Balloon and the Moon is a gentle adventure with a mindful message. Perfect for families looking for meaningful children’s books, local author and illustrator, Madi Love, created this charming story to share a message of comfort and hope. Her characters, Mouse and Balloon, remind kids that love can span any distance.
What came first, the story or the art?
I had the idea for the book for about a year before publishing. My background is in creative writing and graphic design, and I love illustration. I had been making art inspired by my travels and had created a hot air balloon, which I feel was part of my childhood in a way. I also had a moon and some clouds, and the way everything was placed felt very serene. I could feel the story building. I did some meditation on it and all of a sudden, it clicked: ‘Oh my gosh, my art is the story.’ If I take inspiration from my art pieces and translate them into a story, then I marry these two, and it’s like, this is me!
What inspires your illustration style?
When I was traveling a lot, I would turn something I loved from my experience into pieces of art. Nature and travel inspired me to do these more minimalistic pieces, a lot of color theory goes into my art, and I love illustration on the computer; it brings this crisp, clean world to my art, and I’m able to articulate my message through that skillset.
You do these sweet activations with your readings - tell us about that.
It’s this magical moment. In the book, Balloon has a wish to go to the moon. And so, at my readings, sometimes we’ll make these wish jars. You can fill it with crystals and stars, but you have this piece of paper, and you write your wish; you roll it up and keep it in the jar and it’s like a manifestation jar. It teaches kids to hold on to their wish.
Where can we find your book?
I’m in five independent bookstores. Locally, I’m involved with Pearl’s Books in Fayetteville and Two Friends Books in Bentonville. You can also get Balloon and the Moon online. I’ll also be doing a reading at Crystal Bridges STREAM event on August 31st.
Love's characters, Mouse and Balloon, remind kids that love can span any distance.