The Balloon Ride
In this book, there is a full color picture on every page.
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This Book Is About You!
Bryce Vogel
Age 6
We hope you like this book,
Aunt Ann and Zachary
2005
Page 3
Bryce Vogel looked out his window in Lago Vista and saw a beautiful hot-air balloon. It looked so pretty as it floated by. He called for Drew and Jacob to come and look, too.
Page 4
Bryce watched as the balloon slowly drifted toward the ground. Dogs barked nervously as the balloon came down. It landed gently in a nearby field.
Page 5
"I wish I could ride in a balloon like that," Bryce said to Drew and Jacob. He pictured a balloon in his mind, but it was empty because Bryce didn't think he would ever get the chance to ride in a balloon.
Page 6
Bryce was listening to the radio with Drew and Jacob when the announcer said, "Everyone is invited to come to the balloon festival this Saturday. There will be a special prize for the boy or girl who draws the best picture of a hot-air balloon."
Page 7
All over Lago Vista, kids wondered what the special prize would be. Maybe a trophy. Or maybe a blue ribbon. Nobody could figure it out.
Page 8
Bryce thought, "I can do it." He drew and colored for two days. As he worked, Bryce dreamed of riding in his balloon.
Page 9
Bryce went to the festival with Drew and Jacob. Almost all of the kids in Lago Vista were there. "This won't be easy," he thought.
Page 10
The judges were busy judging the pictures. No one knew what the special prize would be! People were walking around, looking at the balloons. From far away the balloons had looked small. Up close, however, they were huge.
Page 11
The more Bryce saw, the more he wished that he could go up in a balloon. "Oh, well. Maybe someday...." he thought.
Page 12
The balloon race started early. Bryce watched as balloon after balloon took off. Soon the air was filled with them. Before long the balloons were just tiny dots in the distance.
Page 13
The announcer said, "Attention, please:
The winner of the special prize is about to be announced. The prize is a balloon ride." Bryce could not believe it. A real balloon ride?
Page 14
Bryce held his breath as the announcer said, "And the winner is..."--there was a long pause-"...Bryce Vogel." The crowd cheered as the winning picture was held up for all to see.
Page 15
The balloon pilot opened the gondola door for Bryce to climb aboard. He saw the brightly colored balloon above them. The pilot said, "Bryce, pull on that rope and we will take off" Bryce pulled hard on the rope.
Page 16
Bryce's balloon slowly began to rise into the air. The breeze moved it gently across the fields, away from the cheering crowd. Bryce noticed how quiet it was riding in the balloon. All he could hear was the breeze and sometimes a cheer from far down below.
Page 17
Bryce waved. He could see Drew and Jacob waving back. As they went higher, the people on the ground got smaller and smaller, until they looked no bigger than ants. Riding in a balloon was even more wonderful than he had dreamed.
Page 18
After a while the balloon landed gently in a field, not far from the balloon festival. Drew and Jacob rushed over to see it land. The ride was over, but Bryce would remember it for a lifetime.
