The first hot air balloon ride took place on September 19, 1783, launched from the palace of Versailles in France. There were three passengers in the balloon’s basket: a duck, a sheep, and a rooster. Those are the only facts you can believe in this fanciful picture book that illustrates what might have happened on their eight-minute, two-mile journey as Marjorie Priceman’s imagination takes off right along with the barnyard passengers of that historic event. Panels and pictures on each two-page spread show the wide and sometimes wild-eyed animals as the trio is alternately delighted by the experience and besieged by a series of mishaps involving windblown laundry, divebombing birds, and other unexpected hazards. Priceman’s use of facial expressions and varied perspectives are delightful as her trio ascends—and descends—its way into history. (Ages 5–8)