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The Remember Balloons
James’s Grandpa has the best balloons because he has the best memories. He has balloons showing Dad when he was young and Grandma when they were married. Grandpa has balloons about camping and Aunt Nelle’s poor cow. Grandpa also has a silver balloon filled with the memory of a fishing trip he and James took together.
But when Grandpa’s balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can’t catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon—and he doesn’t even notice!
Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It’s up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
But when Grandpa’s balloons begin to float away, James is heartbroken. No matter how hard he runs, James can’t catch them. One day, Grandpa lets go of the silver balloon—and he doesn’t even notice!
Grandpa no longer has balloons of his own. But James has many more than before. It’s up to him to share those balloons, one by one.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published August 28, 2018
9 people are currently reading
1305 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Oliveros
7 books56 followersJessie grew up watching Kansas sunsets, and she’ll always have wild sunflowers and gold-tipped cornfields in her heart. She spent her college-life climbing mountains in Utah and striving for higher vistas. After a fulfilling career as a registered nurse, Jessie hung up her stethoscope to grow children and stories. She loves root beer floats, autumn, and running in the rain. These days you can find her in the Texas hill country with her husband and their five kids.
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April 25, 2025
آخرین باری که مامانبزرگ منو شناخت، وسط تعریف کردن یه خاطره نصفه بود.
داشت قصه عروسی خالهش رو تعریف میکرد، که داماد اسب آورده بوده برای عروس بردن و زیر پنجره خونه عروس منتظر بوده که ... و بعد، یهدفعه قصهشو ول کرد و باتعجب نگام کرد. با اون چشمهایی که انگار پشتش رو مه غلیظ گرفته بود خیره شد و گفت:
تو همونی نیستی که… همیشه شیرینی میدزدی از قابلمه؟
خندیدم. گفتم: آره مامانجون، همونم.
فکر کردم داره باهام شوخی میکنه.
چون یه لحظه، فقط یه لحظه، لبخند زد و بعد باز خیره شد. انگار دکمه خاموش شدن فیوز رو توی ذهنش زده باشن.
از اون روز به بعد دیگه مامانبزرگم منو یادش نیومد، من شدم یه آدم بینام، یه پرستار، هرکسی غیر خودم. هربار که وارد اتاقش میشدم، انگار بار اولم بود.
میپرسید شما دکترین؟ یا میگفت اینجا کجاست؟ خونه من نیست. من باید برگردم پیش بچه هام.
وضعیت البته با همه همینجوری بود. دیگه حتی بابام رو که محبوب ترین بچهش بود رو هم نمیشناخت.
خیلی قبل از اینکه آلزایمرش پیشرفت کنه، پاشم دیگه کار نمیکرد. آرتروز جونش رو گرفته بود، افتاده بود رو تخت، اسیر بین بالشهایی که مدام باید جابهجا میشدن تا زخم بستر نگیره؛ که باوجود همه مراقبت ها گرفت. چند روز هم بخاطرش بیمارستان بستری بود که یه شبش رو من پیشش موندم به جای مامانم. خیلی ناراحتش بودم چون زخمش عفونت کرده بود و خیلی ناله میکرد، زانوها و پشتش خیلی درد داشت و حتی نمیشد لمسش کرد، گوارشش هم درست کار نمیکرد و هرروز داشت ضعیف تر میشد.
ولی اینا درد واقعی نبود. درد اونجا بود که اون شب توی بیمارستان با صدای لرزون بهم گفت: خانم پرستار من بچه دارم؟
و من، با زبونی که خشک شده بود، فقط تونستم بگم: آره مامانجون داری، منم نوهتم.
بعد اون گفت: پس چرا منو ول کردن و هیچکدومشون نمیان یه سر بزنن بهم؟
و من… اون شب رفتم توی دستشویی و به آینه زل زدم. به همون نوهای که میاومد، هر هفته، هر تعطیلی، تنها یا با بقیه، ولی دیگه دیده نمیشد. شناخته نمیشد. وجود نداشت. و بعد برای مامان بزرگ و تنهایی عمیق بیانتهاش توی ذهنش زار زار گریه کردم.
داشت قصه عروسی خالهش رو تعریف میکرد، که داماد اسب آورده بوده برای عروس بردن و زیر پنجره خونه عروس منتظر بوده که ... و بعد، یهدفعه قصهشو ول کرد و باتعجب نگام کرد. با اون چشمهایی که انگار پشتش رو مه غلیظ گرفته بود خیره شد و گفت:
تو همونی نیستی که… همیشه شیرینی میدزدی از قابلمه؟
خندیدم. گفتم: آره مامانجون، همونم.
فکر کردم داره باهام شوخی میکنه.
چون یه لحظه، فقط یه لحظه، لبخند زد و بعد باز خیره شد. انگار دکمه خاموش شدن فیوز رو توی ذهنش زده باشن.
از اون روز به بعد دیگه مامانبزرگم منو یادش نیومد، من شدم یه آدم بینام، یه پرستار، هرکسی غیر خودم. هربار که وارد اتاقش میشدم، انگار بار اولم بود.
میپرسید شما دکترین؟ یا میگفت اینجا کجاست؟ خونه من نیست. من باید برگردم پیش بچه هام.
وضعیت البته با همه همینجوری بود. دیگه حتی بابام رو که محبوب ترین بچهش بود رو هم نمیشناخت.
خیلی قبل از اینکه آلزایمرش پیشرفت کنه، پاشم دیگه کار نمیکرد. آرتروز جونش رو گرفته بود، افتاده بود رو تخت، اسیر بین بالشهایی که مدام باید جابهجا میشدن تا زخم بستر نگیره؛ که باوجود همه مراقبت ها گرفت. چند روز هم بخاطرش بیمارستان بستری بود که یه شبش رو من پیشش موندم به جای مامانم. خیلی ناراحتش بودم چون زخمش عفونت کرده بود و خیلی ناله میکرد، زانوها و پشتش خیلی درد داشت و حتی نمیشد لمسش کرد، گوارشش هم درست کار نمیکرد و هرروز داشت ضعیف تر میشد.
ولی اینا درد واقعی نبود. درد اونجا بود که اون شب توی بیمارستان با صدای لرزون بهم گفت: خانم پرستار من بچه دارم؟
و من، با زبونی که خشک شده بود، فقط تونستم بگم: آره مامانجون داری، منم نوهتم.
بعد اون گفت: پس چرا منو ول کردن و هیچکدومشون نمیان یه سر بزنن بهم؟
و من… اون شب رفتم توی دستشویی و به آینه زل زدم. به همون نوهای که میاومد، هر هفته، هر تعطیلی، تنها یا با بقیه، ولی دیگه دیده نمیشد. شناخته نمیشد. وجود نداشت. و بعد برای مامان بزرگ و تنهایی عمیق بیانتهاش توی ذهنش زار زار گریه کردم.
April 25, 2025
چقدر لطیف راجع به آلزایمر و خاطرات گفت.
یادمه چندین سال پیش، سر یه کلاسی یه بحثی داشتیم مبنی بر اینکه آلزایمر یه جور مکانیسم دفاعی شخص تو سنهای بالاتره که بتونه با نبود خیلی چیزا کنارش راحت تر کنار بیاد، چون احتمالا بچه هاش تا اون سن خودشون خیلی درگیر شدند و دیگه توجه و دقت لازم نمیشه و فلان؛ ولی وقتی خودت این طرف قضیه رو تجربه میکنی خیلی هم مکانیسم دفاعی به نظر نمیرسه.
۲.۱۴۰۴
یادمه چندین سال پیش، سر یه کلاسی یه بحثی داشتیم مبنی بر اینکه آلزایمر یه جور مکانیسم دفاعی شخص تو سنهای بالاتره که بتونه با نبود خیلی چیزا کنارش راحت تر کنار بیاد، چون احتمالا بچه هاش تا اون سن خودشون خیلی درگیر شدند و دیگه توجه و دقت لازم نمیشه و فلان؛ ولی وقتی خودت این طرف قضیه رو تجربه میکنی خیلی هم مکانیسم دفاعی به نظر نمیرسه.
۲.۱۴۰۴
July 2, 2018
Well, this one made me cry uncontrollably, but it was totally worth it. The concept of memories and stories being shared between people, and the ache of not being able to hold on to them as they slip away… so beautifully rendered in this book, between the comfortably flowing words and the illustrations in tones of grey, highlighted with the transparent colors of the balloons. One of my favorites for 2018.
February 2, 2019
Such a gentle, loving book that explains memory loss via a simple, but vivid metaphor. My kid was concerned why the dog had only one balloon though. To think of it, I am bothered a little by this too...
April 24, 2025
وا چرا گریه کردم
May 9, 2018
This is such a beautiful book. The story is poignant yet simple. The use of balloons makes it easy for children to understand the loss of memory in an older relative. The images, with the spare use of color, really complements the story of the book. I want to look at the pictures again and again and reread the words. My 4-year-old seemed mesmerized too as I read it to him. The Remember Balloons is certainly a memorable book and one to cherish.
August 5, 2021
مدتها بود کتاب کودکی نخونده بودم که اینطوری من رو تحتتاثیر قرار بده. با چند تا بادکنک رنگی و دو تا شخصیت اصلی نوه و پدربزرگ، مفاهیم عمیقی رو پوشش داده بود، مثل خاطرات، آلزایمز و مرگ. کتاب عجیبی بود!
February 3, 2021
Be prepared to shed a few tears with this one. Jessie Oliveros, along with the illustrations of Dana Wulfekotte, weaves a beautiful tale about growing older and the impact it can have on one's family. Not to give it all away, but, if you have not figured it out, balloons represent ones memories. You can just imagine what happens as you get older.
The Remember Balloons
chronicles the relationship between James and his Grandfather. Aging is not easy on anyone, especially one's immediate family.
Read it for yourself.
Read it for yourself.
March 13, 2019
I really have enjoyed the metaphorical and colourful balloons that author Jessie Oliveros uses in her The Remember Balloons to indicate and describe memories (and how James' grandfather, not only has the largest number but also the most colourful balloons in the family and is therefore also the main teller of tales, passing his balloons, passing his memories onto others, until Grandpa starts having issues with his balloons, with his memories, and to the point that one day, he has no more balloons left in his repertoire, that basically all of Grandpa's memories have become lost).
A sad and poignant (even rather depressing) story Jessie Oliveros' The Remember Balloons has been to and for me, but with a mildly hopeful ending (namely that since young James has been one of the main recipients of and listeners to his grandfather's memories and stories, he can now and like his grandfather used to do, share and pass them on, perhaps even return them, give the balloon memories back to his grandfather, return them to their original source). And this ending (albeit it might also be a bit wishful thinking), it does indeed seem to take at least some of the potential sting and pain out of the author's narrative (out of The Remember Balloons) albeit without in any way denying or making light of the sadness and frustration that age-related dementia and syndromes such as Alzheimer disease can and do inflict and cause (also wonderfully and imaginatively aesthetically presented with and by Dana Wulfekotte's evocative and emotional accompanying illustrations, in so far that most of the pictures are black, white and grey hued, whilst the balloony memories are all bright and colourful, indicating both their significance, their importance, but also demonstrating visually how painfully sad and depressing their disappearance and loss from the grandfather's reach have been for everyone, for the entire family).
A sad and poignant (even rather depressing) story Jessie Oliveros' The Remember Balloons has been to and for me, but with a mildly hopeful ending (namely that since young James has been one of the main recipients of and listeners to his grandfather's memories and stories, he can now and like his grandfather used to do, share and pass them on, perhaps even return them, give the balloon memories back to his grandfather, return them to their original source). And this ending (albeit it might also be a bit wishful thinking), it does indeed seem to take at least some of the potential sting and pain out of the author's narrative (out of The Remember Balloons) albeit without in any way denying or making light of the sadness and frustration that age-related dementia and syndromes such as Alzheimer disease can and do inflict and cause (also wonderfully and imaginatively aesthetically presented with and by Dana Wulfekotte's evocative and emotional accompanying illustrations, in so far that most of the pictures are black, white and grey hued, whilst the balloony memories are all bright and colourful, indicating both their significance, their importance, but also demonstrating visually how painfully sad and depressing their disappearance and loss from the grandfather's reach have been for everyone, for the entire family).
November 11, 2024
Dementia is such a sad topic to bring up with kids. This book is a fantastic tool for parents to have those conversations. Highly recommend!
September 16, 2019
Well, there's a depressing picture book. Don't get me wrong: it's pretty good. It's just so sad.
Despite what the synopsis says, this isn't a book about simply getting a little forgetful as you age. Grandpa has full-blown, rip-roaring Alzheimer's, to the point where he loses all of his memories. The point at which he loses the silver balloon--representing a shared experience with his grandson--is gut-wrenching. However, there's a little bit of hope at the end, and about as much of a happy-ever-after as a story like this is going to get.
I really like the metaphor that's used here. Balloons represent memories. It's not explicitly stated, but as the boy explains that he has more than his baby brother, and his parents have more than him, and his grandfather has more than all of them combined... well, it's easy to see what the balloons represent. (It gets even easier when the boy explains what's in those balloons.) The fact that even the dog has a balloon made me smile (and wonder what that one precious memory is all about... although I'm guessing it probably has something to do with food). As Grandpa's Alzheimer's takes hold, he starts to lose his balloons. The boy tries to chase them, but because they're not his, he can't really catch them. He has to just watch them float away. Eventually, though, because Grandpa told him the stories of what was in those balloons, the boy ends up with a few new ones in his own bunch... which he can then share with his grandfather.
The illustrations are simple, but effective. Pretty much everything is black and white, except for the balloons and the scenes depicted inside them. It really helps highlight what the reader is supposed to focus on.
Overall, this is a sad book, but it's a nice metaphor about memories and it could help children who are trying to understand what's happening to a family member who might be suffering from Alzheimer's.
Quotable moment:
Despite what the synopsis says, this isn't a book about simply getting a little forgetful as you age. Grandpa has full-blown, rip-roaring Alzheimer's, to the point where he loses all of his memories. The point at which he loses the silver balloon--representing a shared experience with his grandson--is gut-wrenching. However, there's a little bit of hope at the end, and about as much of a happy-ever-after as a story like this is going to get.
I really like the metaphor that's used here. Balloons represent memories. It's not explicitly stated, but as the boy explains that he has more than his baby brother, and his parents have more than him, and his grandfather has more than all of them combined... well, it's easy to see what the balloons represent. (It gets even easier when the boy explains what's in those balloons.) The fact that even the dog has a balloon made me smile (and wonder what that one precious memory is all about... although I'm guessing it probably has something to do with food). As Grandpa's Alzheimer's takes hold, he starts to lose his balloons. The boy tries to chase them, but because they're not his, he can't really catch them. He has to just watch them float away. Eventually, though, because Grandpa told him the stories of what was in those balloons, the boy ends up with a few new ones in his own bunch... which he can then share with his grandfather.
The illustrations are simple, but effective. Pretty much everything is black and white, except for the balloons and the scenes depicted inside them. It really helps highlight what the reader is supposed to focus on.
Overall, this is a sad book, but it's a nice metaphor about memories and it could help children who are trying to understand what's happening to a family member who might be suffering from Alzheimer's.
Quotable moment:
June 9, 2018
This tender story about an aging grandparent experiencing memory loss makes a very difficult time of life comprehensible for a child. Memories, just like the balloons used to represent them, are shared and sometimes slip away. The story doesn’t skip over the frustration or anger or sadness that comes with memory loss, but lets the reader move through these emotions until finally finding the joy held in shared memories and the responsibility of transferring them to others along the way. It’s a beautiful metaphor and a vital story for children, as well as their parents, as they deal with a loved one whose memories are fading. It truly touched my heart and gave me goosebumps.
September 27, 2019
Having had to watch as my grandmother suffered through Alzheimers for years and ultimately passed away last year, this one hit me hard. I'll likely have to read it many more times myself before I can read it aloud to a group of kids. But this book is a beautiful way to represent the power of shared memories with loved ones, and what is lost as that awful disease progresses. This is a must-have in any classroom/library, especially important to be pulled out and shared when any kids are going through this with a loved one.
January 9, 2023
نویسنده سعی کرده بود به صورت نمادین، فراموشی و آلزایمر رو به بچهها توضیح بده.
سوال اینجاست که من چرا باهاش بغض کردم؟(:
سوال اینجاست که من چرا باهاش بغض کردم؟(:
January 17, 2018
Beautiful book about our memories, aging, and multigenerational relationships.
September 8, 2018
This emotional yet charming story is of a young boy and his grandfather's fading memories.
March 19, 2019
Okay, I'm bawling. What a sweet, sweet way to explain this tough issue to a child. <3
June 28, 2019
Check out more reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
Picture books are near and dear to my heart. For several years I read them with my nephew who is autistic. We don't read and draw together anymore but when the perfect picture book comes along I feel a need to revisit those times with him. He identifies with children of color and he would have adored The Remember Balloons!!
I loved right off how beautiful Dana Wulfekotte's art was and applaud the diversity found in the story. The gorgeous tonal quality to the art really set off the colored balloons perfectly. And I loved how the diversity with in James' family deepened the story adding a sense of unity to the theme of aging. It feels like a book that was written by someone who understands what a summer spent in the southern US is like. And the art brings that story full circle. Giving the story a dreamy summer feel for what is a heavy and difficult topic to explain to a child, age-related memory loss.
The Remember Balloons is a story about family, togetherness, memories and service. It's achingly beautiful how the idea of memories is explained in such simple terms. Then James shares with us why these balloons, these memories, are so important! I just loved this so much. Because I think its so important that children understand that time spent together is the best gift between two people. He shows the reader how he felt spending time with his grandpa and then sharing that memory.
But The Remember Balloons doesn't stop there! No, it goes on to empower James!! He doesn't just have to accept that Grandpa is loosing his precious memories. He doesn't have to dwell on how sad it is that Grandpa doesn't remember the times they spent together. No, he has a way to help Grandpa remember! Even if just for the moment by sharing those moments back with Grandpa he can do that service for him.
Needless to say The Remember Balloons is a TOP NOTCH picture book. It's perfect for children and adults with elderly family, neighbors or friends who are struggling with age-related memory loss like dementia or Alzheimer's Disease. It teaches them how to understand and sympathize with these struggles. It's also a lovely story for all children to teach them how to relate to others in sensitive situations. I highly recommend this gorgeous book for all readers!!
BOTTOM LINE: A Gorgeous Look at the Importance of Memories
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. Read my special perspective under the typewriter on my reviews...
Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!
January 8, 2019
Such a fabulous book!! Would be brilliant to use to explain dementia to children
May 12, 2025
چند روز پیش از نمایشگاه کتاب، غرفه نشر پرتقال خریدم، خیلی لطیف و قشنگ بود❤️🥺
October 1, 2018
Using balloons to a metaphor for memories, young James tells readers he only has a few balloons, unlike his grandpa who has more balloons than James, his little brother, and his parents put together. grandpa has lived a long full life, and James loves hearing about the memories in his balloons. For memories that they share, they each have the same color balloon, like the time they went fishing together. Then, one day, grandpa starts having a problem with his balloons. One would get stuck and he would tell the same story over and over, even though he had just finished it. Or grandpa's balloons would float away and he didn't even notice it. Eventually, grandpa has no more balloons. James is very sad to see this happen, but then his parents point out all the new balloons he has, balloons that once were his grandpa's are now his to share. Memory loss in grandparents caused by age-related dementia or Alzheimer's disease is difficult to explain to children, ever when they see it happening as James does here. I thought that using balloons to represent memories is one of the best way to explain what many grandchildren are probably witnessing in their own grandparents. Each of grandpa's memories is depicted in a different color balloon, and it's an idea kids can understand, after all, what child has witnessed balloons floating away. This is a poignant story, sensitively told, and with a hopeful ending as James becomes the bearer of his grandpa's memories to share with his family.
March 6, 2019
This is a tender, sweet story about a young biracial child who tries to help his Grandpa remember important events in his life with imaginary balloons. Although not specified, the grandfather is probably suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The illustrations in pencil, colored pencil, ink and gouache are interesting--most of the illustrations are black, white and grey, except for the brightly colored balloons that hold those important memories.
October 3, 2018
I had no idea what to expect when I started to read this book. It quickly becomes clear what the "Remember Balloons" are and what they represent.
This is a beautiful book. With some picture books, you can feel the lightheartedness. With this book, there is a pervasive pulling at the heart.
Beautifully handled book about memory.
This is a beautiful book. With some picture books, you can feel the lightheartedness. With this book, there is a pervasive pulling at the heart.
Beautifully handled book about memory.
August 19, 2019
I wouldn't normally put this book on my read shelf. But this story touched me on a level I couldn't ever imagine. This book was so beautiful and explained Alzheimer and Dementia in a way that was just amazing. Thank you Jessie Oliveros for writing this amazing book. If you ever run into this situation with a loved on and you need to explain it to a child I would 100% recommend this book.
February 28, 2023
James has a lot of balloons filled with memories but his grandpa has even more. But his grandpa's balloons begin to drift away until they are all gone. How will James deal with the loss of all his grandpa's memories?
A deeply poignant story of family love, memories, and sharing with others.
A deeply poignant story of family love, memories, and sharing with others.
February 9, 2019
Beautifully done.
October 29, 2018
Jessie Oliveros does a terrific job of telling about Alzheimer's Disease in an easy-to-understand way for young readers. She uses the analogy of balloons as memories and at first the boy telling the story shares he has way more "balloons" than his little brother. His favorite is the one filled with his last birthday party. His mom and dad have more than he does, but his grandpa has more than all of them together, with marvelous stories. As the story moves along, Grandpa sometimes tells about one balloon twice, and then he begins to forget those stories. They simply float away. The boy is shattered, but his parents help him realize that now Grandpa's balloons belong to him that he can share. Dana Wulfekotte illustrates the story with a limited palette except for those beautiful memory balloons.
July 25, 2019
Children’s books oftentimes have the most hard hitting stories. The Remember Balloons is no exception. James and his grandpa’s story is beautiful and sad at the same time.
I love this story because it encourages the reader to think about their personal experiences while reading the story of someone else. It also teaches the reader empathy and brings up the conversation of dementia/Alzheimer’s/how old age affects different people.
Dana Wulfekotte’s illustrations are the perfect pairing for Jessie Oliveros’s story. I’m really glad this book was introduced to me and that I bought myself a copy. I’ll be using it to prompt writing in my high school classroom. <3
I love this story because it encourages the reader to think about their personal experiences while reading the story of someone else. It also teaches the reader empathy and brings up the conversation of dementia/Alzheimer’s/how old age affects different people.
Dana Wulfekotte’s illustrations are the perfect pairing for Jessie Oliveros’s story. I’m really glad this book was introduced to me and that I bought myself a copy. I’ll be using it to prompt writing in my high school classroom. <3
August 3, 2022
Picture books can be fun and entertaining, but they can also be profound and deeply moving. Such is the case with this beautiful book. Dementia and Alzheimer's can be hard to explain to children when they experience it with a loved one. This book doesn't sugarcoat the pain and challenges of memory loss, but it tenderly explains it in an easy to understand way, brilliantly using balloons as a metaphor of what happens to the memories of loved ones affected by dementia. Together, the text and illustrations make for a beautiful and tender story--one that deeply touched me. Picture books aren't just for children.
December 5, 2018
This really is an exquisite book, so tender, so heart-wrenching and so very sad. It covers the difficult topics of older generations losing their memories and how children deal with this. In this case through all having their own memory filled balloons, the older you are the more balloon memories you've accumulated and what happens as you start to forget your memories and lose your balloons. A difficult read but highly recommended picture book.
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