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The Great Balloon Hullaballoo
Another irresistable romp from the creators of The Great Dog Bottom Swap , which was shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize.
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.
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.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2013
About the author
Peter Bently
146 books40 followersPeter Bently is married with two children, and lives in south England. He studied languages at Oxford University and has written over 40 titles, one of which led to him being awarded the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 2, 2024
A boy is sent out to get the groceries, particularly cheese so his mother can make pizza. But he isn't sure where to get the cheese, so he takes a hot air balloon to the moon. Unfortunately, he is blown off course and ends up traveling the entire solar system in a wild adventure.
The imagination and silliness in this book are unparalleled. I enjoyed the characters and the absurdity, and the ending was satisfying and fun. The illustrations were adequate. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a lighthearted adventure that you shouldn't think too hard about.
The imagination and silliness in this book are unparalleled. I enjoyed the characters and the absurdity, and the ending was satisfying and fun. The illustrations were adequate. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a lighthearted adventure that you shouldn't think too hard about.
July 6, 2017
A lovely story which is told in rhyme, it makes it flow wonderfully. I do like the story & the links to the cow! One which I could read over and over.
August 19, 2017
Loved the randomness of the story but not so much the artwork or style of rhyme.
December 12, 2017
This book is silly, creative, and chaotic, just like kids! I love the poetry and the adventure in this book. I might use it to help motivate kids to write their own silly adventure stories.
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September 22, 2019A squirrel is sent off to go shopping. But instead of going to the shop, the squirrel takes a hot air balloon to the moon.
November 3, 2019
I love Mei Matsuoka's art style and this quirky story.
January 14, 2020
Read this to my class of 4 and 5 year olds as our topic is space. They loved it and found it hilarious!
January 2, 2017
I quite liked the idea behind the story and it was original but I still found it a little dull compared to other children's stories. I was also disappointed in the ending. I would say suitable for 5-6 yr olds. Some of the language in it is too old for really young kids but my 7 yr old found it boring.
July 11, 2014
A humorous adventure story told in rhyme. Full of bright, colorful illustrations of cute cartoonish animal creatures. A young squirrel is given a grocery list from his mom. He proceeds to go on an intergallactic shopping run with his friends in his Old Uncle Somerset's balloon. The rhymes weren't labored at all, which is a plus. For me, the best parts of the book were the humor and the intricate illustrations. I could see myself reading this one in storytime. The only thing minor quibble I had was with the text--sometimes it felt like I should read across the pages, when really I was supposed to read down the page (if that makes sense).
October 12, 2014
I loved this story! The illustrations are fantastic and includes a few funny jokes. It tells the story of a squirrel who gets sent out by his mother to get some items from a shopping list and ends up having an adventure around space after attempting to get the cheese from the moon. It's a fantastic idea and when the characters are up in space they bump into the cow that jumped over the moon that gives them directions. This is a good bedtime story and doesn't take too long to read. This story would be a good story to read alongside learning about space and lets children learn a little bit about space and enjoy a nice story too. This book is suitable for children up to about age 7.
August 19, 2014
Yikes. It looks cute enough, AND is loaded with potty humor and butt jokes. I am not sure what reader this book has in mind, but it's a jarring clash of sweet, funny illustrations with singsong rhyming text concerning underpants, toilet paper, and the like, and includes a few Britishisms. I felt like two books were trapped inside this one, struggling to emerge victorious. Unfortunately, I fear the audience is the loser in that battle.
October 23, 2015
Not a bad book and something to consider having in a classroom library for younger students. However, I would not use this for a read aloud. The illustrations are fun and eye catching and I think will keep preschooler's interested in the story as it is read. I believe this book was picked up by my three year old at the library based on the cover.
August 14, 2017
"Imagine the look of surprise on Mum's face, when Simon declared 'I've been shopping in space'"
Utterly lovely, funny and well written with lovely illustrations.
When Simon the squirrel and his friends decide to fly to the moon, in search of cheese, a comet steers them off their course and what lays is an exciting journey in space, on the various planets.
Utterly lovely, funny and well written with lovely illustrations.
When Simon the squirrel and his friends decide to fly to the moon, in search of cheese, a comet steers them off their course and what lays is an exciting journey in space, on the various planets.
October 13, 2016
I borrowed this book from the library to read with my 4 year old son and it was a great story filled with adventure and humor. It's about a squirrel whose mother sends him off on some errands and the trip turns into quite the adventure.
I loved the illustrations and the fact the story was told in rhymes.
I loved the illustrations and the fact the story was told in rhymes.
February 11, 2014
I really do enjoy the quirky, clever wit of Peter Bently. His teaming with illustrator Mei Matsuoka never disappoints. Their latest picture is a real tongue in cheek exploration of space, friendship, adventure and childhood distraction. Super fun pictures. Fast-pasted, rib tickling verse.
May 30, 2014
The cover is inviting, the illustrations are cute, and I appreciate the silliness and quirkiness of the story. The rhyme and rhythm make it easy to read aloud. Something just didn't quite come together for my preschooler and me.
March 9, 2014
An errand to buy cheese turns into quite a wild adventure.
May 4, 2014
Reminds me of a bedtime story a well meaning visiting relative would tell. Not a bad story, but a little odd, a little rambling.
May 7, 2014
A honey-do list sends a squirrel off on a space adventure in a hot air balloon reaching for the moon made of cheese. Mixed media artwork.
Silly in a crowd-pleasing way. PreK-2.
Silly in a crowd-pleasing way. PreK-2.
September 12, 2016
Didn't really like this one. The story wasn't very strong.
February 9, 2016
it was a great ryhme and super cute but full of imagination. my child would probably ask me if they were joking because she is very logical.
February 11, 2016
cute, rhyming story
March 4, 2016
Beautiful illustrations, lots of fun, and the current star of my son's bedtime reads.
January 18, 2020
What a fun and exciting little book. It's filled with adventure and imagination, fun art, and very simple story. One of the better children's stories I've read.
August 10, 2016
Rhyming. THe animals take a balloon to get to the moon to get cheese.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews