Book Signing: The Blue Balloon

The author and illustrator of the award-winning children's book, The Blue Balloon, will be on hand to sign books on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6, 2014, from 5 - 9 p.m. each day at Metalartz on Hypolita Street.

Author and marine scientist Melanie Cavanaugh wrote the book to help children become more responsible coastal citizens. The book follows the journey of a blue balloon that is mistakenly released from a birthday party, makes its way to the ocean, and causes some confusion to a mother leatherback sea turtle who thinks it may be a jellyfish, and therefore something to eat.

Art educator and illustrator Libby Heineken created the lively and colorful paintings that include depictions of several St. Augustine landmarks.

The Blue Balloon is sold at MetalArtz and several other St. Augustine art galleries, including the High Tide Gallery, the Colonial Quarter, and Simple Gestures.

Both author and illustrator will be on hand to sign books and talk about the creative process, as well as the importance of the book's message to make children aware of the consequences of what they release into the environment.

Admission is free to the book signing. The cost of the book is $19.95. A portion of the retail sales is donated to the University of Florida's Sea Turtle Hospital.

When? Friday,
 December 5 (during the First Friday Art Walk) from 5 - 9 p.m. and again on Saturday, December 6, from 5 - 9 p.m. 

Where? MetalArtz is located at 58 Hypolita Street in St. Augustine.

For more information on the event, please call (850) 524-5973. For more information on the The Blue Balloon, please visit here.