Star of the Circus [Hardcover]

Michael Sampson (Author), Mary Beth Sampson (Author), Jose Aruego (Illustrator), Ariane Dewey (Author), Michael Samspon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1997 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Join Marvelous Mouse, Cannonball Cat, and a whole cast of circus animals as each proclaims himself or herself the star of the circus. The satisfying conclusion to the story shows all of the animals banding together to realize they are all stars of the circus.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1. A delightful story with a recurring pattern, told in only 28 words. Eight animals with alliterative names (Zany Zebra, Marvelous Mouse, Crazy Kangaroo, etc.) vie for circus stardom. In fact, each creature announces himself as the "star of the circus" only to be driven off the stage by a bigger and fiercer animal who claims the spot. In a clever and surprising conclusion, the smaller characters band together into a fearsome shadow creature and frighten Elegant Elephant off his pedestal. Readers will join in the exuberant laughter that follows his plea for help, and even Elegant Elephant sports a small smile when he realizes the trick. "We're all stars of the circus!" shout the animals in a very satisfying ending. Aruego and Dewey's characteristic vibrant pen-and-ink and gouache illustrations capture the spirit of the story and add to the pleasure. Each animal wiggles with personality in these pictures. The book will be fun to share with groups and will make a nice addition to the pattern books that are so important to beginning readers.?Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FL
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 3^-5. Marvelous Mouse says, "I'm the star of the circus!" but Cannonball Cat disagrees and asserts, "I'm the star of the circus!" This chant is repeated by Dazzling Dog, Crazy Kangaroo, Zany Zebra, Jazzy Giraffe, Big Bear, and Elegant Elephant, each one claiming superiority until, at last, they realize that there's strength in numbers and declare, "We are all stars of the circus." Just as dazzling, zany, and jazzy as the characters' names is the artwork, which features simple line drawings electrified with vibrant color combinations. The climax of the story happens in the illustrations, not in the text, a rare occurrence even in such a visual medium. Children will recognize the repeated sentiment from their own experiences with establishing pecking order. Although teachers and parents may see this as an antidote for one-up-manship among the younger crowd, preschoolers will appreciate it most as an appealing collaboration of words and text. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (March 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805042849
• ISBN-13: 978-0805042849
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 10.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,384,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Michael Sampson is a New York Times best selling author of 22 books for young children, including Chicka, Chicka, 1, 2, 3 and The Bill Martin Jr Big Book of Poetry. He has also written books on emergent literacy (The Pursuit of Literacy) and on literacy acquisition (Total Literacy: Reading, Writing, and Learning).

After teaching in the public schools, Sampson earned his Ph.D. in Reading at the University of Arizona, where he met and established a lifelong friendship and professional relationship with the late children's author and fellow literacy expert, Bill Martin, Jr. Together they wrote many popular books, including Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? and Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?

Today, Sampson travels the world, speaking at schools, book festivals, and conferences, where he is known for his high energy, entertaining performances.

Sampson lives in downtown St. Petersburg, where he teaches writing and research courses in the College of Education at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Learn more about Michael at www.michaelsampson.com and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Sampson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Star of the circus review, April 10, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Star of the Circus (Hardcover)

Star of the Circus By Michael Sampson Reading Level 1.3

If you are from ages 4 to 6, this is the right book for you! I think you should get this book because the illustrations are very creative and colorful. If you like circuses and animals you should get this book. A short description of the story is that it's about the different animals wanting to be the star of the circus.

5.0 out of 5 stars We Love Michael Sampson books!!!, July 11, 2006

By 

J. Zika "akiz4u" (italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Star of the Circus (Hardcover)

My children love Michael Sampson books. Michael came to their Elementary School and the kids and teachers just loved him. He will also send autographed books if you go to his website... This book is one of my favorites.....