Soccer Dad

Of curious george and big max

Great item on CBS News about the guy who imitates Curious George.

Any kids who've read "Curious George" have had to be curious themselves: What would it be like to be carried away by balloons?

CBS News correspondent Steve Hartman has a story about a guy we'll call "Curious John."

Curious John begins his adventures early in the morning with about 20 volunteers, 80 balloons and $1,400 worth of helium.

"It’s quite a production," John said.

His real name is John Ninomiya, and he's the only person in the country who does this.

"I had to find various balloons to do the testing," Ninomiya said. He uses balloons made for "flying out in front of a car dealership," or other outdoor use.

But they're not for aviation?

"No, they're not," he admitted with a laugh.

How does he get down? Guess or read on.

Balloons also play a role in the children's classic "Big Max and the Missing Moose by Kin Platt (illustrated by Robert Lopshire, he of "Put me in the Zoo" fame.)

I was reading the "Missing Moose" with my six year old and remembered why I loved it so much. While it possesses an internal logic, the dialogue is laced with non-sequitirs and the whole story is just plain absurd. The artwork is also perfect.

I'm not going to spoil the book by explaining what balloons have to with the mystery, but I'm sure you'll figure it out!

curious george, big max, balloons.