The Day Ray Got Away
PreS-K–Sure, humans love balloon parades, but what about the balloons themselves? Do they ever tire of being inflated and marched down the streets? Apparently, some do. In this lighthearted story, the fateful morning begins when Ray wakes up with a smile (he always does) and announces to his fellow balloons, "Today is the day." The parade begins the same as usual, until Ray makes his break and havoc ensues. Cheerful acrylic cartoon illustrations elevate the understated story, adding foreshadowing, drama, and much humor. The balloons stay obediently within the page frames until Ray makes his big escape. At that point, all the balloons break through the borders, although only Ray is independently airborne. Readers see bits of him, but his identity is not fully revealed until midway through the book, when his smiling face hovers over the silhouettes of panicked parade viewers on an apartment roof. The text employs internal rhyme and a healthy dose of puns, resisting the temptation of an overt rhyme scheme. This is a solid choice for sharing with children, especially those who love balloon parades and those rebellious spirits who long to break free.Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR© Copyright 2010.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.