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Earth Systems & Human Activity
Balloon Trees
Title: Balloon Trees <>Binding: Paperback <>Author: DannaSmith <>Publisher: SylvanDellPublishing
32 pages, Paperback
First published February 10, 2013
2 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Danna Smith
32 books65 followersWhen Danna was a child, her favorite “toy” was a pencil. Today, she is a poet and award-winning author of over twenty-five books for children. Danna lives in northern California with her husband, children, and grandchildren. For more information about her books and teaching activities, visit her website at www.dannadmithbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 11, 2013
This rhyming book teaches how balloons are made. Includes several pages of activities in the back. Great for the new Common Core Standards. Will be trying to recommend this book and the others by this publisher Sylvan Dell Publishing.
October 5, 2017
This went over quite well in my Preschool story time. The kids were delighted that balloons are bathed, baked in an oven, tumbled in a washing machine, and then given a 'test'. They noticed that there was a little bird on every page and enjoyed the rhymes. An excellent example of a nonfiction picture book, and highly recommended!
I brought in a cluster of balloons for this story time and we had fun tying a balloon to different objects to see which ones would float and which ones would sink.
A fun rhyme we used as well:
A is for alligator CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP (clap your hands with arms out straight)
B is for balloon POP POP POP (clap hands)
C is for circle, turn around (turn around, hands above head like a ballerina)
D is for dizzy, let’s sit down. (back of hand to forehead, sit down)
First time at normal speed, then try doing it extra slow, and then doing it fast.
I brought in a cluster of balloons for this story time and we had fun tying a balloon to different objects to see which ones would float and which ones would sink.
A fun rhyme we used as well:
A is for alligator CHOMP CHOMP CHOMP (clap your hands with arms out straight)
B is for balloon POP POP POP (clap hands)
C is for circle, turn around (turn around, hands above head like a ballerina)
D is for dizzy, let’s sit down. (back of hand to forehead, sit down)
First time at normal speed, then try doing it extra slow, and then doing it fast.
September 7, 2016
What a wonderful start-to-finish non-fiction picture book for young children! The rhyming text is a great way to get across the concepts. But, the bottom-line for this title is how simple, clean and easily understood it is. The child reader will understand how balloons are made when they finish this title.
I can't remember the last time I saw a non-fiction book for young children that I could so readily recommend. I particularly recommend it for young boys because of the topic and the process through the factory settings with lots of trucks and machines. But, I know girls will find it fascinating, too. I did.
I hope this author continues to write non-fiction as there is such a great need to have how-to or how-do-they-do-it books for preschool and early elementary children.
I can't remember the last time I saw a non-fiction book for young children that I could so readily recommend. I particularly recommend it for young boys because of the topic and the process through the factory settings with lots of trucks and machines. But, I know girls will find it fascinating, too. I did.
I hope this author continues to write non-fiction as there is such a great need to have how-to or how-do-they-do-it books for preschool and early elementary children.
April 24, 2014
Loved this! I think science-minded kids will enjoy the fascinating tale of how a tree is the original source of rubber that makes balloons and teachers/parents will enjoy the simple text that explains the process. Links and notes at the end to further learning. Nicely done!
June 4, 2018
Wonderful book to use for Science with primary kids. The book breaks down the process of how balloons are made using simple text and beautiful illustrations. Definitely recommend this for any teacher's classroom library.
February 24, 2023
I like this book and it was definitely short enough for preschool storytime. However, perhaps most preschoolers aren't yet curious about how things are made, because it did not seem to keep kids' interest. I still think it's a good book, I simply chose the wrong audience. I enjoyed learning about the process myself, and it is unusual to find such an informative book that is short and rhyming.
December 16, 2017
Balloon Trees (Hardcover)
by Danna Smith
Read to a first grade class showing the process of creating rubber balloons from tree sap to balloon. Very detailed and with great picture illustrations.
by Danna Smith
Read to a first grade class showing the process of creating rubber balloons from tree sap to balloon. Very detailed and with great picture illustrations.
October 22, 2025
LFL find. Lots of back matter, but doesn't address what the plantations do to the wildlife habitats, or what the working conditions are for the farmers and help.
May 9, 2013
Balloon Trees” by Danna Smith is a wonderfully fun book to read aloud to young children. The poetic verse cadence lends itself to joyfully singing the text. Balloons are always fun and entertaining for children and so is reading about how they are made.
Full color pictures accompany informative text about the making of rubber. I found this book to be just delightful and will use it this summer for my summer reading program at school. The fun text and pictures make it a good read for small children and the informative nature of the making of rubber makes this a great book for elementary children as well. (reviewed by Claudette Delorge, Librarian)
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Balloon Trees was provided by Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
Author: Danna Smith received excellent reviews for Pirate Nap and Two at the Zoo, which was featured in Parenting Magazine and is a Raising Readers board book special edition. The inspiration for her most recent book, Balloon Trees, came from her husband’s line of work running a rubber manufacturing plant. Although his company makes industrial rubber products, Danna chose to follow the creation of a fun product that is near and dear to a child’s heart: the balloon. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two grown children, and their cocker spaniel, Peanut. Visit her website at www.dannasmithbooks.com.
Illustrator: Laurie Allen Klein has been a freelance artist for nearly 25 years. Over the last several years, she has worked as the on-staff artist for a marine park, where she does everything from painting life-size sea animal murals, to illustrating children's activity books. As evident by the extras included in the art, she has combined her love and fascination with outer space (and science fiction) with children’s illustration in both Solar System Forecast and Meet the Planets. Laurie also illustrated Fur and Feathers, Where Should Turtle Be?, Little Skink's Tail, and If a Dolphin Were a Fish for Sylvan Dell. Laurie lives in Florida. See more of her artwork at http://www.lauriekleinarts.com.
They slice the bark then add a spout--
white milky latex drip-drops out.
The simple cup the tappers use
collects the natural, sappy ooze.
Full color pictures accompany informative text about the making of rubber. I found this book to be just delightful and will use it this summer for my summer reading program at school. The fun text and pictures make it a good read for small children and the informative nature of the making of rubber makes this a great book for elementary children as well. (reviewed by Claudette Delorge, Librarian)
The new balloons then make some stops
where spinning brushes roll the tops.
Toward the tub they take a ride.
They soak in water side by side.
DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Balloon Trees was provided by Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer.
Author: Danna Smith received excellent reviews for Pirate Nap and Two at the Zoo, which was featured in Parenting Magazine and is a Raising Readers board book special edition. The inspiration for her most recent book, Balloon Trees, came from her husband’s line of work running a rubber manufacturing plant. Although his company makes industrial rubber products, Danna chose to follow the creation of a fun product that is near and dear to a child’s heart: the balloon. She lives in Northern California with her husband, two grown children, and their cocker spaniel, Peanut. Visit her website at www.dannasmithbooks.com.
Illustrator: Laurie Allen Klein has been a freelance artist for nearly 25 years. Over the last several years, she has worked as the on-staff artist for a marine park, where she does everything from painting life-size sea animal murals, to illustrating children's activity books. As evident by the extras included in the art, she has combined her love and fascination with outer space (and science fiction) with children’s illustration in both Solar System Forecast and Meet the Planets. Laurie also illustrated Fur and Feathers, Where Should Turtle Be?, Little Skink's Tail, and If a Dolphin Were a Fish for Sylvan Dell. Laurie lives in Florida. See more of her artwork at http://www.lauriekleinarts.com.
April 28, 2013
My Review: This is a great book that would teach children about how balloons are made and where the rubber used to make them comes from. This book goes into details on how the tappers start at dawn to slice the bark and tie a container to the tree and then the white milky latex drips out and into the container. The containers are then loaded on a tanker and shipped to the factory where a special mix and color is added to the white latex. The balloons are shaped, colored and cleaned put in a box and shipped off to the stores.
This book includes four pages of learning activities for creative minds. How rubber is the most important raw materials in the world with thousands of uses.
The first rubber trees grew in the Amazon area of Brazil. Rubber is used to make balls, latex paint, rubber bands, pencil erasers, car tires, latex gloves and rubber boots and many more.
I recommend this book for classroom teaching. The illustrations by Laurie A. Klein are colorful and helps tell the story.
FTC Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from Sylvan Dell Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review. I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion in any way.
November 3, 2013
Synopsis: Ever wonder how a balloon is made? Follow the journey of a balloon from its beginnings as gooey sap in a tree to its completion at a rubber factory. You'll be surprised to discover what a balloon started out as and how it becomes the bright, air-filled decoration that you enjoy today.
Review: I was given a copy of Balloon Trees by Savannah Mae’s book blog for an honest review. I liked the rhyming in this book. It made it fun and an interesting. This book is about how balloons are made and it goes from how it is sap in a tree to the completion at the rubber factory. It was a cute story and I think that children would really enjoy learning how a balloon is made. The pictures are nicely done and draw the reader in and I think children would enjoy the pictures as well. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!
Review: I was given a copy of Balloon Trees by Savannah Mae’s book blog for an honest review. I liked the rhyming in this book. It made it fun and an interesting. This book is about how balloons are made and it goes from how it is sap in a tree to the completion at the rubber factory. It was a cute story and I think that children would really enjoy learning how a balloon is made. The pictures are nicely done and draw the reader in and I think children would enjoy the pictures as well. I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars!
April 11, 2013
A look at how balloons are made from tapping rubber trees to factory production. A bright green bird guides readers through each step of the process which is illustrated in colored pencils.
Following the story are extension activities that give readers more information about rubber as a natural resource, a game that includes everyday items that contain rubber, a balloon sequencing activity that challenges readers to recall the steps in balloon manufacturing, and a true/false quiz.
The way the process is covered in this story reminds me of an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood making this a title I'd recommend for grades PreK-2.
Following the story are extension activities that give readers more information about rubber as a natural resource, a game that includes everyday items that contain rubber, a balloon sequencing activity that challenges readers to recall the steps in balloon manufacturing, and a true/false quiz.
The way the process is covered in this story reminds me of an episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood making this a title I'd recommend for grades PreK-2.
October 9, 2013
This kind of 'how things are made' book always reminds me of Picture-Picture on Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. Which made me immediately think that this book is probably already covered by youtube videos. It is, but you have to watch two separate videos to get both the harvesting of latex and the manufacture of balloons. I didn't get much value added out of the rhyming text and the illustrations. Duplicating discovery channel videos doesn't seem like a good use of a hard-copy four-color picturebook. I did like Laurie Klein's visual device of the bird on every page, giving each stage of the process a presence and a personal 'hook' to follow.
February 20, 2013
What child doesn't love balloons?
But do they have any idea how balloons are made?
This charming educational book shows through photos and lively text how balloons start from rubber trees to factory to a child's hand. It's easy to follow with a charming bird flying from page to page for a child's eye view of the balloon-making process. Colors swirls into bright balloons while facts are mingled with fun.
EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS AND PARENTS.
Don't just buy your own child a copy -- buy one for your library, too. Kids who love to learn will thank you!
But do they have any idea how balloons are made?
This charming educational book shows through photos and lively text how balloons start from rubber trees to factory to a child's hand. It's easy to follow with a charming bird flying from page to page for a child's eye view of the balloon-making process. Colors swirls into bright balloons while facts are mingled with fun.
EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS AND PARENTS.
Don't just buy your own child a copy -- buy one for your library, too. Kids who love to learn will thank you!
July 16, 2013
Straight forward, simple nonfiction rhyming book of how a balloon is made. It's perfect for young readers. I love that author Danna Smith included back matter: More information on rubber, a fun game in which readers get to guess what item is made of rubber, an activity on the sequencing of balloon making, and a true or false quiz is included. Balloon Trees is aligned to state and core standards. A wonderful educational book that is fun to read. Lauri Allen Klein also did a fabulous job on the illustrations. A+
March 22, 2013
Told in rhyming text, this story of how a balloon begins as rubber in a tree that needs to be tapped is sure to interest curious young readers. The book includes all the steps in the balloon-making process, including being tested for quality. Few readers will have any idea of all the work that goes into producing the balloons that make a party festive. The colorful illustrations add to the book's interest, and make the subject even more interesting.
July 16, 2013
Before reading this book I never considered how balloons are made. Danna Smith did a wonderful job of making the information and process behind these simple party decorations entertaining and informative. Educators can easily add this book in with their science curriculum too. In the afterward there is addition information, a sequencing test, and true/false questions to test your memory on the balloon making steps.
March 28, 2013
In bright and colorful illustrations by Laurie Klein, Danna Smith tells how a balloon is made from 'balloon trees'. What an excellent book on learning about the Rubber Tree and how it is tapped to get the latex that is later used to make balloons. Much of this information I didn't even know! It was super fun for my little ones to learn something that was new to Mom also.
July 31, 2014
Interesting topic, but keeping it in rhyme leads to some odd sentences and actually makes it harder to understand the information. It's really cool to learn how balloons are made - I wish the information had been presented in a simpler, straightforward manner. Actual photos would've been nice, too.
May 18, 2013
It is a fun book for kids. Not only because of the outstanding illustrations with pleasant bright colors but also very educational that make kids want to turn the page and learn more.
December 26, 2013
This book left me feeling rather meh about the topic. Perhaps it was written with Common Core in mind? If I could give 1.75 stars, I would.
February 2, 2014
My toddler chose this at the library. I was pleasantly surprised to find it described in detail the process of making balloons, starting from tapping trees for raw latex.
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June 1, 2014J 633.8952 SMI Explains how balloons are made along with rhyming text and wonderful pictures.
February 10, 2015
My youngest wasn't interested but I thought it was great. I loved the activities at the end, it was informative. Great kids book, my son will probably enjoy it more once he starts getting older.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews