The Balloon Story
One must experience Albuquerque’s Balloon festival. Especially children. To do so, you need to hop up early, around 4 AM. Watch the balloons slowly come to life as they’re being filled with hot-hot-air, then witness their inevitable rise into the air. By 9 AM, all the balloons illuminate a kaleidoscope of color high up against the blue-gray sky – yellows, reds, greens, blacks, purples.
Nowhere will you see a greater sight than in Albuquerque in October. People bring their balloons from all over the world – Norway, France, Australia, England, United States, Canada. A truly fabulous gift to New Mexico.
This delightful storybook presents rhyming couplets and visuals of hot-air balloons of Albuquerque New Mexico. Great for all and especially for pre-K through third grade. The book is perfect for family fun and entertainment with its powerful rhymes, bright colors and special messages.
Available in English and Spanish.
About Ellen Lopez (Charlotte, North Carolina Author)
Ellen Lopez was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She spent most of her "growing up" years practicing ballet, playing neighborhood sports and dreaming about faraway places like the Netherlands ("the Lowlands"), Norway ("the Land of the Midnight Sun") and New York City ("the Big Apple").
When Ellen was ten, she had the marvelous opportunity to go to Guadalajara for a whole summer! She and her family spent many weeks on the road in Mexico. Ellen attended summer school in Guadalajara while she and her family stayed with a local resident. Ellen kept a daily diary of the entire adventure. "American Schoolgirl Explores Mexico a Memoir" is her personal story.
Ellen enjoyed learning and graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Master's degree in Liberal Arts (1993), and from the University of Texas (Austin) with a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics (1976). She also has taken creative writing courses at Queen's University of Charlotte (2013-2014).
Recently, Ellen completed a rewarding 30-year career in Information Technology, first as a developer, then as a project manager. During this time, she had the opportunity to visit her favorite places - including Mexico. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband, Blas, writes every day and continues to travel.
