Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm, written by Jerdine Nolen, is a precious book in our home. I bought Balloon Farm in the 1990s at a Scholastic book fair when I was still in elementary school.
Who doesn’t love a good book fair? The titles, the pictures, the smell of fresh paper…
As you might be able to see, my copy of Balloon Farm has become a bit worn after years of reading and re-reading.
Balloon Farm is a story about magic and imagination, told from the eyes of a young Black girl in an American-South style setting. The story is silly and charming, but the narrator is given just enough seriousness to make the child-reader wonder, “Can a balloon really grow on a plant?”
The full-page illustrations create the perfect mix of creative vibrance and narrative depth to draw in the eye. These illustrations are those that you can look over, again and again, and notice a new detail each time. Unsurprisingly, the illustrated balloons are the most memorable: it is easy to see that illustrator Mark Buehner put all their love and care into giving each balloon uniqueness, vibrancy, and personality.
This book is such a favourite in our household that we used Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm as inspiration when our local library put on their Edible Book Contest.
The Edible Book Contest is a fun challenge for book lovers. The concept is simple: choose your favourite book and create a diorama representing that book solely out of edible goods. For example, I have seen Rapunzel in her tower made from cake and long strands of licorice; J.R.R. Tolkien’s dragon moulded out of fondant; a portrait Garfield “painted” out of M&Ms and “glued” with cake icing.
When all the dioramas are finished, you may vote for a winner if you please. But, the best part of the contest is when the dioramas are shared, eaten, and enjoyed by all. The Edible Book challenge can also be done at home among siblings, cousins, or even as a book club activity!
Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm
Now, I admit, I am not much of a baker. My cake pops certainly did not win any baking accolades.
But my family and I enjoyed working together and making an edible-version of Harvey Potter’s Balloons. Even if they weren’t much to look at, they were delicious.
Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm is a must-find at your local library.
Harvey Potter’s Balloon Farm
Written by Jerdine Nolen
Illustrated by Hark Buehner
