The Circus Ship

Locations
Call Number: E VAN
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown Kids Books 4-week checkout	E VAN	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown Kids Books 4-week checkout	E VAN	4-week checkout	On Shelf

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.

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Adorable! submitted by karaelise on June 29, 2011, 7:25pm What happens when a circus ship crashes in the ocean in the 1800’s? Why, the animals swim to shore of course! Abandoned during the sinking of the ship by their cruel ring master, Mr. Paine, the animals from the ship in Chris Van Dusen’s The Circus Ship swim ashore to a small town in Maine. Of course, the animals are quickly noticed by the townspeople, despite their efforts to fit in. Their reputation is not helped when they are found all over town in strange situations. After all, “…Miss Fannie Feeney found, according to the rumors—the silly little circus monkey swinging in her bloomers.” The animals are effectively shut out by the towns-people, until one day a fire breaks out in a house, trapping little Emma Rose inside. The valiant tiger, which had jumped through many fire rings during his time in the circus, comes to her rescue, thus turning the tide of the town’s attitude toward the circus animals. But Mr. Paine soon comes looking for his animals because there is a show to do in Boston. What the townspeople do to protect their new friends is remarkable and absolutely hilarious.
The Circus Ship is filled with witty rhyming prose and vivid, cartoon-like illustrations. Van Dusen makes the animals look loveable, and gives both people and animals wonderful facial expressions. A spread where the animals are hiding provides a wonderful picture searching opportunity. The plot of the story is fast-paced and entertaining. It is also important to note that the story is actually based on real events, which can be read about in the back of the book, though the animals never got as far as the town in the true story. Recommended for grades Pre-K-4.

Great story submitted by ejmarcash on August 2, 2012, 7:14pm This is one of my 4 year old's favorite books. He loves counting the animals and looking for them when they are hiding in plain view from the mean Mr. Paine. The story is amusing and entertaining for both children and parents. The rhyming lines are perfect for the little ones who enjoy filling in the last word to a sentence.