Penelope's balloons

Penelope Elephant adores her 10 red balloons, which go everywhere she goes. Penelope's very protective of her treasured balloons: She sits far away from best pal Piper the porcupine on the school bus, and at recess, she avoids a sharp-toothed crocodilian friend. One day after school, Penelope rushes home when a sudden storm develops. Though she tries to hold tight to her treasures in the face of heavy winds, eventually she lets go. She sits alone in the forest, brokenhearted. Supportive Piper appears with an umbrella and walks Penelope to her front door. Penelope soon discovers that one balloon has drifted home. Grabbing it, she races to her room and wraps it elaborately in a box to preserve it. As she tries mightily to protect it from her parents, who want to help, it breaks. Still, there's good news in the air--literally: Outside the window, everyone glimpses nine red balloons floating in the air. Flinging the front door open, Penelope discovers her balloons have received help returning home: Each one's clutched firmly by a good friend. Penelope now realizes what the "greatest treasures" truly are. This sweet friendship story makes clear that people are more important than even the most cherished of objects. The lively, colorful illustrations--those red balloons really pop--keep things moving. Penelope's an endearing, realistically developed character among the anthropomorphized all-animal cast; children will relate to her plight. A cozy friendship story is always welcome; the animals and balloons here add to the fun. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.