Balloons Over Broadway

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: the true story of the puppeteer of Macy's Parade. New York: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. This biography tells us how the floats of the popular Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade came to be. As a child Tony Sarg was fascinated with marionettes and moving toys. His big break came when Macy’s department store asked him to create a Christmas window display. His display was a huge hit and he was asked to help with a parade for the store employees. Every year the parade got bigger and Sarg eventually came up with the idea of parade floats. The design of the book is attractive and inviting. The illustrations compliment the text and show the creative process of Tony Sarg. Readers are given detailed illustrations of how the floats were eventually constructed. If you liked this book also read Milly and the Macy's Parade by Shana Corey.