The Big Balloon Race, Level 3 (I Can Read)

This Level 3 I Can Read book is an excellent choice to share
during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 5 to 7 who are ready to
read independently. It’s a fun way to keep your child engaged and as a
supplement for activity books for children.

Ariel would love to be in the basket of Lucky Star on the day of the big balloon race against Bernard the Brave. Her mother, Carlotta the Great, is the best lady balloonist in America. But Ariel's parents think she is too young. Little do they know she is asleep in the Odds and Ends box when Carlotta the Great orders "Hands off!" and the balloon race begins.

 The thrills of Ariel's first ride in a hydrogen balloon come to life in this story based on a real ballooning family of the late 1800's. Carolyn Croll's pictures capture the pageantry and drama of the race, and will have readers rooting to the end for Ariel and her mother.

Eleanor Coerr is the author of many books for young readers, including The Big Baloon Race, a Reading Rainbow book, Chang's Paper Pony, and The Josefina Story Quilt, a Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies.

Carolyn Croll is the distinguished illustrator of many books for children, including the I Can Read Books The Big balloon race by Eleanor Coerr and Clara and the Bookwagon by Nancy Smiler Levinson. She lives in Philadelphia, PA.