Winner of the GOLD Mom's Choice Award
This award is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly books that help families grow emotionally, physically and spiritually; are morally sound and promote good will; and are inspirational and up lifting.
Winner of the Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award for best writing
Presented annually to family-friendly books that inspire imagination and creativity and helps support childhood literacy and lifelong reading.
Winner of the Moonbeam Children's Book Award for best illustrations
Book award contest recognizing the year's best children's books; celebrating youthful curiosity and discovery through books and reading.
Winner of the IndieFab Award
The Foreword INDIES are judged by a panel of over 120 librarians and booksellers to bring attention to some of the most innovative, creative, and beautiful books from independent presses and authors.
endorsements and reviews
Children's Hospital of Pittsburg UPAC
At Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, we are gifting the book My Yellow Balloon in our resource packets mailed to our grieving families. We have received such positive feedback from families who receive this book. As our bereaved parents are faced with such profound sadness, they have wrote about the book being helpful to them, as well as to other family members. Sharing My Yellow Balloon has been a useful tool in talking with siblings and children of all ages who grieve. One bereaved parent wrote to us and said, “This book is very fitting. I keep it close. I don’t look at it all the time but I know to find it.”
While there is not a one size fits all approach to grief, this story has the power to give hope to those that grieve.
Lori Malazich, MSW, LCSW
Bereavement Coordinator, Supportive Care Department
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
“Rarely in life does a book come along that leaves a lasting imprint on me. My Yellow Balloon did just that. It’s beautifully written and wonderfully illustrated and although it’s packaged as a children’s book every emotion Joey felt took me back to my own childhood. By the end of the story, my grin was wide and a little piece of my soul had healed.”
~Kelly Nishimoto TV Host, Designer, and Momtrepreneur
“As I read My Yellow Balloon, I was struck by the truth of the story—a very complicated subject beautifully and simply told. Several years ago, my 21-year-old sister, my yellow balloon, died way too early and the gradual healing portrayed in this children's book is incredibly accurate. Eventually, with time, despite the lingering sting of loss, things start to look brighter. Days once again become joyful. Not that you ever forget, but life goes on and there is peace. I would have loved this book to read to my young children at the time because the loss of their beloved aunt was a mystery—lots of crying, when would it end…this story would have helped…A truly lovely book!”
—Ella Joy Olsen Author of Root, Petal, Thorn and Where the Sweet Bird Sings
““An effective and moving approach to understanding sorrow that children should understand.””
““Boy loves balloon. Boy loses balloon. Boy breaks down grief stricken. Slowly, heartbreakingly, skies clear and boy learns to smile again. Meanwhile—Gentle reader captivated by artwork. Gentle reader smitten with boy. Gentle reader catches balloon-like lump in throat. Slowly, pitifully, tears subside and gentle reader comes to grips with loss. All helium and hyperbole aside, My Yellow Balloon is a masterpiece of story and art.””
““A gifted storyteller and a fine artist have combined their talents to create this comforting children’s tale about understanding grief. Together they produced a touching narrative for youngsters who have experienced loss.””
““My Yellow Balloon combines the word pictures of the author with the vivid artwork of the artist in a magical way to produce a meaningful message to the young reader… Their collaboration in My Yellow Balloon is remarkable.””
““We have fallen in love with My Yellow Balloon. We believe that this book will be a great tool for children in our school-based program that are learning to cope with significant losses such as death, divorce, foster care, deployment, incarceration, and deportation. It is the perfect new addition for our grief and loss curriculum.””
““The combination of the simple story and the dramatic color effects created a very strong sense of loss when this child lost his precious balloon. Loss is a part of life but so very often we choose not to address it or anticipate it, especially with children. I love that My Yellow Balloon is truly about loss and can be adapted to whatever that looks like at the time...significant or minimal. Using both words and images that connect with children, it expresses what loss feels like and the hope they can have that things will get better. I highly highly recommend this book for homes, schools, counselors and anyone dealing with children experiencing loss. It is simply beautiful and its message is timeless.””
““A Perfectly Moving Book About Loss… My Yellow Balloon is an incredible picture book that tackles such an important social issue in a way that is accessible for kids. There are not many books that deal with loss in a way that is easy for all young readers to relate to.””
““My Yellow Balloon is beautifully written and illustrated book for children about love and loss and how parents can help children through it is a must own.””
““My Yellow Balloon by Tiffany Papageorge is such a gorgeously touching book.””
““Have you ever read a book with a deeper meaning then you originally perceived? Has a story ever give you the shivers or brought tears to your eyes? That’s what happened to me while reading My Yellow Balloon.””
““My Yellow Balloon is a bright, beautiful book that teaches kids an important lesson about navigating loss.””
““My Yellow Balloon serves as an important, gentle tool for children, but also for anyone grieving a loss of any sort or those helping guide others through loss. The powerful simplicity of the words, combined with excellent illustrations, makes My Yellow Balloon a truly inspirational companion.””
““My Yellow Balloon is instrumental in helping kids understand the strength of love and the power of resilience.””
““This adorable book is a stellar example of why my favorite books about grief are those written especially for children. The author tackles the heavy subjects of attachment, love, loss, grief, transformation and hope with the simplest of words, and the illustrations are beautiful enough to convey the story even without the accompanying text. It’s all done in a way that readers of any age can grasp, including the grownups who care for them. As a grief counselor, I am happy to recommend this book to clients and colleagues alike.””
““My Yellow Balloon ultimately shows children that it’s okay to grieve and go through a series of emotions when they lose something. Whether it be a pet, a toy, or something else near and dear that a child grieves over, they can find validation and comfort in My Yellow Balloon.””
““Wow this is a wonderful story to read to children, but adults will receive something from it too.””
““My Yellow Balloon is comforting guide for children navigating all kinds of loss, from a family member or friend, to a divorce or to moving to a new town…. This book is sure to be a classic, upcoming book that will help kids (and adults) process grief, loss and letting go.””
““Everyday people in the world go through the same loss that Kelton and I have. Children aren’t as well equipped to explain themselves or tell us what they need. My Yellow Balloon can provide them with some understanding of how they may being feeling and provide hope that one day they will feel “normal” again. This book is perfect not only for a loved ones passing but I could see where My Yellow Balloon would help with an animals passing, it could even come in handy for helping with coping during a divorce.” ”
““I think all homes, schools, and doctor’s offices should have this book and open the lines of communication with children about grief. We should be equipping children to process pain and loss before it comes, giving them a tool to handle loss... Our family recently lost a beloved pet cat and this book came at the perfect time...This book really paved the way for my husband and I to have a healthy conversation with our daughters about how they are likely feeling.””
““The perfect book for just about anyone dealing with grief on any level.” ”
