Customer Reviews

Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride (Caldecott Honor Book)

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In Hot Air: The (Mostly) True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride, author and illustrator Marjorie Priceman shows once again why reviewers have christened her "the master of whimsy." Recounting the Montgolfiers 1783 test run of their balloon and imagining, with postmodern verve, the story of the duck, sheep, and rooster who formed the first flight crew, Priceman's narrative is sure to delight both young readers and parents alike. (Reassurance: no animals were harmed in the telling of this Enlightenment-era tale). But the illustrations are the real treasure here (and the Caldecott committee concurs). While infused with the same spirited energy as her earlier books--How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World, Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin, Emeline at the Circus--the panels in Hot Air glow with a luminosity that outshines even Priceman's earlier work.

Hot Air: The Mostly True Story of the First Hot-Air Balloon Ride is about . . . well, the title pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

I wanted to love this book because it is about two things that are very important to my life: French History (I am an author of the subject) and aviation (I have been married to a pilot for almost 20 years). However, I just didn't LOVE this book.

The writing was not clever or catchy, no fun repetitive phrases or colorful words that would engage young readers. Frankly, the story is bland, boring. I also found the different sizes of typeset annoying. The most important negative, however, is that the author contends Benjamin Franklin was at the hot air balloon ride over Versailles. This is not true. Benjamin Franklin witnessed early hydrogen balloon experiments.

Now, for the positive. The illustrations in Hot Air are absolutely beautiful, full of bold, lively colors that reminds me of a bright sunny day in a garden in Paris. I love, love the colors this illustrator used. I also like the back leaf information about the history of ballooning.

If you would like a children's book about the first manned hot air balloon flight, I highly recommend Mouton's Impossible Dream by Anik Scannell McGrory, which is a fun book to read...a sure hit with young readers.

Starting with the historical facts of the first hot-air balloon ride, which took place in Versailles, France in 1783, Priceman lets her imagination - and illustrations - run wild. The first hot-air balloon aviators (i.e., the guinea pigs) were a sheep, a duck and a rooster. After a few introductory pages of text, Priceman depicts the flight with a series of wordless illustrations. The complex pictures lend themselves to careful inspection to catch all the elements of the story. In the end, our barnyard aviators land safely, which I hope this is one of the true facts of this story. 2006 Caldecott Honor Book.

Very charming book. My grandchildren, ages 7 and 4, very much enjoyed it. My grandson especially liked the rooster.

This book wasn't what I had imagined it to be. The first several pages contain a lot of words, and the last several pages are just pictures. My 6 year old son really enjoys this book, though, and asks for it at night.

I found this book okay .... not much of a story for kids to enjoy .... my child liked the illustrations. I bought this book as a gift based on other reviews.... if i had a chance to look inside the book ... maybe i would not have bought it for the person i did.

It is a book about history through bright and colorful illustration. The story takes place in Versailles with names and description which certain children will not be able to follow. Marjorie Priceman's work have always been dramatic with flair and this is no exception. This illustrated story is an adventure as the three wildly matched creature comforts, a rooster, a duck and a sheep sail through the sky in a colorfully set ambient of historical monuments one after another. It is a visually exciting story for children who especially like history and science. Thumbs up!

Great book for kids fascinated with Hot Air Balloons. It centers around the "mostly true" story of the first hot air balloon ride in France. Cute illustrations and historical references on the inside covers make it an educational and interesting read. Also check out "Hot Air Henry" - our son loves that one as well.

This book has a great story line with a sense of humor. Young kids love to hear me read it when I visit their classrooms.
I recommend you buy it as one of the books your primary grade kids will fight over.

I love this book and my children love it more. The story is hilariously told through the beautiful illustrations. The Caldecott committee made an excellent choice. This book would appeal to children of all ages.