How many film viewers have wanted to reach through the screen and touch the curiously enticing Le Ballon Rouge as it moved through the post-war streets of Paris during Albert Lamorisse’s French short-film classic, The Red Balloon?
In a similar way, books in a beloved Saint Paul bookstore entice young hands to linger over illustrations and fan through pages filled with fact or fiction. On one Saturday, the Red Balloon Bookshop is accessorized with duos—a set of teens scour the lower level for the next good read, a pair of women peruse titles and a father, cozy in front of book shelf, reads to his son, who runs his hands over the print with the recognition of a favorite tale.
Aptly named after the 1956 film, the Red Balloon Bookshop has encouraged readers’ imaginations to take flight since Carol Erdahl and Michele Cromer-Poire opened the doors in 1984. When Holly Weinkauf stepped in as owner, the timing was right on personal and business levels. “The area of children’s books is very exciting right now and has been since I bought the business four years ago,” she says, adding that Minnesota nourishes a rich and vibrant community of authors. “That’s something that helps us out, too, having that local talent right here.”
Weinkauf mentions several local authors, including Mike Wohnoutka, author of Dad’s First Day, Moo! and Little Puppy and the Big Green Monster; Margi Preus, author of West of the Moon; and Brian Farrey of The Vengekeep Prophecies. Farrey “has a great sense of humor in his book,” she says. ‘I’m looking forward to what else he writes for that age group.”
Red Balloon offers many opportunities for readers to gather during age-focused book clubs, which meet once a month. There are groups for Kids Read (second- through fourth-graders), Girls Read (fifth- through seventh-graders and their adult companions), Guys Read (fifth- through seventh-graders and their adult companions), Teens Read (eighth grade and above) and Not So Young Adults (adults who enjoy young adult literature). Some of the groups receive advance reading copies, which are yet-to-be-published versions of a book. “It’s helpful to us because we get to see what readers are excited about,” Weinkauf says.
Weinkauf’s own excitement for the book business is sustained by the joy she feels watching readers meet authors or find a longed-for title on the shelf. “It’s a business that makes a lot of difference for kids,” she says. To ensure that children continue to have access to books, The Red Balloon participates in several fundraising activities supporting area school book fairs, literacy programs or children’s organizations.
One of the store’s most anticipated programs is the annual holiday book drive, Be an Angel. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, for each book bought and donated by customers, the Red Balloon donates another book to the program, which benefits Project Reach for in-need Saint Paul children. On or around St. Nicholas Day (December 6) a local benefactor and storyteller visits the store, dressed in a St. Nicholas costume, much to the delight of children and families. “The parents love it because it focuses on the giving aspect,” says Joan Trygg, store manager. The jolly donor tells stories to the children and donates funds, so each child in attendance can choose a book to donate. “He’s done this for many, many years,” Weinkauf says. “He’s a storyteller, and it’s important to him to share the love of reading and books with kids in need.”
Last year’s effort between customers and the Red Balloon resulted in more than 530 books for Project Reach. “All the studies on reading and kids’ success in reading, what gets talked about is the (importance) of kids having books at home,” she says. “This is a way we all can share our love of reading with other kids.”
The Red Balloon Bookshop offers story time with Angela Whited from 10:30-11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays. “It’s another way we bring fun and books to kids,” owner Holly Weinkauf says. Spanish story time with Language Sprout Learning Center is also offered, and includes singing, rhyming and reading, along with a themed craft. Schedule information is available on the store’s website. Recommended for children ages 2 to 5 years.
