Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm

Rating:
Summary: Fun story complemented by superb illustrations
Review: Before there was Harry Potter, there was Harvey Potter, gentleman balloon farmer. Jerdine Nolen's story is fun and plays off a child's natural curiosity. The story is great--a little girl spies on the farmer of a balloon farm to figure out exactly how he grows those balloons (and, of course, it turns out that he uses good old-fashioned magic). But what really makes this book a stand-out are Mark Buehner's superb illustrations. Slyly employing a style and upright look that recalls both Grant Wood and Edward Hopper, Buehner turns the volume up by using super-saturated colors--perfect for a book about magic and balloons. There is almost more humor and wonder in the pictures than in the text. I highly recommend this book, especially for budding artists. The pictures are just a joy to gaze upon and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Fun story complemented by superb illustrations
Review: Before there was Harry Potter, there was Harvey Potter, gentleman balloon farmer. Jerdine Nolen's story is fun and plays off a child's natural curiosity. The story is great--a little girl spies on the farmer of a balloon farm to figure out exactly how he grows those balloons (and, of course, it turns out that he uses good old-fashioned magic). But what really makes this book a stand-out are Mark Buehner's superb illustrations. Slyly employing a style and upright look that recalls both Grant Wood and Edward Hopper, Buehner turns the volume up by using super-saturated colors--perfect for a book about magic and balloons. There is almost more humor and wonder in the pictures than in the text. I highly recommend this book, especially for budding artists. The pictures are just a joy to gaze upon and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: great story with interesting storyline.
Review: Favorite characters: Harvey Potter, Wheezle Mayfield and a young black girl

Harvey Potter is a quiet farmer. He grows balloons on corn stalks. He grows all different shapes of balloons. He has round, long, animal, clown, and scary-looking balloons. He people in his city have always wondered how he grew his balloons. So Weezle Mayfield calls the government to check Harvey's balloons. When the government arrives, they check out his balloons. Harvey is nervous when they check his balloons. The government finds nothing suspicious, so they leave. Later, a little girl who is a friend to Harvey, hides up in a tree and is amazed of Harvey's secret to growing balloons.
This is a great story with interesting storyline. The pictures of the balloons growing on a corn stalk are really cool. The pictures really enrich the story, opening your imagination, which makes this story a great read. Most young children will have no trouble understanding the words in this book. The pictures are amazing, they are almost as good as the book. This is a great story to read and share to young children. I give this story a 5 out of 5.

Rating:
Summary: Did you ever wonder where balloons really come from?
Review: First, for the record, Harvey Potter was out there on his balloon farm raising balloons in all shapes, sizes, and colors several years before his more famous English cousin Harry found a stone of a philosophical or sorcerous nature. First time author Jerdine Nolen explains to young readers where balloons really come in this delightfully imaginative tale and the answer is "Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm," which is an actual U.S. Government Inspected Balloon farm. Everybody in town is curious about how Harvey works such wonders with his "latex thumb," which inspires a young girl to climb up a tree late one night to see how Harvey does works his magic by the light of a full moon.

Harvey Potter reminds me somewhat of Willy Wonka, probably because both would end up on most people's short list of jobs they wish really existed. The other parallel will be clear once you read this imaginative little story. Mark Buehner's rich acrylic artwork does a wonderful job of capturing the rich colors of all the balloons on Harvey Potter's farm, making you understand exactly why "Pleasin' Purple" and "Orange-Ray Sun" called what they are called. More importantly, both the simple text and the vibrant drawings bring the characters in this tale alive. The most important similarity between Harvey and Harry is that both tales are magical. Nolen has crafted a wonderful story for young readers, even if they do not live near a balloon farm.

Rating:
Summary: Great concept, wonderful illustrations
Review: Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm was a joy to read. (And reread)
Humor exists at many levels. The concept of a balloon farm is so absurd to an adult, yet inherently logical to children: for balloons must come from *somewhere*.
The only character in the story who's really concerned about the paradox calls in the government. He is chagrined when the agents certify the balloon farm as genuine, and leaves in a huff, never to be seen again.

The vernacular adds to the depth of charm - a real person is telling us this story. The illustrations are outstanding, adding to the magic.

Rating:
Summary: Magical
Review: I just read Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm to my little brother who is 6 years old. He got it at the library and had it sitting on the table when it caught my eye. The illustrations are excellent! I am a future art teacher, finishing up my last year of college. We have been looking at different books that could be incorporated into lessons. This book is a must for my class! I love the possibilities that this book gives for stretching a child's imagination and creativity. It's very appealing because of it's colorful images and magical story.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful introduction to magical imagination
Review: I love it. My daughters love it. This is the magical world sticking a pin into the real world. The resulting pop is marvelous.
It has a progressive story line that could almost be broken down into chapters. Unlike most young children's literature, this has a protagonist and an antagonist. Think of that! The natural language makes the story feel like a personal conversation.
Many Harry Potter readers will find that it contains the same level of magic and imagination as those books, but at a level meant for small children. In fact, there are many of the same items. There are so many similarities that I tell my 7 year old, who has read the first two of the other books, that it is the story of Harry's uncle back in the 50's. This really adds to the dimension of magic.

Rating:
Summary: I Remember Reading This
Review: I really loved this book when it was read to me in early elementary school. I don't remember how the story goes very well but when I think of Balloon Farm, a happy feeling comes over me. This is a great book and everyone, no matter what age, should read it.

Rating:
Summary: not an original idea
Review: My son (3-1/2 years old) and I love this book. It is absolutely delightful. The colorful illustrations, the hidden images, the story itself...it's wonderful. The text demands to be read outloud and is completely appropriate. We read it several times a week and I look forward to it each time. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best children's books out there
Review: My son (3-1/2 years old) and I love this book. It is absolutely delightful. The colorful illustrations, the hidden images, the story itself...it's wonderful. The text demands to be read outloud and is completely appropriate. We read it several times a week and I look forward to it each time. I highly recommend it!