My Bed is an Air Balloon
What’s inside...
In 'My Bed is an Air Balloon,' written by Julia Copus, readers are taken on a whimsical adventure through the dreams of two children. As they slumber, their beds transform into magical air balloons that carry them through the night sky. They encounter a variety of fantastical landscapes and creatures, exploring a dream world where the imagination knows no bounds. The book is filled with rhyming verses and vivid illustrations that captivate the young audience, encouraging them to dream big and believe in the power of their own creativity. It's a celebration of the joy and wonder of where our dreams can take us when we let our imaginations soar. From the bestselling, award-winning, much-loved author of Welcome to the Zoo and ABC, a beautifully presented book with two front covers. The text can be read from front to back and vice versa. The mirror form poem meets in the middle in a stunning centerpiece image as the two children in the story (twins, one in an air balloon, the other a sailing boat) meet in the clouds!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-5
Length
16 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you imagine it would be like if your bed could fly? Where would you go?
How do the colors and illustrations make you feel as we read through the night sky scenes?
What are some of the things you would pack for your flying bed adventure?
How does the girl in the story feel about her journey, and what can we learn from her experiences?
If you could choose any friend to join you on a flying bed adventure, who would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to use their imagination to expand on the story, perhaps drawing their ideal flying bed or mapping out a journey.
Discuss the emotions depicted in the story and relate them to your child’s own feelings about nighttime and adventures.
Use the story as an opportunity to discuss the concepts of dreams and reality, asking your child to differentiate or integrate the two.
As you read, point out the rich, poetic language and vivid illustrations, asking your child how these elements enhance the story.
Post-reading, encourage your child to tell their own bedtime story, integrating elements from 'My Bed is an Air Balloon.'
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Imagination
Explanation: In 'My Bed is an Air Balloon,' the child's bed transforming into an air balloon symbolizes the power of imagination to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Real-World Application: Children can apply their imagination to their daily play and learning activities, turning simple tasks into creative adventures.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing new experiences
Explanation: As the child embarks on a fantastical journey in their air balloon bed, they demonstrate bravery in exploring unknown realms.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be open and brave about trying new activities or facing changes in their lives.
Example Lesson: The value of dreaming
Explanation: The book highlights dreaming as a meaningful and enriching activity, not just a passive state.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value their dreams and see them as important parts of their mental and emotional growth.
Example Lesson: Companionship
Explanation: Throughout the journey, the child is accompanied by a stuffed animal, emphasizing the importance of having companions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to build and value relationships, understanding that companionship can provide comfort and confidence in various situations.
Example Lesson: Joy in adventure
Explanation: The sheer delight in exploring and the colorful illustrations promote finding joy in new experiences.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children approach new challenges with a positive attitude, seeing them as opportunities for adventure and joy.