Horn Book Review
A wordless picture-book ode to black-and-white silent film comedies (as well as to The Red Balloon) stars a boy named Spencer and his balloon puppy. Spencer loves his new pet and takes it with him everywhere he goes. Readers witness Spencer caring for his balloon dog in a typical new-pet montage of images including bath time, storytime, and snuggling. Trips around town offer moments of heightened drama, including close encounters with porcupine quills, a dogs teeth, a piata bat, and an eagles talons. One double-page spread alone features six potentially fatal near-poking experiences. Luckily, thanks to Spencers overly cautious nature, his pet balloon survives unscathed. A superbly executed twist ending truly makes the books conclusion pop. Simas digitally rendered illustrations capture the feel of nickelodeon cinema, right down to the vertical scratches, muddied grays, grainy texture, and title cards. The only colors present are the subtle pink shading on Spencers face and the reddish-pink balloon dog. Occasional tension-heightening close-ups and iris-shot effects all help approximate the silent cinema feel. Reel countdown endpapers and end title credits help complete this handsome package. eric carpenter September/October 2019 p.71(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A boy is devoted to his new pet in this wordless adventure.From the beginning there is something a bit mysterious and intriguing about this book. Endpapers mimic old-time movie countdowns"3-2-1"as if it were a show, and the story itself is divided by black title cards. Viewers are introduced to a child with a small, red balloon dog on a string, possibly made by a clown seen peeking from a tent. Spencer feeds it, reads to it, bathes it, sleeps with it, and takes it to the vet. During a walk in the park a gust of wind tugs the leash from Spencer's hand. An exhausting chase ensues, involving a carousel, an encounter with a sharp-toothed bulldog, and more before landing them both in the middle of a birthday party where there are many more balloon animals. A game of Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Donkey leads to disasterand an amazing, incredible surprise. As befitting the vintage-movie conceit, there are close-ups, wide-angles, and multiple vignettes of the breathless, careening chase across the pages. The illustrations are in shades of black, white, and gray with only the red dog providing a splash of color. Spencer presents white, but there is diversity in the depictions of the additional characters. Young readers will be tickled and amazed and will want to view it again and again.Original and thoroughly delightful. (Picture book. 4-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
