{"id":8444603847,"title":"You See a Circus, I See...","handle":"you-see-a-circus","description":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/mike-downs\" title=\"Mike Downs Bio\"\u003eMike Downs\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anik-mcgrory\" title=\"Anik McGrory's Bio\"\u003eAnik McGrory\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe circus is here!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA young acrobat shows his friends around the big top, but all is not as it seems. His uncle, the strongman, always manages to lose their wrestling matches. The scary-looking tattooed man is a regular Joe who likes to pull funny practical jokes. And the daring trapeze artists make their son do homework just like everyday parents! Lively watercolors capture the excitement of the circus and the coziness of home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Poodle and Hound\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/poodle-and-hound\"\u003ePoodle and Hound\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Raj the Bookstore Tiger\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/raj-the-bookstore-tiger\"\u003eRaj the Bookstore Tiger\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca title=\"Little Pig Joins the Band\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/little-pig-joins-the-band\"\u003eLittle Pig Joins the Band\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/you-see-a-circus-spread.jpg?3606267379772616704\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMike Downs, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMike Downs has written several books for children including \u003cem\u003ePig Giggles\u003c\/em\u003e (Chronicle Books) and \u003cem\u003eThe Noisy Airplane\u003c\/em\u003e (Tricycle Press). Mike lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/mike-downs\" title=\"Mike Downs' Bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Mike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnik McGrory, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnik McGrory has illustrated several children's books including \u003cem\u003eAnimals Asleep\u003c\/em\u003e (Houghton Mifflin) and \u003cem\u003eThe Monty Books\u003c\/em\u003e series (Candlewick Press). Anik lives in Westchester County, New York, with her family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anik-mcgrory\" title=\"Anik McGrory's Bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Anik.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this intriguingly original and elegantly rendered story, a boy acrobat in a traveling circus introduces two young visitors to the real people behind the glamorous personae. \"You see trapeze artists,\" he tells the children, as they gaze in wonder at two tiny figures twirling high above them. \"Two acrobats in snazzy tights\/Soar overhead while chased by lights.\" Turning the page, readers learn that when the boy looks at the pair, \"I see my parents\/...\/when we're off to have some fun,\/They still make sure my homework's done.\" In one of her many fluid, delicately washed watercolors, McGrory (Mouton's Impossible Dream) shows the boy and his mother taking a break from aerial work and huddling over an assignment; although the pair faces away from the audience, their demeanor will seem instantly familiar--they could as easily be sitting at a kitchen table instead of casually balanced on a trapeze. As Downs (Pig Giggles and Rabbit Rhymes) points out similar examples--the raucous clown is a bookworm, the hulking strongman doubles as the narrator's playful, beloved uncle--his rhymes don't always fly through the air with the greatest of ease. But no matter: McGrory's illustrations eloquently express both the exoticism of life \"beneath a three-ringed dome,\" and the cozy, if offbeat, domesticity of the backstage world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaking the point that circus performers are people too, a lad introduces two young visitors to several associates, including the strongman, the lion tamer, a juggler, and two trapeze artists--who are also his uncle, his tutor, his best friend, and his parents, respectively. And the guide himself? He's also part of the show! Downs writes adequate if not sparkling verse (\"It's fun to be an acrobat, \/ But I work hard to do my act. \/ I have to practice hours each day \/ to ride my horse this special way\"), which is considerably heightened by McGrory's splashy scenes of exciting performances and excited spectators against a big top background. Pair this with similar behind-the-scenes tours, such as Andrew Clements' \u003cem\u003eCircus Family Dog\u003c\/em\u003e (2000), or Ralph Fletcher's \u003cem\u003eCircus Surprise\u003c\/em\u003e (2001).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep right up! A young boy introduces readers to both the stars of the circus and the members of his extended family. \"You see a strong man.\/Solid as stone, strong as a bear,\/Muscles bulging everywhere...\/I see my uncle.\/He picks up with just once arm\/And tells me I'm his lucky charm.\" The pictures are great fun as the boy stands triumphantly on his uncle's vanquished form or when he surprises his not-so-fearless teacher who doubles as the lion tamer. McGrory's watercolors delight with shadowy washes of the audience behind the lively scenes in the spotlight and amusing details everywhere. Team this up with Paul Fleischman's \u003cem\u003eSidewalk Circus\u003c\/em\u003e (Candlewick) and Crockett Johnson's \u003cem\u003eHarold's Circus\u003c\/em\u003e (HarperCollins) for the Greatest Show, er story hour, on Earth!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/you-see-a-circus-cvr.jpg?2075\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/you-see-a-circus-hires.zip?760\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-155-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-019-5 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-6\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2016-08-10T15:32:00-04:00","created_at":"2016-08-10T13:22:25-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Art\/Music\/Theater","Browse by Subject_Early Childhood","Browse by Subject_Humor","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":795,"price_min":795,"price_max":795,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":27211132935,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"91554","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"You See a Circus, I See... - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":795,"weight":159,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-58089-155-4","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/you-see-a-circus-cover.jpg?v=1586807594"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/you-see-a-circus-cover.jpg?v=1586807594","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"You See a Circus, I See... book cover","id":5805114556495,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/you-see-a-circus-cover.jpg?v=1586807594"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/you-see-a-circus-cover.jpg?v=1586807594","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/mike-downs\" title=\"Mike Downs Bio\"\u003eMike Downs\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anik-mcgrory\" title=\"Anik McGrory's Bio\"\u003eAnik McGrory\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe circus is here!\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA young acrobat shows his friends around the big top, but all is not as it seems. His uncle, the strongman, always manages to lose their wrestling matches. The scary-looking tattooed man is a regular Joe who likes to pull funny practical jokes. And the daring trapeze artists make their son do homework just like everyday parents! Lively watercolors capture the excitement of the circus and the coziness of home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Poodle and Hound\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/poodle-and-hound\"\u003ePoodle and Hound\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Raj the Bookstore Tiger\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/raj-the-bookstore-tiger\"\u003eRaj the Bookstore Tiger\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca title=\"Little Pig Joins the Band\" href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/little-pig-joins-the-band\"\u003eLittle Pig Joins the Band\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/you-see-a-circus-spread.jpg?3606267379772616704\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMike Downs, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMike Downs has written several books for children including \u003cem\u003ePig Giggles\u003c\/em\u003e (Chronicle Books) and \u003cem\u003eThe Noisy Airplane\u003c\/em\u003e (Tricycle Press). Mike lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/mike-downs\" title=\"Mike Downs' Bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Mike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnik McGrory, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnik McGrory has illustrated several children's books including \u003cem\u003eAnimals Asleep\u003c\/em\u003e (Houghton Mifflin) and \u003cem\u003eThe Monty Books\u003c\/em\u003e series (Candlewick Press). Anik lives in Westchester County, New York, with her family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/anik-mcgrory\" title=\"Anik McGrory's Bio\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Anik.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this intriguingly original and elegantly rendered story, a boy acrobat in a traveling circus introduces two young visitors to the real people behind the glamorous personae. \"You see trapeze artists,\" he tells the children, as they gaze in wonder at two tiny figures twirling high above them. \"Two acrobats in snazzy tights\/Soar overhead while chased by lights.\" Turning the page, readers learn that when the boy looks at the pair, \"I see my parents\/...\/when we're off to have some fun,\/They still make sure my homework's done.\" In one of her many fluid, delicately washed watercolors, McGrory (Mouton's Impossible Dream) shows the boy and his mother taking a break from aerial work and huddling over an assignment; although the pair faces away from the audience, their demeanor will seem instantly familiar--they could as easily be sitting at a kitchen table instead of casually balanced on a trapeze. As Downs (Pig Giggles and Rabbit Rhymes) points out similar examples--the raucous clown is a bookworm, the hulking strongman doubles as the narrator's playful, beloved uncle--his rhymes don't always fly through the air with the greatest of ease. But no matter: McGrory's illustrations eloquently express both the exoticism of life \"beneath a three-ringed dome,\" and the cozy, if offbeat, domesticity of the backstage world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaking the point that circus performers are people too, a lad introduces two young visitors to several associates, including the strongman, the lion tamer, a juggler, and two trapeze artists--who are also his uncle, his tutor, his best friend, and his parents, respectively. And the guide himself? He's also part of the show! Downs writes adequate if not sparkling verse (\"It's fun to be an acrobat, \/ But I work hard to do my act. \/ I have to practice hours each day \/ to ride my horse this special way\"), which is considerably heightened by McGrory's splashy scenes of exciting performances and excited spectators against a big top background. Pair this with similar behind-the-scenes tours, such as Andrew Clements' \u003cem\u003eCircus Family Dog\u003c\/em\u003e (2000), or Ralph Fletcher's \u003cem\u003eCircus Surprise\u003c\/em\u003e (2001).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStep right up! A young boy introduces readers to both the stars of the circus and the members of his extended family. \"You see a strong man.\/Solid as stone, strong as a bear,\/Muscles bulging everywhere...\/I see my uncle.\/He picks up with just once arm\/And tells me I'm his lucky charm.\" The pictures are great fun as the boy stands triumphantly on his uncle's vanquished form or when he surprises his not-so-fearless teacher who doubles as the lion tamer. McGrory's watercolors delight with shadowy washes of the audience behind the lively scenes in the spotlight and amusing details everywhere. Team this up with Paul Fleischman's \u003cem\u003eSidewalk Circus\u003c\/em\u003e (Candlewick) and Crockett Johnson's \u003cem\u003eHarold's Circus\u003c\/em\u003e (HarperCollins) for the Greatest Show, er story hour, on Earth!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/you-see-a-circus-cvr.jpg?2075\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/you-see-a-circus-hires.zip?760\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-155-4\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eE-book\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-60734-019-5 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 3-6\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

You See a Circus, I See...

By: Mike Downs / Illustrated by: Anik McGrory

The circus is here!

A young acrobat shows his friends around the big top, but all is not as it seems. His uncle, the strongman, always manages to lose their wrestling matches. The scary-looking tattooed man is a regular Joe who likes to pull funny practical jokes. And the daring trapeze artists make their son do homework just like everyday parents! Lively watercolors capture the excitement of the circus and the coziness of home.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Mike Downs, author

Mike Downs has written several books for children including Pig Giggles (Chronicle Books) and The Noisy Airplane (Tricycle Press). Mike lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with his family.

Read more about Mike.


Anik McGrory, illustrator

Anik McGrory has illustrated several children's books including Animals Asleep (Houghton Mifflin) and The Monty Books series (Candlewick Press). Anik lives in Westchester County, New York, with her family.

Read more about Anik.

  • Coming soon!

Publishers Weekly

In this intriguingly original and elegantly rendered story, a boy acrobat in a traveling circus introduces two young visitors to the real people behind the glamorous personae. "You see trapeze artists," he tells the children, as they gaze in wonder at two tiny figures twirling high above them. "Two acrobats in snazzy tights/Soar overhead while chased by lights." Turning the page, readers learn that when the boy looks at the pair, "I see my parents/.../when we're off to have some fun,/They still make sure my homework's done." In one of her many fluid, delicately washed watercolors, McGrory (Mouton's Impossible Dream) shows the boy and his mother taking a break from aerial work and huddling over an assignment; although the pair faces away from the audience, their demeanor will seem instantly familiar--they could as easily be sitting at a kitchen table instead of casually balanced on a trapeze. As Downs (Pig Giggles and Rabbit Rhymes) points out similar examples--the raucous clown is a bookworm, the hulking strongman doubles as the narrator's playful, beloved uncle--his rhymes don't always fly through the air with the greatest of ease. But no matter: McGrory's illustrations eloquently express both the exoticism of life "beneath a three-ringed dome," and the cozy, if offbeat, domesticity of the backstage world.

Booklist

Making the point that circus performers are people too, a lad introduces two young visitors to several associates, including the strongman, the lion tamer, a juggler, and two trapeze artists--who are also his uncle, his tutor, his best friend, and his parents, respectively. And the guide himself? He's also part of the show! Downs writes adequate if not sparkling verse ("It's fun to be an acrobat, / But I work hard to do my act. / I have to practice hours each day / to ride my horse this special way"), which is considerably heightened by McGrory's splashy scenes of exciting performances and excited spectators against a big top background. Pair this with similar behind-the-scenes tours, such as Andrew Clements' Circus Family Dog (2000), or Ralph Fletcher's Circus Surprise (2001).

School Library Journal

Step right up! A young boy introduces readers to both the stars of the circus and the members of his extended family. "You see a strong man./Solid as stone, strong as a bear,/Muscles bulging everywhere.../I see my uncle./He picks up with just once arm/And tells me I'm his lucky charm." The pictures are great fun as the boy stands triumphantly on his uncle's vanquished form or when he surprises his not-so-fearless teacher who doubles as the lion tamer. McGrory's watercolors delight with shadowy washes of the audience behind the lively scenes in the spotlight and amusing details everywhere. Team this up with Paul Fleischman's Sidewalk Circus (Candlewick) and Crockett Johnson's Harold's Circus (HarperCollins) for the Greatest Show, er story hour, on Earth!

Paperback
ISBN: 978-1-58089-155-4

E-book
ISBN: 978-1-60734-019-5

Ages: 3-6
Page count: 32
9 x 9