Informational Books: Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet

Sweet, Melissa. 2011.  Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. New York: Houghton Mifflin Book for Children. ISBN 9780329926298

Summary

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade is an eye-catching, enjoyable story of the life of Tony Sarg. Author and Illustrator, Melissa Sweet, takes us on the journey of Sarg’s love of making things move, from pulleys in his bedroom for feeding the chickens, to whimsical marionettes, to the brilliant marionette-like balloons that are feature each year at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Sarg’s talent is brought to life through Sweet’s enchanting illustrations and storytelling.

Analysis

Balloons Over Broadway is an informational text written as a picture book biography. The sequence of events is logical, as Sweet shares Tony Sarg’s life as a puppeteer from childhood to adulthood.  The main focus of the story is his work with Macy’s Department Store. This includes his designs in their window displays, the first set of large balloons for the parade, and the improved marionette-like balloons that are still used today.

These events are spelled out in Sweet’s superb writing, which thoroughly explains Sarg’s ideas in a young reader-friendly format. Key vocabulary is defined in context. Typical features of nonfiction, such as subheadings and indexes, are not included due to the literary nonfiction format of the story. Important information about his life as a puppeteer is conveyed well and does not overwhelm the reader.

Balloons Over Broadway is eye-catching from the start. Sweet’s mixed media illustrations include watercolor pictures and collages made from papier-mâché, found objects, and fabrics. Some of Sarg’s illustrations from his work, The Tony Sarg Marionette Book, are included as primary sources, as well as advertisements and articles from the New York Times.  In an author’s note following the story, Sweet explains her illustrations were created to give the reader the feel of what life was like in Sarg’s world. Sweet hit the nail on the head with her attempt to illustrate his philosophy that “play [is] the most important element in making art” (Sweet 2011).

The combination of Sarg-inspired illustrations and bibliographic information shows Sweet’s passion for this particular topic. More information about Tony Sarg is included in her author’s note. A Thank You page credits those who helped in assembling the facts for the book. Eighteen sources are included in her bibliography, as well as four different quote sources. Photos hail from the Nantucket Historical Association, and original advertisements in the New York Times were provided by Macy’s Inc.

Personal Response

I found each page of this text fascinating. I learned much about Tony Sarg and how the Macy’s Parade originated. Having had the opportunity to participate in the parade, I found this text especially interesting. I would highly recommend this book for nonfiction lessons.

Awards and Reviews

A 2012 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Winner
A 2012 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner

A 2012 Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner

“What [Sweet] has done is make a joyous piece of nonfiction that informs and delights in equal parts.” -Ilene Cooper, Booklist

“This clever marriage of information and illustration soars high.”- Kirkus Reviews

“The rush that comes from inspiration, the cliffhanger moments of creation, the sheer joy of building something and watching it delight the multitudes-Sweet captures it all in what is truly a story for all ages.” –Publisher’s Weekly

Connections

Further research and entertainment regarding the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade can be conducted using the following books:

Corey, Shana. 2002. Milly and the Macy’s Parade. Ill. by Brett Helquist. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 9780439297554

Grippo, Robert M. and Christopher Hoskins.  2004. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9780738535623

Pease, Pamela. 2002. Macy’s on Parade: A Pop-Up Celebration of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Chapel Hill, NC: Paintbox Press. ISBN 9780966943320