Customer Reviews

Song of the Circus

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a terrific children's book! The writing is both whimsical (the tiger "doesn't like the food at the circus" so he chases the two circus kids) and rhythmic. The illustrations complement the author's sense of humor. My son thought a book about a tiger chase was "awesome, mom!" We read a lot of books around our house and this is by far one of my favorites.

My four year old daughter and I checked this book out from our local library, and it was love at first read. The language is rhythmic and poetic (fantastic for reading aloud), and the story is lively and engaging. The book tells the story of two children raised in the circus. When a ferocious tiger escapes his cage, it looks as if one or both will be eaten--but not these brave children! They tell the tiger to stop and obey the laws of the circus (like not eating people), and, obediently, he stops and returns to his lair because "you don't mess around with that kind of kid." The story is empowering for young readers, emphasizing bravery in the face of adversity and manners in the midst of chaos. My daughter wants to check it out again at every library trip, so I've just bought her her very own copy.

This book about a "terrible day at the circus" is one of the wittiest, most intelligent children's books I've ever read. The rhythm of the lines is beautiful; the rhymes are natural; the story is intriguing. Our now 3-year-old has been enjoying it for about 9 months now, and still asks for it constantly... esp. after a trip to the circus!