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THE BIG WET BALLOON by Liniers Kirkus Star

THE BIG WET BALLOON

by Liniers ; illustrated by Liniers

Pub Date: Sept. 10th, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-935179-32-0
Publisher: TOON/Candlewick

There are so many things to do when it rains!

Hooray! It’s Saturday. But wait—it’s raining. What are two sisters to do? Older sibling Matilda is absolutely full of ideas and ready to lead younger Clemmie on a grand adventure. What will they do first? It all begins with rain boots and entails a very special red balloon, a wink to the classic book and film. Celebrated Argentine cartoonist Liniers offers a warm visual welcome to early readers in this graphic novel; lively watercolors in comic format provide plenty of memorable images and details to examine and savor. The gentle humor and mild suspense will quickly draw readers in, while brief sentences and appropriately challenging vocabulary, flawlessly interwoven with pictures that provide visual cues, leave room for readers to decipher, consider and comprehend. Natural repetition allows for practice. Overall, this satisfying tale captures the camaraderie of two sisters and shows how the oldest doesn’t always have the answers. Now, what will the girls do on Sunday? Achoo! Uh-oh….

An excellent example of how well comics can work for early readers, this warm and accessible story is sure to be a favorite.

(Early reader. 4-7)