Bix's Balloons

by Megan Duggan | Illustrated by Joana Pereira

This heartfelt story about a little dog with big emotions teaches children that every emotion matters.

Bix may be small, but his feelings are anything but! As he goes about his day—facing ups and downs, making new friends, and celebrating wins—bright, colorful balloons begin to appear. Each balloon represents a different emotion Bix is feeling, from happiness and pride to sadness and worry. Some rise, some sink, some stretch or pop… but all of them are important.

As Bix learns to notice, name, and understand his emotions, children are encouraged to embrace the variety of them—and that they never have to face those feelings alone.

Young readers will love this imaginative tale and its vibrant illustrations, encouraging emotional awareness while fostering creativity and friendship. It’s the perfect gift for any child learning how to understand themselves and others!

Reading Age: 4 to 6 years

Hardcover

$16.95 USD

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Megan Duggan is a freelance writer and lifelong storyteller. Bix’s Balloons is her first children’s book, written to help readers connect with their emotions and cultivate deeper friendships. Based in Colorado, she shares her adventures with her husband, their son, and Busy, a spirited rescue pup.

Joana Pereira fell in love with drawing at an early age. After graduating with her master’s degree from the University of Lisbon, she became a freelance illustrator and has illustrated more than 60 books. Joana lives in Portugal, where she is always looking for new challenges, new colors for her drawings, and is seeking to change the world with what she does.

“Elementary students will be drawn into Bix’s colorful doggie world and journey with him through his big feelings. They’ll discover that all feelings are ok to have and that it helps to talk about them with friends. An excellent read aloud choice for teachers and parents.”
—Sallianne Norelli, MS Ed, Founder of The Picture Book Library, author of The Fib, Elementary Teacher & School Librarian

“Bix’s Balloons beautifully shows children and their caregivers how to return to happiness and joy through connecting with others, accepting our feelings, and trying again when needed. In specifically naming a wide variety of feelings, validating associated states of confusion and even overwhelm along the way, it promotes the social emotional learning that is so important in successfully navigating our everyday lives. With bright and engaging illustrations, and enduring themes including hope, resilience, and the power of support, readers young and old will reach for Bix’s Balloons again and again.”
—Dr. Debbie Raphael, M.D., Double Board-Certified Child & Adult Psychiatrist and Author of Carry My Strength (Wiley, 2027)

“Bix’s Balloons does a beautiful job providing kids with a visual representation of how we carry, manage, and process all of the emotions we have throughout the day. My preschooler and rising 1st grader were able to track Bix’s highs and lows and step into their shoes thanks to the colored balloons and relatable scenarios. I’d highly recommend this book to parents wanting to help their kiddos better understand their emotions.”
—Brie Bonaparte, Administrative & Development Associate at WINGS for Kids

“…What is most captivating about this book is not only its vivid illustrations, but also its rich use of figurative language, from alliteration to onomatopoeia and personification…which further draws the reader in and brings the story to life.”
—Nwando Clyburn, Director of Learning Foundations at E3 Alliance Greater Austin Reading Coalition (GARC).

ISBN: 9781960616364, 1960616366
Published: July 14, 2026
Pages: 32 pages
Ages: 4 to 6 years
Format: Hardcover Picture Book
Dimension: 10 in H | 10 in W