The Show Must Go On! (Three-Ring Rascals #1)

Elderly Sir Sidney loves his circus, and he pampers his animals and performers, as well as the two mice and crow who are part of its extended family. When he decides to take some time off, he hires brash Barnabas Brambles, who promises to care for the circus with the same doting attention as Sir Sidney. As soon as the kindhearted owner leaves, though, Barnabas reveals his true plans, and they do not involve any doting; the top of his to-do list reads, "Make $$$ for me." With a terrible meanie in charge (Barnabas intends to increase the number of shows, charge more, and sell beloved animals), things look grim, but the circus folk hold onto their humor in this sweetly nutty kickoff to the Klise sisters' Three Ring Rascals series. Cartoon spot illustrations play up the comical mood--mice Bert and Gert deploy quips left and right, and the circus train spends a great deal of time atop the St. Louis Arch--in this free-spirited story that concludes with a lesson in kindness and a promise of more fun to come. Ages 7-10. (Sept)

Gr 3-5--The owner of Sir Sidney's Circus needs a vacation, and after reviewing and interviewing many potential circus managers, he chooses Barnabas Brambles, a graduate of the University of Piccadilly Circus in London with a degree in lion taming. But Barnabas is in need of making money and changes Sir Sidney's Circus schedule and pricing for his own profit and treats the animals poorly. Things seem to go wrong almost from the start, and he cancels all but the final show of the week. Barnabas is a complete fraud and knows nothing of circus life, yet Sir Sidney believes that the scoundrel can be a better man tomorrow. Whimsical illustrations are generously positioned throughout the text and play a key role in the book's pacing. Beginning chapter-book readers will thoroughly enjoy this fun and fast-paced title, which has lessons in kindness along the way.--Patty Saidenberg, George Jackson Academy, New York City

"Entertaining . . . Most children will agree the book is 'smafunderful (smart + fun + wonderful).'" —Kirkus Reviews

"[A] sweetly nutty kickoff to the Klise sisters' Three Ring Rascals series. Cartoon spot illustrations play up the comical mood . . . in this free-spirited story that concludes with a lesson in kindness and a promise of more fun to come." —Publishers Weekly

"Beginning chapter-book readers will thoroughly enjoy this fun and fast-paced title, which has lessons in kindness along the way." —School Library Journal

"The Klises maintain a light touch with the messaging, giving the book a comforting thematic unity around the importance of kindness; and humor is apparent in every detail, from the smallest conversational exchanges to the extravagantly silly set pieces that mark the book's major plot points. Readers will eagerly await the next volume of over-the-(big)-top hijinks." —The Horn Book Magazine