Emily's Balloon tells the story of a small girl and her fleeting friendship with a yellow balloon. Before the balloon departs they spend the day together, playing in the sandpit, sharing dinner and looking at books.

Komako Sakai's stories echo her drawing style — gentle, warm and enchanting. One of the most popular children's illustrators in Japan, Sakai worked at a kimono textile design company before illustrating her first book. She is a recipient of the Japanese Picture Book Prize
 

Chronicle Books, 2003, Paperback, 44pages.