The Purple Balloon
A picture book conceived for terminally ill children, their families, and friends offers gentle and affirming acknowledgment of difficult feelings while recognizing the importance of relationships in the life of a child who is dying. Time with a child “listening or talking, sitting or holding, being noisy or being quiet. . . makes dying less hard” and “living easier.” Author/artist Chris Raschka’s spare narrative is gracefully illustrated in prints colored with watercolors. His images depict balloons rather than people, personified with faces that convey a range of emotions. A note from the founding director of Children’s Hospice International notes that the balloon imagery was inspired by the pictures created by terminally ill children across many cultures, who often draw a blue or purple balloon floating free as a way to depict their feelings about dying. An endnote offers simple advice for children who have a terminally ill friend. ©2007 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Chris Raschka
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 5 and older
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Death and Dying
Families
Feelings/Emotions
Grief and Loss
Illness and Disease
Publisher:
Schwartz & Wade
Publish Year: 2007
Pages: 24
ISBN: 0375841466
CCBC Location: Picture Book, Raschka