The Great Balloon Hullaballoo
Age 5+
Picture Books
When Simon the squirrel’s mum sends him off to the shop, Simon decides to fly to the moon in Old Uncle Somerset’s hot air balloon in search of cheese. Shopping in outer space is very exciting, but proves to be a bit of a distraction . . .
'One of the best books of the year' - Helen Brown, Daily Telegraph
'Funny and fresh' - Anna Carey, Irish Times
Creators
Since graduating from Kingston College of Art in 2004 Mei Matsuoka has been much in demand as an illustrator. Her illustrations for a short story won first prize in a UNESCO sponsored competition, which she travelled to Japan to collect in 2005. Mei was on the final longlist of candidates nominated as Best New Illustrators, and is one of the UK's most exciting newcomers to children's books.
Peter Bently was born in Tidworth and attended Balliol College, Oxford, where he studied for a BA Hons in Modern Languages. He has two young children and now lives in Devon. He has also written several other award-winning picture books, including A Lark in the Ark (Egmont), Shark in the Dark (Macmillan) and Cats Ahoy!, which won the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
Reviews
One of the best books of the year
Daily Telegraph
A rollickingly good story
Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading Books of the Year 2013
Matsuoka’s illustrations are funny and fresh
Irish Times
An entertaining romp through the galaxy, this offbeat, funny and unexpected picture book will delight young readers
Booktrust, 'Books We Like'
Beautiful and fun illustrations
Nottingham Post
The ideal bedtime read
Dorset Echo
Matsuoka’s high-spirited mixed-media art is in step with the batty humour of Bently’s couplets. Good flighty fun.
Publishers Weekly
Great stuff!
The School Librarian
This wonderful rhyming text is illustrated in vibrantly imaginative pictures
Good Book Guide
Good dose of humour and some beautiful and fun illustrations.
Hull Daily Mail
A pleasure to read, it flows beautifully and is very inventive
Juniper's Jungle Blog
The Roald Dahl Funny Prize winner is hot property with a very busy year.
The Bookseller
