Edition 1 · Picture book · Ages 3–7
A gentle, giggly tale about shy hopes.
Direct copies are a little cheaper than Amazon and posted by Mimi. Nothing is charged on the website until Mimi sends a payment link.
The story
Cherry Blossom Lane is a small place with a big heart. Can a shy little balloon pack a brave heart alongside the ribbons and bows?
Balloonie never dreamed of finding a friend like Bamboo. With a shimmer, a ribbon, and a little bit of courage, their gentle adventure unfolds in the sweetest ways. A heart-warming tale about bravery, hope, and discovering friendship exactly when you need it.Balloonie and Bamboo · Mimi Maple
On Cherry Blossom Lane stands Balloonie’s Balloon Shop, where no one makes happier balloons than Balloonie. Across the lane, in a tall red-roofed house, lives a gentle giant named Bamboo, with paws as big as puddles and the kindest eyes in town. Then a golden envelope whooshes through the shop door… and Balloonie’s ribbon begins to wiggle. Will a shy little balloon find the courage to go to a gentle giant’s birthday bash?
To a BIG Birthday Bash in Bamboo’s Garden. There’ll be cake and music, and plenty of space to play! Just mind your step – my paws are rather large today. Come Sunday at noon, under the old oak tree. Bring your laughter, your courage, and maybe… a spare balloon or three.
Love from Bamboo Lala
Look inside
A little peek at the opening pages. Tap the big page to turn it, use the arrows, or pick any page from the grid to see it full size. The preview stops just as the story gets going.
Pick a page
The opening pages of the printed book, including the Map of our Beautiful Town. The bonus pages from the back of the book are further down this page.
Meet the friends in this book
Tap a friend to learn their story, their favourite things and one little secret.
Words to remember
Favourite sentences from the story, ready to read aloud together. Press the speaker to hear them.
Talk about it
Eight questions from the back of the book to talk about after reading, at home or in the classroom.
Teachers: copy the questions straight into your planning or a worksheet.
The Thinking Time page as it appears in the book, with a “My Big Idea” box to write or draw in.
Tricky little words
Tap a word to find out what it means. Find five and Balloonie will throw a little confetti.
Tap a word to begin.
Behind the pages
Retold from the Create Your Own Character page at the back of the book.
Two of the bonus pages at the back of the book. Tap to see them full size.
Your turn
Follow Mimi’s recipe: choose something fun to draw, give it a name and a big heart, then whisper one secret. Leave a box empty and Balloonie will lend you one of hers.
Try this at home
Ideas from the book’s bonus pages, plus two free printables to download for home or the classroom.
Free printables
Printable pages inspired by the back of the book. For home and classroom use.
There’s more to the story
This book tells the birthday from Balloonie’s side. In Bamboo and Balloonie, the same gentle friendship is told from Bamboo’s: practising her smile in the mirror, padding door to door with her invitations and waiting, heart fluttering, for her guests to arrive. Read both editions together to see one friendship from two hearts. Both stories will also be bound back to back in the Twin Stories Special Edition hardcover, coming soon.
Ready for the party?
Balloonie and Bamboo is available direct from Mimi, as a digital edition to read online, on Amazon, or in person from The Dance House Academy shop in Clacton-on-Sea.
