My Yellow Balloon is about Joey and his yellow balloon and the loss of the balloon he became attached to. This is the second book I’ve read recently about loss and grief. Luckily, the story is just as good as the illustrations. They are beautiful! Before I can talk about anything else, I definitely have to address how impressed I was by them. Kellee’s Review: This book’s illustrations blew my mind. Learn more about Tiffany at her Facebook page or Linkedin. Tiffany Papageorge has crafted a poignant tale of love, loss, and letting go that will serve as a comforting guide to children who are navigating the complicated emotions of grief. What will Joey do without his special friend?

Joey and his beloved balloon do everything together, until the balloon accidentally slips off Joey’s wrist and flies far, far away. Publisher’s Summary: It all started at the carnival…That’s where Joey makes a new friend: a bright yellow balloon. The simplicity of Joey’s loss allows him to be relatable to any child who is experiencing similar emotions, including those hurting over the loss of friends due to a move, those angry over a shift in family dynamics after divorce, or those feeling sadness for the loss of a beloved toy.Published October 1st, 2014 by Minoan Moon Publishing However, the story provides a framework for a discussion on the serious emotions of grief a child might be feeling over any number of things, and can help him or her feel validated.

Adults will likely find Joey’s long-term devastation over a latex balloon–which in the real world would have deflated long before he lost it– illogical and bizarre, and certainly a poor comparison to the permanent loss of a loved one. Papageorge chooses to do this by not including a death in her story, but rather having Joey experience the stages of grief over the loss of his balloon. It’s a difficult task to delve into the topic of loss in a picture book without making it too heavy for children. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Erwin Madrid, the book discusses the stages of grief a child might feel at a loss– including anger, confusion, and deep sadness.

Joey loves his yellow balloon and takes it with him everywhere, until one day it floats away into the sky and is lost forever. Tiffany Papageorge’s My Yellow Balloon tells the story of a boy named Joey and the balloon he brings home from a carnival.

My Yellow Balloon by Tiffany Papageorge