Come Back, Ben

Starred review from July 15, 2013
This excellent early reader will send new readers' confidence soaring. "Ben had a balloon," begins the spare text, accompanied by a picture rendered in cut paper and ink showing Ben holding a red balloon aloft. The next spread shows only the lower portion of Ben's body at the top of the page as his sister, standing on the ground below him, says, "Bye, Ben." Ensuing pages show Ben soaring higher and higher up into the sky as first a window, then bees, a tree, a kite, a big hill, rain and a rainbow all call out, "Come back, Ben." The repetitive text will reinforce new readers' engagement, while Ben's consistent smile (a simple, small u shape) provides reassurance that he is untroubled by his ascent into the sky--even when he reaches a smiling moon who says, "Hi, Ben." Ben collects moon rocks in his pockets, and their weight triggers his descent back to Earth, past all of the things that called to him as he rose up to the heavens. When he returns to his home, art on the penultimate spread shows Ben waving from his window, "Bye, balloon," he calls, but the balloon is absent from the page. A supremely satisfying page-turn shows Ben's sister sailing upward while holding onto the balloon's string. "Bye, Ben," she calls. Hello, Ben! We're glad you're here. (Early reader. 4-6)

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August 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-This terrific beginning reader is imaginative, funny, and charming. The text is predictable and accessible, and the cut-paper and ink art matches it perfectly. Happy-go-lucky Ben has a balloon that lifts him up and off the page. With a smile on her face, Ben's sister says, "Bye, Ben" as if it is the most ordinary, everyday occurrence to see your brother carried away. As Ben begins his ascent, the window bids him "Come back, Ben," as do the bees, the trees, the kite, the hill, and many more "friends." There is no alarm in the request; they just want their boy back. When the child reaches the Moon, he cleverly arranges his descent and down he comes, past all of the friends who await his return. It is when Ben and balloon return home that the real surprise comes and it will absolutely tickle young readers. Children will want to read this one again and again. A must-have for both classrooms and libraries.-Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA

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