Customer Reviews

Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo?

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When I handed the book to my four year old nephew, he responded, "Oh, it's just a book" as he chucked it to the side. A few minutes later I was able to have him sit with me while I showed him the pictures and read him the rhymes. He became captivated by the images and wanted to show everyone who was with us. He brought the book over to his grandmother so she could read it to him as well. The pictures are so beautiful that even the antsiest child will want to see what is next, while the adult sharing the book with the child is blown away by the artwork. This book is a complete hit!

Many books offer circus insights, but this WHO PUT THE BI N THE BALLYHOO is different: it uses the author's background in graphic design and advertising and pairs this with her interest in vintage circus advertisements to provide a colorful blend of full-page artistic posters describing circus acts with commentary on each circus legend. Kids will find it a colorful, fun survey of the circus atmosphere of yesterday.

Step right up and see the best children's book ever to captivate the minds and hearts of adults!

That is how the ballyhoo barker in Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo? might attract readers to this brilliant and colorful poster book by Carlyn Beccia.

While this book is presented as an alphabet book for grades 1-5, it is just as attractive and enjoyable as an adult's coffee table book. Beccia's posters represent the last 200 years of circus legends, along with humorous rhymes and fascinating historical information. It all made me forget that this is an alphabet book! It is more like a museum on the printed page. The collection of posters inside is a good introduction to circus history for anyone. My grandfather and father excitedly waited for the circus trains to come to town in eastern Ohio in the 19th and early 20th centuries. They met the train with their friends and helped set up the tents and care for the elephants, earning free tickets to the shows. Today, reading Beccia's book, I see part of what they experienced--and it is priceless.

This book contains so much intriguing material that I want to visit the circus museums in the United States and read the related Web sites. The content will likely move children in the same direction and increase their reading interests. Its posters and text describe the Strongman, the Bearded Lady, the Siamese Twins, Patty's Dancing Pigs, flea circuses, boxing kangaroos, tigers, elephants, parades, and acrobats that hang by their hair. It even shows The Flying Wallendas, whom I have seen on TV.

Carlyn Beccia is a talented children's book illustrator that stretched her talent to provide this entertaining volume. In it, she has included material from P.T. Barnum, four historical books about circus histories, an A & E Television Network special called Histories Mysteries: Circus Freaks and Sideshows, and The Dime Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.

Armchair Interviews says: Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo? is a priceless treat for readers of all ages and a collection that will become a classic to hand down through the generations.

A joy for ALL ages. The witty prose and amazing illustrations really pull the reader into the circus fantasy world. My nephews can't get enough of it!! I read that this is the author/illustrator's first book and I look forward to her next release! Simply delightful.

Great book, gorgeous illustrations! I have to admit, i actually bought this for myself under the premise of buying it for my daughter!! I am a keen illustrator for children and i really appreciate this womans talents! Great book...oh and my 4yr old loves it too!

Great book! Fun alphabet book for kids of all ages. The kids like to hear it with just the letters, and then with all of the interesting circus facts. It always feels like a new book, and has been a catalyst for much research and writing.

These old fashioned, clever illustrations and rich, bold colors took me back to when the circus was more intimate and it's characters were bizarre beyond belief!

It's the stuff you only see in "Ripleys" these days, so we tend to forget how exciting and exotic it was when the circus came to town!

Bravo Carlyn, for reminding us that the circus is so much more than just bright lights, clowns and cotton candy!!!

This book is high on my list for adults as well as children. As they always say before the show..."There's something for everyone under the big top!"

Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo? Beccia. Carlyn Beccia that is, put the "B" into Ballyhoo. Who Put the B in the Ballyhoo? brings back days of old when the only game in town entertainment wise was the circus. This is her first book and she is an award winning illustrator to boot. She has a wicked web site that is interactive laced with games and activities. So get your popcorn and retrograde yourself in time for Carlyn's Big Top extravaganza.
See also If I Ran the Circus (Classic Seuss)