The boy has been waiting for this day for many months. It's the day his daddy comes home from overseas. He jumps out of bed and gets ready for the big event. But before going downstairs for breakfast, he takes along something very important: his red balloon. There will be many families and loved ones at the pier. The red balloon will help his father find him among the crowd. But as the ship approaches, the boy loses his grip on the red balloon. Will his daddy find him in the crowd?

About the Author
Eve Bunting is the author of the Caldecott Medal-winning Smoky Night. Among her other numerous titles are My Special Day at Third Street School, Girls A to Z, and My Backpack. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Kay Life has illustrated more than fifteen books for children, including Muggie Maggie by Beverly Cleary, for which Ms. Life received the Garden State Children's Book Award. She lives in Westfield, Massachusetts.

Reviews
"True to the small child's viewpoint, there is no talk of war or patriotism, right or wrong, only that Daddy was 'making sure our country stays safe.'" -Booklist

"The straightforward language is pitched perfectly and Life's naturalistic, warm-hued watercolors are reassuring. . . . Full of sentiment." -Kirkus Reviews

"Another sensitive, caring title for service families and those who work with them." -School Library Journal



Book Information
ISBN 9781590782637
Author Eve Bunting
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Boyds Mills Press
Publisher Astra Publishing House
Weight(grams) 380g
Dimensions(mm) 275mm * 224mm * 9mm