Come Back, Ben

A house has a face, hills change their shapes, a rainbow reverses its colors, and a balloon takes a boy to the moon. The day is full of surprises! "Bye, Ben," says his sister as Ben's red balloon takes him up, up, up . . . past bees in a tree, a kite on the big hill, and a rainbow in the clouds. When Ben finally reaches the moon, he puts moon rocks in his pockets and comes down again. Now the rainbow, the hill, the kite, the tree, and the bees all wear happy faces. And it's his sister's turn! Colorful cut-paper-and-ink artwork holds humorous surprises for the observant reader. All objects have life and are subject to change, underscoring Ben's sense of joy and wonder. An I Like to Read(R) book. Guided Reading Level D.★ "This excellent early reader will send new readers' confidence soaring. . . . Hello, Ben! We're glad you're here."—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
 
"This terrific beginning reader is imaginative, funny, and charming. The text is predictable and accessible, and the cut-paper and ink art matches it perfectly. . . . Children will want to read this one again and again. A must-have"—School Library Journal
 
"Concluding with a twist, the story shows that excellent adventure can develop out of words and sentences simple enough for the newest readers."—The Horn BookAnn Hassett and John Hassett have written and illustrated more than a dozen books for children. They live in a farmhouse on the coast of Maine.