A balloon is a splendidly unreliable thing to put in a children’s book. It can turn a birthday party into an airborne rescue, make a porcupine confront the practical limits of enthusiasm, or slip from one small hand and give a whole story somewhere to go. Children understand the stakes immediately: the string is thin, the sky is enormous, and one distracted second can change everything.
Bookroo’s collection of 51 balloon books follows those strings in several directions. Our editors chose lost-and-found stories, toddler chases, an early reader, the invention of Macy’s enormous parade balloons, and two especially gentle books that use balloons to help children talk about memory and loss. This page is about the kind you hold by a string; hot air balloons have a collection of their own. Start with the thirteen favorites below, then browse the board-book and picture-book shelves by age.
Discover the story behind the iconic Macy's Parade balloons.
A boy struggles to preserve his grandpa's fading memories as they drift away.
A grumpy cat's bad day turns into an unexpected adventure with balloons and new friends.
Isabel defies rules to get a forbidden balloon on Graduation Day.
A boy adopts a balloon dog in a world containing far too many forks, porcupines, and sharp corners.
A red balloon follows a lonely boy through the streets of Paris as faithfully as any dog.
A balloon transforms Bear's world, sparking a journey of friendship and discovery.
Emily brings home a yellow balloon and treats it with the careful devotion usually reserved for a new puppy.
A shy bird musters courage to befriend a bear, but a red balloon complicates things.
Owl has a balloon. Monkey wants it. Will a sock be the key to a trade?
A boy's imagination soars as he wonders where his lost balloon goes.
Pip points at a balloon, grabs the string, and discovers that one short word can start a very high adventure.
A boy keeps asking his grieving father for a balloon until bright bundles begin appearing at their door.
Sturdy little balloon chases, lift-the-flap surprises, first shapes, and friends who float just high enough to require a rescue. Ages 0–5.
A package sends a rabbit on a shape-filled adventure.
A balloon escapes, leading to a playful chase. Can they catch it?
Discover the magic of balloon artistry while mastering tricky vowel sounds.
A chipmunk floats away with a balloon. Can Little Bear save him?
Discover the playful beginnings of a curious monkey and his adventures.
A lost balloon leads to new friendships and adventures for a curious kitty.
Runaway strings, impossible pets, birthday-party mishaps, giant parade balloons, and short sentences a new reader can manage alone. Ages 3–9.
Two friends leave their rooftop to find a new adventure.
A lost balloon leads to unexpected fun.
A carousel ride turns into an arctic adventure with balloons and a polar bear.
Can a single balloon make an elephant fly? Discover the magic of imagination.
A giraffe faces an unexpected rival, testing his self-worth and hero status at the zoo.
A lonely balloon finds love and adventure with a lively kite in the sky.
A lonely ghost finds unexpected friendship with a wandering balloon.
A porcupine's love for balloons leads to a big problem and an even bigger idea.
A young girl secretly joins a thrilling balloon race, defying her parents' wishes.
Balloons vanish every Friday. Can two detectives solve the mystery?
Discover the secret world of balloons after dark.
A ball envies a balloon's flight but discovers his own unique talents.
