PreSchool-Grade 2. In this paean to a child's imagination, delightful realistic paintings in oils and pencil provide the crux of the story, which is assisted by a spritely text with a wry and straight-faced tone. It's a perfectly ordinary day on the farm where Ben lives with his aunts, Ginny and Gert?until Uncle Julius comes to visit. Julius manages a circus and the whole shebang?wagons, performers, and animals?troop over the hill for a two-day stay. "No problem!" Ben responds when his uncle asks him to keep an eye on things. After all, Ben takes care of the whole farm. Could a circus be any harder? Well, two unforgettable days ensue with friends and neighbors and folks from town coming to partake of the excitement. When the troupe packs up and leaves for Bakersfield, Ben thinks, "It hasn't been the same since Uncle Julius's Two-Ring Extravaganza left our farm." And it never will be the same again. Animals and people radiate charm and humor and vibrant joviality; their ridiculous situations and actions provide perfect fantasy in a totally believable manner. A storytime natural.?Virginia Opocensky, formerly at Lincoln City Libraries, NE
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
It's just another day on the farm for Ben and his pig, Clarence, until Uncle Julius arrives with his Two-Ring Extravaganza. Julius, anxious to gab with his sisters, Aunt Gert and Aunt Ginny, leaves Ben in charge; the boy takes his duties seriously, but his pig, Clarence, starts showing off his balancing act and other circus feats (``By gosh, for a domestic, that pig has talent!'' marvels Uncle Julius). Gradually the whole town gets involved, gawking at the fire-eating and snake- charming; Aunt Gert and Aunt Ginny take a turn as daredevils, a heretofore undiscovered pair of talents in Ben's eyes. ``Who do you think taught me how to run a circus?'' whispers Uncle Julius. This big-hearted, eight-cylinder story is full of outlandish touches as the rollicking artwork keeps pace with the quick- moving text. The oil paintings make hay with such mighty contrasts as monkeys in the feed store, and a pig on a tightrope. Great fun. (Picture book. 4-7) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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