2011
WISE Score
Amazon
A visually stunning DIY masterclass disguised as a history book about how the Macy’s balloons actually got off the ground.
4.8
4.8View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This is exactly what we want in a kids' book. It’s smart, it’s gorgeous, and it treats kids like they have brains.
It turns a massive commercial event into a story about immigrant success and creative grit. It’s the opposite of brain rot—it’s a brain spark that will likely result in your kid raiding the recycling bin to build their own 'inverted marionette.' Buy it, read it, then go buy more Scotch tape.
Perfect for the 4–9 crowd. Toddlers will dig the bright colors and big balloons; elementary kids will actually appreciate the engineering 'aha!' moments.
It’s a beautiful tribute to immigrant ingenuity, persistence, and the simple joy of entertaining others. There is zero snark or cynicism here—just a guy who loved puppets and wanted to make people smile.
The book itself is an art project. Melissa Sweet uses collage, watercolor, and literal 'found objects' to mirror the way Tony Sarg invented things. It practically begs kids to go find some cardboard and string and build something.
Completely safe. No scary themes, no violence, no 'surprise' adult content. It's a pure, educational biography.
It hits the STEM sweet spot by showing the 'how' behind the balloons—turning puppets upside down and filling them with air. It’s history, art, and engineering wrapped in a story that doesn't feel like a lecture.
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