One Christmas Eve, while helping his Dad sell balloons, Billy is swept up, up into the sky. His Dad grabs hold, but the balloons soar higher and carry him along. Soon they are joined by a cow, a farmer, and a pair of monkeys, but the balloons pull them higher for a magical ride.
Then the group meets Santa Claus and the adventure takes a turn. Santa has eaten too many Mince Pies and is weighing down his sleigh. He can’t fit down the chimney any more. Billy has a fantastic idea. With a little help from Santa’s reindeer, Billy and his friends come to the ground and tie the balloons tight to Santa’s sleigh. Billy sets off for the adventure of a lifetime … or certainly of a Christmas Eve …
A fold-out page adds to the fun and shows exactly how many characters join Billy on his ride.
Lots of picture books have introduced a character – child, dog or otherwise – who is picked to ride in Santa’s sleigh. Often Santa has eaten too many mince pies – of course he has, when children all around the world leave treats for the man himself alongside carrots for the reindeer. What is often missing from the story is an explanation about how they came to be picked. This can be upsetting as a young reader. My big sister has such a book, one of those personalised stories. A single line stood out to my tiny ears. Santa told my big sister that she – and not myself, or two of our friends – had been chosen for the adventure. Aged 3, I knew this was wrong. Santa would never leave a single child out on a whim. I imagine this can be (almost) as equally disappointing when the chosen one is a fictional character like Billy and not an elder sibling. Stories need to explain. To make real. Especially when we’re talking about a beloved real-life figure like Santa.
Twinkling night skies and snowy grounds contrast with the colourful balloons. This is familiar yet entirely new, with a different kind of playfulness brought into the Christmas Eve tale.
A joyful story that puts a twist on the traditional tale of helping Santa deliver his load.
- Billy and the Balloons is available now from The Salariya Book Company (RRP. £11.99)
