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The red balloon
A record of pre–kindergarten’s journey with The Red Balloon | Canberra Grammar School Early Learning Centre
During an exploration of the subject of France, the pre–kindergarten children at Canberra Grammar School’s ELC were particularly enchanted by the story The red balloon. Written by Albert Lamorisse and based on the 1956 film of the same name, the book prompted a lot of discussions around the themes of friendship, loneliness, jealousy and the notion of imaginary friends.
After first reading, the The red balloon the children were asked to draw a response to the story, using only a black and white pen and some red for the balloon. The children were then asked to explain their pictures.
Eve, 5 years
The boy’s going on the bus. He sees the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. The red balloon is floating behind the bus because it’s not allowed on. They’re friends. It follows him everywhere. He was so sad when the balloon burst.
Sophie, 5 years
The boy’s happy because the bus driver can’t see the balloon following. The boy doesn’t have anyone else — only the red balloon. Big boys had a fight with him. They wanted the red balloon.
Akash, 5 years
The boy came home and when his mummy came home she opened that window and threw the balloon out. Then the balloon came back and it came a little bit near the window and the boy got it. He hid the balloon in his bedroom because he liked the balloon.
Lachlan, 4 years
The boy was looking for his balloon. The red balloon popped and the boy felt sad. He wanted it to stay. All the other balloons came and took the boy up in the sky.