A Tiger Took Me to the Circus (out of print) written
and illustrated by Marjorie van Heerden. Alexia really wants to visit the circus,
but she is not well enough to go. Later that same night her cat turns into a
tiger and carries her to the show. Alexia has a wonderful time and is even
allowed into the ring to help with the acts. In the morning, Alexia and her cat
are curled up asleep in bed. The only sign of their night time adventure is a
red balloon floating above the bed.
Tuck's Annual 1950 full of Star Turns! First
story "Learning to Ride" by Elizabeth Anderson illustrated by Lionel
Edwards, also contains flight to Cairo
by Uncle Mac and Fortune's fool by Harold Napier. The Circus Comes to Town by Denis Constanduros with illustrations by John Kenney. A Ladybird book published c1957. Sammy the Shunter No 2 Sammy goes to the circus by Eileen Gibb, undated c1960s.
Rupert and Edward at the Circus undated c1973. Rupert Little Bear Library No. 4. Contains two stories - Rupert and
Edward at the circus and Rupert and the birthday cake. Carol with the circus by Berenice E Lea,
published in 1969. Carol and her Dad are
travelling with the MacNeill Circus because Carol's Dad looks after the
animals. The circus comes to school by Syliva Little with illustrations by GilbertDunlop. The news that Manor School
is about to close comes as something of a bomb-shell. It's particularly
upsetting for Fran and Judy because they will be sent to new schools and lose
touch with Menha, the Indian girl. The arrival of Potter's Magnificent
World-Famous Circus and Banda the elephant provides the solution to all their
problems. Rupert and Edward at the circus,
The adventures of Goopy the personality pup by James Gilroy published in 1948. Illustrations are by Nigel Mould. Goopy is a very intelligent but rather odd looking puppy! In this story, he performs in a circus, travels all over the world, flies in a balloon and meets the man in the moon and Father Christmas!
I’m not a big fan of the circus, but I do love the artwork on these colourful circus books. Do you enjoy going to the circus?
Hi Barbara
ReplyDeleteLovely books. Some I've never heard of. I'm with you - not a circus fan but I appreciate the artwork.
Sammy the Shunter is a book I've never seen before and at first glance reminded me of Thomas The Tank Engine, I very much like the strip book!!
Thanks for sharing, I'm always seeing something I've never seen before on your blog.
Such a wonderful post..fantastical books full of spirit and wonder..beautiful to gaze at! Thanks for sharing these marvelous gems!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Awww these books are so adorable! My kids would love them! Thanks for sharing! :)
ReplyDeleteLeigh Ann
MaMa's Book Corner
Such sweet books. I love the cover of the tiger one. Imagine riding a tiger.
ReplyDeleteI loved the circus when I was small - there was always something exciting and magical about it and I loved the spangly costumes. These books really bring back the wonder of those days! I don't think I would go to one today though - its one of those things where I think the memories are precious and would be spoilt by reality and viewing something with the eyes of an adult.
ReplyDeleteI alway hated the circus, for the animals. I want to see them free, and not in a cage or being clowns for people. I adore the Cirque du Soleil though!! I hope this comment will load, last times I couldn't log in...
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on that – I like the artwork, but I’m not keen on the circus. I enjoy the clowns and high-wire acts but not the animals.
The stories about Sammy the Shunter are very similar to Thomas but Sammy’s adventures take him all over the world while Thomas likes to stay closer to home.
I'm glad you find something new when you visit because the same is true when I visit you.
I have only ever been to the circus once as a very small child, don't think I have seen any advertised - are they still around? Oooh 15% off, I really shouldn't but will go and have a wee look
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
These books look adorable! I loved the circus when I was little. It was always a magical time. Now I know more about them, so I wouldn't attend a circus with animals. I do think the artwork from the covers of the books looks beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to a circus but I love stories & films about them (and carnivals ~ are they the same?). The Ringling Brothers. Mabel Stark. But of course I'd hope the animals aren't treated cruelly. Hope to catch Cirque du Soleil one day. These books look wonderful, Barbara. A cat turning into a tiger and bringing the girl to the show! And Ernest and Celestine ... wonder what their impromptu act was!
ReplyDeleteThanks Victoria. I get a great deal of pleasure from sharing so I’m glad you enjoyed them.
ReplyDeleteHi Leigh Ann, happy to share. Thanks for calling in and leaving a comment.
ReplyDeleteHello Donna, Riding a tame tiger would be a lot of fun – not sure I would want to try it with a wild one! Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, I could not agree more! Back then everything about it felt magical and exciting, but as you get older and start thinking more about it some of the magic fades.
ReplyDeleteHello Bobbi, I have to be honest and say the welfare of the animals didn’t occur to me when I was young. The only thing I could think of at the time was the excitement of going to the circus, but I feel very differently about it now. I would, however, love to see the Cirque de Soleil – one day maybe.
ReplyDeleteHi Lainy, we do see posters advertising the circus occasionally so I’m sure they are still around.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your look around the site. Thanks for calling in.
Hello Staphanie, it looks as though most of us feel the same way. It makes you wonder how circuses keep going. I would love to go again one day but not while there are animal acts.
ReplyDeleteHello Claudine, carnival does sometimes combine elements of the circus, together with street parties, floats and people dressing up. But they are held in the open air in a town or city with local people taking part. A circus is usually a travelling company of performers that includes clowns, musicians, trained animals, jugglers, etc.. It's normally held in a large tent (the big top), and the acts perform in a circular area at the centre of the tent. I hope to see the Cirque du Soleil one day too. It looks wonderful on TV.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the books, thanks for calling in.
The art work is beautiful! I enjoyed the circus when I was small. Now that I know how most of the animals are treated, I would never go again. I have a few of these circus theme books, I found they seemed like propaganda for how wonderful the circus was and how the animals wanted to be there. Actually quite weird. Thanks for sharing these great books. The 'Tiger' books sounds adorable!
ReplyDeleteAs a child I loved the circus. In fact I loved the circus until I found out about some things like in the book "Water for Elephants" which is a historical fiction with some horrible elements of truth. I guess as we age our perspective switches and it's a shame because these children's books attest to the colors, the magic and the fun atmosphere all encapsulated under a tent. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane, I think they are beautiful too. I have always loved the excitement that surrounds the circus but not the use of animals. I think it will need to change and evolve to survive.
ReplyDeleteHello Eve, it is a shame, so much about the circus is fun and exciting – but certain elements really do need to change. I would be very happy to go and watch the other acts if they just stopped using animals.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I just won the circus book lottery here! Each looks more enchanting than the rest!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, what a lovely comment! Do you have a blog? Please let me know if you do as I would love to visit. Barbara.
ReplyDelete