Tag: Judy Schachner

Picture Book List: 19 Fun Picture Books About the Circus

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Lists2 Comments

This next edition of an OPB “Bonus Monday” post is a list of picture books about the circus. And since I’m on a sabbatical, I’ve enlisted one of my kiddos to handle this post for me. Thanks for that, Valerie!

My dad asked me to answer this question. Why focus on the circus?

Here are three of many possible answers.

So, without further ado, let’s hit the big top!

The Acrobat by Alborozo (August 2013)

From Goodreads: “This is the story of an acrobat who leaves the circus in search of a new audience. He tries with all his best tricks to attract the attention of passers by, but no one is interested. Just when he’s about to give up all hope, something extraordinary happens to change his luck. Written and illustrated by a fresh new talent, this gentle and humorous story will appeal to everyone who loves a clown.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–8

Circus Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina (May 2004)

From Goodreads: “Pezzo, the hardworking peddler, is still selling caps in this delightful sequel to the beloved caps for sale. But what is that amusing performing elephant up to? And where have all Pezzo’s caps gone? Will Pezzo get them back? Esphyr Slobodkina’s classic artwork and timeless story are as endearing as ever in this new paperback edition.”

Pages: 48
Reading Age: 4–8

Circus Family Dog by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Sue Truesdell (April 2000)

From Goodreads: “Grumps is a circus dog who loves to make people laugh–all he has to do is lie down on the ground with his feet in the air and the crowds cheer and roar. But one day a new dog named Sparks joins the circus. Sparks can jump through hoops, balance a ball on his nose, and even ride on the back of a running zebra. How can an old dog with one simple trick compete with the likes of Sparks? Sue Truesdell’s exuberant illustrations capture all the excitement of circus life in this heartwarming story about friendship, family, and the universal need for acceptance.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 4–7

Circus in the Sky by Nancy Guettier (December 2013)

From Goodreads: “Circus in the Sky is a gorgeously illustrated tale of a little boy who believes he is the ringmaster of the night sky. Poetic and magical, it will inspire parents and kids to want to learn more of the universe and its wonders.”

Pages: 36
Reading Age: 5–6

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen (September 2009)

From Goodreads: “When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the poor animals are left on their own to swim the chilly waters. Staggering onto a nearby island, they soon win over the wary townspeople with their kind, courageous ways. So well do the critters blend in that when the greedy circus owner returns to claim them, villagers of all species conspire to outsmart the bloated blowhard. With buoyant rhymes and brilliantly caricatured illustrations evoking the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen presents a hugely entertaining tale about the bonds of community — and a rare hidden-​pictures spread for eagle-​eyed readers of all ages.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 2–5

Circus Train by Jennifer Cole Judd, illustrated by Melanie Matthews (March 2015)

From Goodreads: “Spotlights glow—let’s start the show! As the circus train rolls into town, excited children and their parents get in line for their chance to experience the Big Top. Clowns paint faces and people scurry to their seats. Then the show begins, wrapping readers in all the wonders of the circus. Dancing elephants, flipping trapeze artists, and pie-​throwing clowns captivate both young and old. Jennifer Cole Judd’s text is a treat for the ears with its simple, evocative rhymes, while Melanie Matthews’s delightful illustrations capture the fun and spectacle of the circus. Readers will be cheering, Encore! Encore!”

Pages: 24
Reading Age: 2–6

Clifford at the Circus by Norman Bridwell (January 1985)

From Goodreads: “The circus is in town, and everything is going wrong! Emily Elizabeth and Clifford offer to help. But after taming the lions, walking the tightrope and filling in for an elephant, Clifford no longer needs to save the circus—he needs to rescue Emily Elizabeth! See how they join the circus acts and work together to save the show—and the day!

Meet Clifford and Emily Elizabeth. Clifford is big. Clifford is red. But most of all, Clifford knows how to be a good friend! Like other dogs, Clifford sometimes chases cars; unlike other dogs, Clifford catches them. Like other dogs, Clifford digs in the garden; but while other dogs may dig up a few flowers, Clifford can dig up a whole tree. Also like other dogs, Clifford chases cats—big cats, like lions! When Clifford messes up, he messes up big time!”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7

Dad Runs Away with the Circus by Etgar Keret, illustrated by Rutu Modan (August 2004)

From Goodreads: “Dad demonstrates that it’s never too late to shine in the spotlight in this quirky book about following your dreams.

“The circus is in town!” Dad roared.
“And we’re all going to see it!”

Audrey and Zach are still half-​asleep — and can’t help stifling yawns — when Dad bursts in with his announcement. Dad is so excited, he starts practicing daring stunts before they even leave for the show. Under the big top, Dad’s enthusiasm is downright embarrassing, and Audrey and Zach suspect it has something to do with the generation gap. But even they could never guess just how carried away their dad is going to get! With striking graphic artwork by one of Israel’s top illustrators and comic-​book artists — splendidly showcased in a double gatefold spread — an acclaimed Israeli author brings his talents to the world of picture books for the first time.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 5 & up

The Farmer and the Clown by Marla Frazee (September 2014)

From Goodreads: “Whimsical and touching images tell the story of an unexpected friendship and the revelations it inspires in this moving, wordless picture book from two-​time Caldecott Honor medalist Marla Frazee.

A baby clown is separated from his family when he accidentally bounces off their circus train and lands in a lonely farmer’s vast, empty field. The farmer reluctantly rescues the little clown, and over the course of one day together, the two of them make some surprising discoveries about themselves—and about life!

Sweet, funny, and moving, this wordless picture book from a master of the form and the creator of The Boss Baby speaks volumes and will delight story lovers of all ages.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss (January 1986)

From Goodreads: “Step right up for Dr. Seuss’s classic rhyming picture-​book tale of young Morris McGurk’s big circus dreams. This circus has more than a mere lion tamer and trapeze artist! At the Circus McGurkus, you’ll be intrigued by the wink-​hooded Hoodwink, terrified by the Spotted Atrocious, and amazed by the daring feats of the great Sneelock. And these are just a few of the astonishing things you’ll find under this big top. Told with the humor and originality that are synonymous with Dr. Seuss, If I Ran the Circus is a crowd-​pleasing showstopper!”

Pages: 72
Reading Age: 1–4

Last Night I Dreamed a Circus by Maya Gottfried, illustrated by Robert Rahway Zakanitch (January 2003)

From Goodreads: “Many children dream of going to the circus, but our narrator dreams herself right into the act. She is the graceful horseback rider and the clown. The daring trapeze artist and the dancing dog. The contortionist and the roaring lion.
These stars of the circus are depicted in splendid, dramatic portraits by noted watercolorist Robert Rahway Zakanitch. Each vividly colored performer is set against a black background that invokes both a life in the spotlight and the focused landscape of dreams. Poetic and spare, the text invites readers to extend the story in their own imaginations–in their own circus dreams.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

Little Pearl’s Circus World by Charmain Zimmerman Brackett (November 2014)

From Goodreads: “Little Pearl started performing with her father’s circus when she was 4 years-​old. Join Pearl for a day in her world.”

Pages: 28
Reading Age: 3–6

Lola the Lollipop Fairy by Tim Bugbird, illustrated by Lara Ede (February 2022)

From Goodreads: “Lola the Lollipop Fairy is an amazing circus performer! The lollipop fairies have a good time performing for their fellow fairies and their show has always been very popular. But disaster looms for Lola’s circus when a rival entertainment park comes to town and threatens the fairies’ future. Find out what happens as Lola works hard to create a dazzling show that will amaze their audience and make their circus popular again.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer (October 2001)

From Goodreads: “Step into the ring with Olivia, where the lights are dim, the color soft, and a little girl’s imagination is the main attraction.

Olivia remembers her trip to the circus very well. The performers were out sick, so she had to do everything. She…

-rode on a unicycle
‑jumped on a trampoline
‑juggled five balls!
‑tamed lions
‑and flew through the air.”

Pages: 44
Reading Age: 2–5

Sandy’s Circus by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Boris Kulikov (September 2008)

From Goodreads: “As a boy, Alexander (Sandy) Calder was always fiddling with odds and ends, making objects for friends. When he got older and became an artist, his fiddling led him to create wire sculptures. One day, Sandy made a lion. Next came a lion cage. Before he knew it, he had an entire circus and was traveling between Paris and New York performing a brand-​new kind of art for amazed audiences. This is the story of Sandy?s Circus, as told by Tanya Lee Stone with Boris Kulikov?s spectacular and innovative illustrations. Calder?s original circus is on permanent display at the Whitney Museum in New York City.”

Pages: 40
Reading Age: 6–8

The Secret Circus by Johanna Wright (March 2009)

From Goodreads: “THE GREATEST little show ON EARTH

The secrets of Paris revealed from the ground up.

Beneath the sparkling lights of Paris is a circus so secret that only the mice know how to find it. Floating by balloon across a Parisian cityscape they travel to the grand performance, where tiny acrobats form mouse pyramids and giant housecats are tamed. Wright’s simple expressive lines over glowing textures make this a captivating and adorable book debut, not to mention one great show.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 2–6

Sidewalk Circus by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes (May 2007)

From Goodreads: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls! Step right up and witness an astounding assemblage of tightrope walkers, strong men, sword swallowers, and clowns. The Garibaldi Circus is coming soon, but for those with clear eyes, the performers may already be in the ring. So get ready to sharpen your vision and look very closely — a show like you’ve never seen is about to begin! The creators of WESLANDIA are back in the spotlight with a spectacular, wordless picture book that shows the transformative power of imagination.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 5–9

Skippyjon Jones: Cirque de Olé by Judy Schachner (October 2012)

From Goodreads: “In his newest adventure, the irresistible Skippyjon Jones swings out of his closet and into the spectacular Cirque de Olé, where his pals, the Chimichango gang, perform feats of derring-​do. There are many acts to see, but only Skippito the Strong can perform the trickiest stunt of all. Judy Schachner’s vivacious art and riotous text make for mucho read-​aloud fun.

Come one, come all–with Skippyjon Jones as the circus star, the Greatest Show on Earth just got even better!”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–6

Your First Day of Circus School by Tara Lazar, illustrated by Melissa Crowton (May 2022)

From Goodreads: “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages! It’s the most amazing day on earth: the first day of school! It can be a daunting prospect, but don’t worry — your big brother can show you the ropes. Join a nervous boy and his enthusiastic older brother as they navigate the highs and lows of a first day at school … except this school is a big top, and the teacher is named Miss Stupendous, and the cafeteria can be a zoo, literally! It turns out, school isn’t so scary when you can let off steam during recess (on a steam train) and walk on stilts to all of your classes. With a bit of help from family and some new friends, you’ll make it to the top of the class in no time! This charming take on school readiness will delight new school-​goers and take a bit of the fear out of those first-​day jitters.”

Pages: 32
Reading Age: 3–7

Picture Book Review: Stretchy and Beanie by Judy Schachner

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews
Author: Judy Schachner
Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Dial Books for Young Readers
2 November 2021
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and longtime OPB friend (and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor) John Herzog.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

We all know Judy Schachner as the author/​illustrator of the terrific Skippyjon Jones series, so the expectations for her work are quite reasonably pretty high. Does this sequel to the picture book Stretchy McHandsome hit that mark? Let’s see!

At the beginning of Stretchy and Beanie, the McHandsome cat clan met the McBright human clan, so every McBright kid suddenly had the opportunity to become a pet owner. Beanie felt a deep connection with Stretchy the cat, and not just because they shared the same eye color (one green and one blue). In rhyming quatrains, readers learn how the new pair explored ways of getting along with each other. Things were “glorious.” At first.

Then Beanie “got the bright idea /​ to raise a perfect pet. /​ Even read a big best seller /​ on how she could, and yet…” Anyone who’s ever had a cat knows what’s coming next.  You can’t make a cat do things that the cat doesn’t want to do. And Stretchy isn’t into Beanie’s silly math, music, and dance lessons. Wearing a harness? No, thank you! So, Stretchy fought back by climbing the drapes and peeing on the carpet.

Still, Beanie kept over-​snuggling and kissing him! Ugh! Stretchy did his best to avoid her, but he finally had had enough. The door was left ajar, so off he fled. The point-​of-​view then shifts to a feline perspective, with Stretchy worrying about who’d bring him dinner, brush his fur, or listen to him purr. Those concerns are what finally get the runaway cat to come down from his hiding spot up in a tree. That, plus a fire truck and two bags of snacks.

The introduction of a first-​person narrator in the final few pages was quite a surprise. Another thing in the surprising category is some of the word choices, such as “caused our lad to hiss,” where the “our lad” feels at odds with the kid-​appropriate language found in much of the rest of the story (“squeezy squishes” and how Stretchy thought of birds as “little flying snacks”).  The “’twas” and “Ol’ Binney” also seems overly poetic and a bit old-fashioned.

The lesson for Beanie–and readers–is to have “patience, love, and kindness” for others, feline or not. And no one likes bossy people, period. Yet Beanie doesn’t learn this lesson because when Stretchy finally comes down, she gives him a “smushy hug and kiss” which is exactly what the cat hates most. The text alleviates this concern a little by saying that she hasn’t yet learned to be gentle with pets, so one might assume she will learn it eventually, but do parents and teachers want characters to change for the better by the end of a story? Do they need clearer evidence of the positive change that so many picture books promise? One might argue that Beanie remains the same, which explains the final spread, where Stretchy is once again tearing up the curtains.

The McBrights are as diverse as the cats they embrace, and one of the children even uses a wheelchair. Those are definite positives. And the art is quite interesting throughout. It really matches the text quite well. There’s much to like in this new book.

In sum, Stretchy and Beanie is lighthearted enough to undercut much of the serious material here, and Shachner’s incredibly bendy cat images are loads of fun. Cat lovers and fans of Shachner’s other titles will likely find this book to be adorable.

4.25 out of 5 pencils

 

–John’s Review of the Illustrations–

There’s an interesting trend that I’ve noticed in the kidlit world over the last few years that I have very strong feelings about. For obvious reasons, I will not name names here, but I’ve noticed that there is a group of illustrators out there who try to draw the way that kids draw–or at least the way they think kids draw.

These illustrators purposefully get anatomy wrong, simplifying in a way that feels kid-​like on the surface, but really isn’t because it lacks any kind of heart or soul. As a result, there is a cynical, condescending feeling to the work. Oftentimes, these illustrators are drawing well below their ability. But because they’re illustrating for kids, they feel that they have to extract any kind of sophistication and “dumb it down” for the audience. And sometimes, an illustrator lacking in observational and drawing skills hides behind this “style” to cover for the fact that they can’t draw very well.

I won’t lie to you: I hate this trend. It diminishes the entire medium. It underestimates the audience. And, more egregiously, it talks down to and belittles them. Kids are often smarter than we give them credit for.

Now, you may be asking, what does this have to do with Judy Schachner’s lovely Stretchy and Beanie? Well, after reading this book with my little boy and seeing his delighted reaction to both the rhythmic words and engaging pictures, I found myself genuinely contemplating why the illustrations in this book work so well for both a five-​year-​old and a forty-year-old.

I eventually came to this conclusion: Schachner’s love for the medium and the audience shines through in a way that is both accessible and enjoyable. While the illustrations don’t exactly look like a kid drew them, they embody the spirit of how a kid would illustrate a book like this. The little details coupled with swathes of bright, vibrant color reminded me of how I would draw as a kid, and the little things I would pick up on and include.

And speaking of color, this book? This book is an absolute masterclass when it comes to color. Bright oranges mixed with teals, reds, and purples… This is a book I will be referring to for years just so I can soak in the color palette.

Regarding the story, it’s interesting how Stretchy serves as a kind of mirror reflection of Beanie. With Beanie’s insistence on Stretchy being the perfect pet, it made me wonder if Beanie had someone in her life who was insisting on her being the perfect kid. It felt like a bit of a missed opportunity to explore that aspect more, but that is a minor criticism.

Reflected beautifully here is the way that kids tend to draw, without all of the pandering and cynicism. There is heart and soul aplenty here, and with Stretchy and Beanie, Schachner continues to prove that she is one of the best illustrators working today.

4.75 out of 5 crayons

John Herzog is an award-​winning illustrator and educator. 

His clients include Hasbro, Dreamworks TV, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Scholastic, and Highlights for Children. He also teaches illustration classes at Ringling College of Art and Design.

John is a member of the National Cartoonists Society and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where he received the 2018 SCBWI Magazine Merit Award for his Highlights High Five cover illustration. He lives in Florida with his wife, two kids, a pair of geckos, a bearded dragon, and a tarantula.