Fine Arts and Music, Miss Sakai worked as a designer of kimonos as well as in other Japanese traditional textiles. She then began writing and illustrating children's books and is currently one of the most popular author-illustrators in Japan. She also illustrates for other authors. http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/...
I found an interview with some of her art there as well @ http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethin... (Please click on the picture at the top of the interview as the detail is incredible showing Komako's grasp of her subjects.)
Emily gets and loses a balloon. A second balloon is tied to her finger until she and her mother get home. The balloon is filled with helium so it ends up on the ceiling upon its release. The mother then ties a spoon to the string. Emily plays with her balloon all day until a strong wind whips it away and twists it around a branch of a tree. It is now too high to retrieve, leaving Emily sad. But her mother has a plan for tomorrow so Emily rests.
Ms. Sakai is an incredible artist and her books, including this, her first one in English, is so beautiful. The pictures say so much. There is one drawing viewed from the back of the couch. Mother and Emily are doing something together that we cannot see. Emily's head is leaning on her mother and she is looking down. It is from a priceless vantage point. Each drawing is its own prize. She works in acrylic, oil pencils, and charcoal. The drawings are simple yet say it all.
Reading Level: 1 - 12 Years (actually...a book for all ages!)
Awards:
ALA Notable Children's Books 2007
Kirkus Reviews, Best Children's Books of 2006, Best Early Chapter Books
Book Links, Best New Books for the Classroom
New York Public Library's 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing 2006
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Booklist, starred review
Child magazine, Best Books of 2006
Horn Book Fanfare List, Best Books of 2006
Author and Illustrator:
Komako Sakai was born and lives in Japan. After graduating from Tokyo's National University of Fine Arts and Music, Miss Sakai worked as a designer of kimonos as well as in other Japanese traditional textiles. She then began writing and illustrating children's books and is currently one of the most popular author-illustrators in Japan. She also illustrates for other authors. http://www.booksfromjapan.jp/authors/...
I found an interview with some of her art there as well @ http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethin... (Please click on the picture at the top of the interview as the detail is incredible showing Komako's grasp of her subjects.)
February 9, 2008
A beautiful, very gentle picture book about a little girl and her balloon.
One afternoon Emily's mother buys her a balloon. When they get home after Emily "looses" the balloon around the house a few times Emily's mother ties a spoon to the string so the balloon hovers above the ground. Emily takes the balloon outside and they play the afternoon away. They pick flowers together, make crowns for both of them and play house. Then Emily's balloon is blown into a tree from a big gust of wind. Emily's mother can't reach the balloon and tells Emily she will have to wait until she can borrow a ladder from a neighbor in the morning. Emily imagines all the things her and her balloon could have done together to get ready for bed and then with one final look out the window says goodnight to her balloon and goes to bed to wait for her mother to rescue it the next morning.
One afternoon Emily's mother buys her a balloon. When they get home after Emily "looses" the balloon around the house a few times Emily's mother ties a spoon to the string so the balloon hovers above the ground. Emily takes the balloon outside and they play the afternoon away. They pick flowers together, make crowns for both of them and play house. Then Emily's balloon is blown into a tree from a big gust of wind. Emily's mother can't reach the balloon and tells Emily she will have to wait until she can borrow a ladder from a neighbor in the morning. Emily imagines all the things her and her balloon could have done together to get ready for bed and then with one final look out the window says goodnight to her balloon and goes to bed to wait for her mother to rescue it the next morning.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews