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Give your child more than a good book—

Give them a message and a mission to believe in — A role model who shows what’s possible when you believe in yourself!

Vintage typewriter decorated with purple and pink flowers, isolated on a black background.

Book cover titled 'My Hot Air Balloon' by Shelby Ponsole featuring a hot air balloon floating through a colorful galaxy full of stars and swirling clouds.

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A colorful badge with a gradient background of pink, purple, and peach. In the center, there is a white check mark inside a square outline, with the words "Vote Now" written in a circular pattern around it.

A young girl with brown hair smiling, wearing a colorful polka dot dress, holding a children's book about hot air balloons. The background features a blue sky with clouds, balloons, and a hot air balloon.

Vote Shelby for Best Local Author in NOCO!

At just 11 years old, Shelby is inspiring readers across Northern Colorado with her debut children’s book, My Hot Air Balloon! She's on the ballot for Best of NOCO — and she needs your vote to soar to the top. Click the link below to support this amazing young author and help show that anything is possible with some positivity (and a hot air balloon)!

VOTE FOR SHELBY!

Anything is possible -> All you need is some positivity and a Hot Air Balloon!

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Open children's book showing an illustration of a girl in a black dress with colorful spots, holding a string attached to a moon-shaped balloon in a starry night sky.

From imagination
to impact—

My Hot Air Balloon is the debut children’s book written by a bright and imaginative fifth grader eager to make an impact through her writing. This uplifting story reminds kids (and grown-ups!) that anything is possible with some positivity… and maybe a hot air balloon.

About the Author

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Grab a seat and hit play—Shelby made this book trailer herself to give you a peek into the magical world she created (with a little help from her vintage typewriter, her mom, and of course her imagination).

✨ Positivity, adventure, and a hot air balloon await...

🎬 Ready for liftoff?

About the Author

The Young Dreamer with a Vintage Soul

Watercolor illustration of a starry night sky with dark clouds at the top, purple and pink hues, and twinkling stars.

Digital painting of a young girl with long brown hair, blue eyes, and a black polka-dotted top, smiling with a cheerful expression. She is surrounded by a galactic, starry background with the word "Hello!" written at the bottom.

Shelby is a bright and ambitious fifth grader with a heart as big as her dreams. Whether it's tapping away on her beloved vintage typewriter or diving into the pages of a detective mystery, she's always creating, imagining, and chasing new ideas. A true storyteller, Shelby loves writing poems and novels, weaving words into worlds that captivate and inspire.

Her passions extend beyond the written page. She's fascinated by history, enjoys unraveling mysteries, and treasures every trip with her family, especially to the museums of Washington, D.C. With a deep love for all things vintage, she finds beauty in the past while dreaming of the future—one where she becomes both a celebrated author and the President of the United States.

Text saying, 'The power of a positive mindset' on a purple background with a light blue highlight behind the words 'a positive'.

A positive message your child can carry with them.

Shelby's adventurous spirit shines through her writing, especially in her piece "My Hot Air Balloon," which she wrote to audition for her fifth-grade talent show. Not only was she chosen to perform, but her story became a crowd favorite, encouraging young readers to embrace adventure and the unknown with courage and excitement!

Pink vintage typewriter with two hands typing on the keys.

Book cover titled 'My Hot Air Balloon' by Shelby Ponsolle featuring an illustration of a hot air balloon floating through a colorful galaxy with swirling nebulae and stars.

A watercolor illustration of a starry night sky with dark blue and purple clouds at the top and a light blue background at the bottom.

A positive message your child can carry with them.

With two loyal dogs by her side and a heart set on making a difference, Shelby leads her life with passion and purpose. She believes in chasing dreams, seizing opportunities, and embracing every adventure that comes her way.

Her motto? "Be an achiever" - Stay hungry for adventure and all the opportunities that present themselves!