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When "certified balloonatic" Addi Somekh and his photographer friend, Charlie Eckert, got a bee in their bonnet to travel the world, spreading good cheer through... balloon hats, they had only a vague idea where this madness would lead. Three years and six incredible journeys later, the creative pair had brought smiles to the faces of thousands of people--and they had the makings of this... More

When "certified balloonatic" Addi Somekh and his photographer friend, Charlie Eckert, got a bee in their bonnet to travel the world, spreading good cheer through... balloon hats, they had only a vague idea where this madness would lead. Three years and six incredible journeys later, the creative pair had brought smiles to the faces of thousands of people--and they had the makings of this book and balloon hat-making kit. The small, imaginative book describes Somekh and Eckert's experiences of showing up in towns and rural areas of Europe, Africa, Central America, the Balkans, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States, and making balloon hats for people in their natural, everyday environments. The bulk of the book, however, is a step-by-step pictorial guide to creating fantastic headpieces out of balloons. Numbered boxes with black backgrounds reveal crisp photos of hands twisting, pinching, and squeezing colorful balloons to create swirlies, ballies, dingies, teddy bear twists, loops, locks, and other cleverly named techniques that ultimately result in latex tiaras, polar bear loungers, unicorn hats, Martian helmets, and the spectacular Dysfunctionally Large Hat. Three international balloon photo galleries showcase gorgeous snapshots of people (and a camel or two) wearing or playing with Somekh's balloon creations.

Part sociological study, part entertainment, part how-to book, this kit, which includes the 152-page book, 30 colorful balloons, and a super piston-action pump (as well as a very convincing list of 7 reasons to make balloon hats), is pure fun. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter

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