Balloons Over Broadway: Book Talk with Media Enhancements

In commemoration of the Thanksgiving holiday, Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet was read to the Bella Vista students and two special media enhancements were shown!

Balloons Over Broadway is a true story about Tony Sarg (not to be confused with Tony Stark, aka, Iron Man). Tony Sarg was a superhero in his own line of work making puppets, marionettes and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade's giant balloons!

In the Author's Note, I learned that Tony taught Bill Baird how to make marionettes. Bill made the marionettes for the "The Lonely Goatherd" in the movie, The Sound of Music. During the Book Talk students watched one minute of "The Lonely Goatherd" from the Sound of Music to see how marionettes work. ( MEDIA ENHANCEMENT: On a laptop, Google: the lonely goatherd, then scroll down to The Lonely Goatherd-Rodgers and Hammerstein: videos).

Bill Baird then taught Jim Henson how to make puppets. Jim Henson created the muppets on Sesame Street and those in the Muppet movies, such as Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy.  Tony Sarg's ingenious talent has delighted people for over 70 years through his own work and mentoring others.

In conclusion, students were shown photos of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons from 1927 to present day. (MEDIA ENHANCEMENT: Google: photos of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons, click Macy's Thanksgiving Day Iconic balloons 1927 to Today).

Balloons Over Broadway is a Beehive Nominee for 2013-14.