Peter Spier's Circus

In one of his best picture books--and one that can be enjoyed equally by kids and their parents--Spier portrays in ink and watercolor illo's and words that don't talk down the people and workings of a travelling circus based upon the well-known Big Apple. He shows us how it sets up (by night), who its people are and where they come from (the performers hail from such lands as Japan, France, Holland, Italy, New Zealand, Hungary, Germany, China, Spain--and the U.S.), and something of how they live when they're not working, and follows a typical performance from the Great Parade to the Grand Finale. For anyone who's ever thrilled to a circus (from Barnum & Bailey on down) and wondered what it would be like to live "on" one, this book is a must-have.

Although the illustrations are a little busy for my taste, the details guarantee that a child would find something new to "read" to you--time and time again.

Of the 100 children's circus books in our library, this is the best. We just had to have our own copy. It helps a child know what to expect and what to look for at the circus and to understand what goes on behind the scenes. After the show we remember more when we reread the book. The story is engaging and the pictures are delightfully detailed.

My kids love this book. It is beautifully illustrated, with very detailed drawings that draw children into the scenes. The story is enchanting for little ones and introduces them not only to the circus but also to how people work, different countries in the world and different people. Lots of animals, clowns, acrobats and a human cannonball will keep your little ones's attention glued to the book. One of the best loved children's books in our house.

This is my brothers absolute favorite book. The detail in the pictures is unbelivable. This is a must for every childs book shelf