What do you think?
Rate this book
The Balloon Tree
While her father the king visits another country, Princess Leora becomes vulnerable to her throne-hungry uncle, who attempts to destroy the princess's magic signal balloons that are protecting her from harm.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1984
About the author
Phoebe Gilman
27 books51 followersWhat can I tell you about myself? I like to make up stories and draw pictures. I like to go ice skating, to the movies and I love reading books.
I was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York. My Mother loved to read so it was only natural that my brothers and I got our own library cards as soon as we were able to print our names. My favorite books were fairy tales. When the pictures didn't match the images that the words had painted in my head, I would cover them up with my hands. I still do that.
I prefer the words to the pictures, which is a little odd since I think of myself as an artist rather than a writer. All of my formal training has been in art. I went to The High School of Art and Design. From there, it was a short skip and a jump over to The Art Student's League, after a brief detour to Hunter College. I spent fifteen years at the Ontario College of Art, teaching others how to draw and paint. It still surprises me to be called a writer.
As soon as I was able, I started to travel. I like meeting new faces and going to new places. One of the nice things about being an artist is that it is a very portable profession. I have lived for extended periods of time in both Europe and Israel.
Shortly after coming to Canada in 1972, I met and married Brian Bender. We have three children, Ingrid, Jason and Melissa, two granddaughters, Ariana and Emily and a cat, Minoo.
It was because of my daughter, Ingrid, that I became an author. When her balloon burst on a tree branch, I wished the tree would magically sprout balloons. It didn't...what sprouted was an idea in my head. Why not write a story about a tree that blossoms balloons? And that's how I came to write my first book, The Balloon Tree.
It is not how I came to be published. That took fifteen years and umpty zillion rejection slips to accomplish.
My advice to any aspiring author is:
•Get a balloon and let it go.
•Read. Read. READ!
•Write. Write. WRITE! (To do anything well takes practice.)
•Don't give up. Keep on trying.
•Don't be afraid of criticism. Learn from it.
From the author's website
I was born and grew up in the Bronx, New York. My Mother loved to read so it was only natural that my brothers and I got our own library cards as soon as we were able to print our names. My favorite books were fairy tales. When the pictures didn't match the images that the words had painted in my head, I would cover them up with my hands. I still do that.
I prefer the words to the pictures, which is a little odd since I think of myself as an artist rather than a writer. All of my formal training has been in art. I went to The High School of Art and Design. From there, it was a short skip and a jump over to The Art Student's League, after a brief detour to Hunter College. I spent fifteen years at the Ontario College of Art, teaching others how to draw and paint. It still surprises me to be called a writer.
As soon as I was able, I started to travel. I like meeting new faces and going to new places. One of the nice things about being an artist is that it is a very portable profession. I have lived for extended periods of time in both Europe and Israel.
Shortly after coming to Canada in 1972, I met and married Brian Bender. We have three children, Ingrid, Jason and Melissa, two granddaughters, Ariana and Emily and a cat, Minoo.
It was because of my daughter, Ingrid, that I became an author. When her balloon burst on a tree branch, I wished the tree would magically sprout balloons. It didn't...what sprouted was an idea in my head. Why not write a story about a tree that blossoms balloons? And that's how I came to write my first book, The Balloon Tree.
It is not how I came to be published. That took fifteen years and umpty zillion rejection slips to accomplish.
My advice to any aspiring author is:
•Get a balloon and let it go.
•Read. Read. READ!
•Write. Write. WRITE! (To do anything well takes practice.)
•Don't give up. Keep on trying.
•Don't be afraid of criticism. Learn from it.
From the author's website
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
October 24, 2012
I remember this book! In fact I remember that I adored this book, but in the years between I had forgotten it completely until a chance mention reminded me again. Since I work in a library I ran to the shelves, grabbed it and read it again.
This book is charming and whimsical and I would read it to every child, but especially a girl child because it doesn't talk about being pretty or wearing pink or etc. Leona just is a child and she goes out and fixes a mess that a grown adult made to make her home better. I still love this book and I love the illustrations and I'm going to buy one to read to my nephews.
P.S. The illustrations are really great, they harken back to medieval and Renaissance paintings and manuscripts. Just lovely and rich in colour and detail.
This book is charming and whimsical and I would read it to every child, but especially a girl child because it doesn't talk about being pretty or wearing pink or etc. Leona just is a child and she goes out and fixes a mess that a grown adult made to make her home better. I still love this book and I love the illustrations and I'm going to buy one to read to my nephews.
P.S. The illustrations are really great, they harken back to medieval and Renaissance paintings and manuscripts. Just lovely and rich in colour and detail.
January 9, 2018
I have fond memories of this book from when I was a kid and it totally holds up today. Imaginative and funny and great illustrations.
February 20, 2018
I grew up reading this magical book, and decided to pick it up again.
So delightful! I love the creativity and the vibrancy. Can just imagine it as a Disney movie. Hehe.
So delightful! I love the creativity and the vibrancy. Can just imagine it as a Disney movie. Hehe.
March 24, 2017
"L'Arbre Aux Ballons" seemed sweet to have in French. I did not know Phoebe Gilman is Canadian by choice, artist of her books, and that "The Balloon Tree", 1984, is beloved in English. Children's books aren't churned out! Phoebe's success story was about labouring over her tale and vibrantly-expressive, detailed, unique, colour-enriched drawings for 15 years! Her eldest child, Ingrid, lamented her balloon popping on a branch. She was inspired to write after wishing trees could yield new balloons. She got other books published but forged through that long wait, to bring us her first one.
Realism matters less than the bravery, heart, intelligence, creativity, and loyalty that play out. Her village loves balloons but Leora is entrusted to an uncle who does not. Her Father was on an out-of-town trip. I could critique that it was brief but taking action was pivotal. The unsavoury uncle ordered soldiers to clear out balloons. Floating balloons was the way she was told to signal for help from her Father. She certainly could have played in her gorgeous room and castle and waited him out. Her determination to ask a wizard for a solution via spell is the magical, original trait of Phoebe's story for her children.
Her refusal to shrink from aggressors or wrongdoing is inspiring. I love her schlep through her village seeking spare balloons. Perhaps because my copy and first reading are not in my own language, the art is my favourite element. Leora queries a broad variety of people and impressive abundance of stores, with pets peeking along the way. I appreciated everything better by reading about Phoebe first and will definitely collect her oeuvres. I am sorry she died at 62 in 2002 and am very glad to acquaint her. Her write-up clearly identifies a loveable, warm person.
Realism matters less than the bravery, heart, intelligence, creativity, and loyalty that play out. Her village loves balloons but Leora is entrusted to an uncle who does not. Her Father was on an out-of-town trip. I could critique that it was brief but taking action was pivotal. The unsavoury uncle ordered soldiers to clear out balloons. Floating balloons was the way she was told to signal for help from her Father. She certainly could have played in her gorgeous room and castle and waited him out. Her determination to ask a wizard for a solution via spell is the magical, original trait of Phoebe's story for her children.
Her refusal to shrink from aggressors or wrongdoing is inspiring. I love her schlep through her village seeking spare balloons. Perhaps because my copy and first reading are not in my own language, the art is my favourite element. Leora queries a broad variety of people and impressive abundance of stores, with pets peeking along the way. I appreciated everything better by reading about Phoebe first and will definitely collect her oeuvres. I am sorry she died at 62 in 2002 and am very glad to acquaint her. Her write-up clearly identifies a loveable, warm person.
November 9, 2015
A friend gifted me this book as it was one of her childhood favourites - and I can see why. Beautifully illustrated, cute and with a quirky story featuring a capable young princess who saves not just the day, but the kingdom! This would have been right up my alley when I was a kid as well - and, to be quite honest, it still is.
May 27, 2007
"Moon balloon, moon balloon, tickle the tree.
Four balloons, more balloons, blossom for me."
Little girls especially love the adventure of Princess Liora and her little dog. The illustrations are beautiful, and it is one of the many legacies that Phoebe Gilman has left behind.
Four balloons, more balloons, blossom for me."
Little girls especially love the adventure of Princess Liora and her little dog. The illustrations are beautiful, and it is one of the many legacies that Phoebe Gilman has left behind.
September 17, 2015
So much childhood nostalgia for this book. I won it in second grade as a book award for my class. The illustrations are so beautiful, and the story is pure magic.
September 4, 2018
So many years of love I have had for this book and it is still a wonderful read.
January 20, 2019
I love the medieval vibe of the art in this one.
July 29, 2019
One of my favourite books by Phoebe Gilman! Very creative!
January 22, 2016
This book is one of my favorites when I was a kid. Even if I didn't have that book in my shelf at home. (I had other books by Ms. Gilman back then) It's always nice to go back and read what you have enjoyed. In a world where it's not common to see a princess save her kingdom, it's even rarer to do it without picking up a sword and shield. Which makes it even more of a treasure to me, for this is a rare find.
December 6, 2011
This was one of my favourtie books as a kid. I would ask my mom to read it to me again and again. There are wonderful illustrations and a truly magical story.
Read it to your kids! They will love it!
Read it to your kids! They will love it!
June 9, 2013
This was always my favourite book growing up. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is perfect, and I don't say that lightly. It was a wonderful, unique, different fairytale. I still love it.
September 4, 2013
This book was nice because it's an actual fairytale, instead of a spin-off fairytale or a fairytale with a twist that makes it funny, or ironic, or modern. It's nice to find a book that is just a fairytale. The girls loved it. The illustrations are beautiful.
December 10, 2015
A "new" take on the trite theme of 'princess saved by knight in shining armour", in this case the princess and 'knight' are both children.
Additionally, you should NEVER release balloons into the air. They destroy habitat and kill wildlife.
Additionally, you should NEVER release balloons into the air. They destroy habitat and kill wildlife.
September 27, 2007
I must have read this book 50 times when I was little. I loved just pouring over the beautiful pictures, imagining myself the Princess...
January 20, 2008
I loved this book at school and have been looking everywhere to buy a copy. Illustrations are beautiful.
December 23, 2015
One of my favourite childhood stories. Ever since I read this book, i have been so fascinated with secret passageways
April 9, 2013
A simple tale, that sounds a little familiar with the exception of the balloons. Beautiful, colourful illustrations make the story stand out.
October 29, 2014
This is one of my favourite childhood story books. The story is lovely and the illustrations are fabulous.
August 16, 2018
Of all the books I read as a (smaller) child, this one particularly stuck out in my mind. When I was cleaning out my bookshelf of such books meant for smaller children, I reread a small pile that I had set aside and decided what I would do with them. The Balloon Tree was the only one that was in that small pile and I decided to keep.
The book itself is very imaginative. I really like the idea of Leora having a wizard friend accessible by swirling staircase behind a curtain in her bedroom.
The book itself is very imaginative. I really like the idea of Leora having a wizard friend accessible by swirling staircase behind a curtain in her bedroom.
October 14, 2017
4-6; modern fantasy; The moral of the story is a huge awakening for parents in the aspect of teaching their kids what to do in dangerous scenarios (kidnapped). Now not necessarily from the way it happened in the book, but the valuable lesson is there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2022
This is my favourite kids book of all time. The illustrations are amazing. My parents showed it to me when I was 5, I’m 22 now and am still in love with it. Will definitely be passing it on to my kids in the future.
Read
February 8, 2021Without a doubt one of the best books I've ever seen.
February 23, 2021
I found and read this book again recently and count it among my favourites. The story and the imagery still inspire me to this day.
May 13, 2021
One of my absolute favourite bed time stories when I was little
Read
February 8, 2022Interesting book for children
November 29, 2023
Read this with my 5-year-old and she loved it! Definitely a cute little fairy tale for the regular bedtime rotation!
July 23, 2024
3.25/5
August 24, 2024
A favourite of mine from when I was a little girl <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews