The Day Ray Got Away - Hardcover

Johnson, Angela

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689873751 ISBN 13: 9780689873751

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2010

Synopsis

Ray is a parade balloon who longs to float far above the crowd, no strings attached. It’s his dream to fly on his own, though circumstances always seem to tie him down. But Ray is determined to achieve his goal, and with persistence and determination he manages to break free and soar through the skies. Readers will cheer for Ray’s triumph and delight in the joyful parade scenes—you’ll never look at a parade balloon the same way again!

About this title

About the Author

Angela Johnson has won three Coretta Scott King Awards, one each for her novels The First Part Last, Heaven, and Toning the Sweep. The First Part Last was also the recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award. She is also the author of the novels Looking for Red and A Certain October. Her books for younger readers include the Coretta Scott King Honor Book When I Am Old with You, illustrated by David Soman; Wind Flyers and I Dream of Trains, both illustrated by Loren Long; and Lottie Paris Lives Here and its sequel Lottie Paris and the Best Place, both illustrated by Scott M. Fischer. Additional picture books include A Sweet Smell of Roses, Just Like Josh Gibson, The Day Ray Got Away, and All Different Now. In recognition of her outstanding talent, Angela was named a 2003 MacArthur Fellow. She lives in Kent, Ohio. Visit her at AJohnsonAuthor.com.

Luke LaMarca is an illustrator. His first book was The Curious Demise of the Contrary Cat by Lynne Berry. He lives in Maryland.

Reviews

PreS-K–Sure, humans love balloon parades, but what about the balloons themselves? Do they ever tire of being inflated and marched down the streets? Apparently, some do. In this lighthearted story, the fateful morning begins when Ray wakes up with a smile (he always does) and announces to his fellow balloons, "Today is the day." The parade begins the same as usual, until Ray makes his break and havoc ensues. Cheerful acrylic cartoon illustrations elevate the understated story, adding foreshadowing, drama, and much humor. The balloons stay obediently within the page frames until Ray makes his big escape. At that point, all the balloons break through the borders, although only Ray is independently airborne. Readers see bits of him, but his identity is not fully revealed until midway through the book, when his smiling face hovers over the silhouettes of panicked parade viewers on an apartment roof. The text employs internal rhyme and a healthy dose of puns, resisting the temptation of an overt rhyme scheme. This is a solid choice for sharing with children, especially those who love balloon parades and those rebellious spirits who long to break free.Suzanne Myers Harold, Multnomah County Library System, Portland, OR
© Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

As a menagerie of huge balloon creatures wakes up and readies for a big parade (think Manhattan’s Thanksgiving Day event), one member rises above the pack of superheroes and animals. After behaving for years, Ray, an inflatable and indefatigable sun, decides that “this is the day.” Exactly what he means isn’t clear until the parade begins, and he slips away into the sky, causing mayhem for the participants and viewers left below. One of the handlers admits, “We were due for an . . . uprising,” as the other balloons, inspired by Ray’s rebellion, also attempt to escape. Only Ray succeeds, though. The cartoonish acrylic paintings are colorful, fun, and nicely composed, and the fact that one never sees the whole of Ray, except as a dark silhouette on the final spread, creates a visual guessing game and lends mystery to his actual physical size and infinite aspirations. As light as helium, this is an enjoyable, short account of a dreamer breaking away from the terrestrial bonds of conformity. Preschool-Grade 2. --Andrew Medlar

Edition details

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0689873751
• ISBN 13: 9780689873751
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: LaMarca Luke
• Number of pages: 40