Chris Roshka was commissioned to write this book by a Children’s Hospice who was looking for literature that would ease the pain that death brings with it. It is hard to see someone die when they are old but it is even harder to see someone die when they are young. Research has been facilitated regarding the concept of death and the psychological effects it has on young children. In every culture it has been noted that children generally draw a purple or blue balloon when they are asked how they feel about dying. Psychologists see this as a child’s way of expressing the fact that they are “letting go” but part of them still remains in this world.

Evaluation

I was surprised that a book such as this one could be written so simply for a child in the elementary level. The idea that death could be compared to a balloon was unbelievably gentle. The illustrations were extremely well done. I loved how Roshka used bright colors to represent the support systems that would make “letting go” easier for the child. The pages were filled with a closeness between the balloons that represented family and friends as well as an angel-like appearance of the purple balloon who would eventually leave his friends and family behind. This book emphasized the importance of a close network of family, friends, doctors and nurses who would protect each other and keep the child safe in times of need. This book would only be appropriate if you had a child in your classroom that had an illness or perhaps had a sibling who had a life-threatening illness. It would also be an excellent book for a child life specialist to read to a child to reassure them that death is a process that requires the love and support of all your family members and friends.

Chris Rashka Author
Chris Rashka Illustrator
Shwartz and Wade Books Publisher
2007 Year