It was was with loud cheers and bright tears that children’s literature enthusiasts met the news that Melissa Sweet had won The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal for her visually stunning, playfully funny, and meticulously researched, Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy’s Parade.
In honor of Melissa’s brilliant work and in memory of puppeteer Tony Sarg who she so lovingly portrays, readers around the country are making small donations to No Strings International, an incredible UK charity.
No Strings teams the wonderful talents of puppeteers from the original Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock with development aid specialists to create life-saving educational films for vulnerable children and communities around the world.
No Strings programs include peace building in Southeast Asia, gender equality and Aids awareness in Sub-Saharan Africa, landmine education in Afghanistan, and other amazing endeavors.
Say, “Hurrah!” for Melissa and the grand daddy of puppetry by making a wee donation.
You can also celebrate with the children in your circles by making puppets in the style of the grand Tong Sarg with Melissa Sweet’s puppet kit which can be downloaded here.
This is such a fitting and wonderful way to honor the book and Tony Sarg. Thank you to friends and colleagues in Maine and beyond for all of your support. I am over the moon!
Well done, Melissa! The illustrations are gorgeous and it looks like the whole project was a gas.
Congratulations, Melissa. The book is a gem and we are so proud that you are a fellow Mainer!