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CHCL - "Evaluating Picture Books" (p. 85)

Content -
This is a go-with-the-flow kind of book. It contains a lot of dialogue and is easy to understand, even for young children. It does a great job of explaining memory loss to a young audience, while still keeping the focus of older children as well. The feelings may generate more with older ones, but it is still able to be understood by younger ones. There are no stereotypes found within the story. The characters are all their own person, and they are part of a family. The illustrations are in black and white, so there is really no telling of a true race. The balloons do an excellent job of representing the memories of the characters. It helps that the story explains their meaning and how they are important.
 
Illustrations -
The illustrations are in mostly black and white, except for the balloons (memories). This is significant because it highlights the importance of the balloons and the memories they represent. In the story, the child refers to the silver balloon that his grandfather has as well. It represents a memory of them fishing (refer to page with both child and grandfather by the fire). The illustrations really add to the understanding of the story. Without them, it might be confusing how the balloons even belong and what they stand for. Though many of the illustrations contain a white background, it all emphasizes the color in the balloons.

Medium and Style of Illustrations -
This author uses water color in his illustrations. I think this is a proper style for the story. It shows the color in each memory, and makes it absolutely beautiful. Not every page has color, but when it does, it is the balloons or a memory inside of the balloon. Again, since the balloons are such a significant part of the story, I believe this style is completely appropriate.

Format -
The book is designed well and contains appropriate cover pages for the story. The size of the book and the size of the text are appropriate. The format of the book emphasizes the theme properly as well.

Overall Evaluation -
This story is age appropriate and appeals the the proper audience. The text and illustrations flow together extremely well, making it easy to follow no matter the age of the child. The illustration style compliments the story well, emphasizing the important elements within the story.

Schneider Family Award Criteria -

Content -
This story does a great job of making the most of an awful scenario, grandpa losing his memory. Each character holds balloons, and each one represents a memory. Throughout the story, the child notices his grandfather is losing his balloons. Toward the end, he loses them all, even the one that contained their favorite memory. The boy's mom points out that because his grandfather had shared his memories with him, now the boy can share them with his grandfather again. Although no one wants to lose their memory, the mother emphasizes that they can share the memories he once had again. The disability came with age, which is accurate.

Style -
The book is not a part of a series, but stands alone. It shows the timeline of a man facing memory loss as he ages, and how it is affecting his grandson. The plot is easy to follow, and the ending provides a new way to look at such a hurtful situation.

Illustration in Picture Books -
A lot of dialogue is seen in this story. There is a consistent font, and it contains illustrations that compliment the text extremely well. Without the illustrations, it would be difficult to understand what the balloons represent. Without the text, it would be difficult to understand what is happening and why there are memories inside of the balloons. There is just the right amount of complimenting between the text and the illustrations. 

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