Sidewalk Circus

Waiting kids see circus acts with imaginations.

Author: Paul Fleischman Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes Pages: 32 Publisher: Candlewick Press Published Date: 03/08/2007 Genre: Fiction - Picture Book PB Price: $6.99 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 5-9 Read Aloud: 5 Read Alone: 5 Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book, Kirkus Reviews Editors' Choice

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this imaginative book holds nothing offensive for families.

Families can talk about new ways of seeing the world. Kids can try finding their own "sidewalk circus" next time they're stuck waiting for a bus, standing in line at the bank, or helping parents grocery shop. Parents can talk about how imagination can make for great entertainment no matter how ordinary the day.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Dawn Friedman

Veteran author Paul Fleischman joins veteran illustrator Kevin Hawkes to create a magical book rooted in realism. A hint of what the book holds is right on the cover where a yawning sign-hanger looks ordinary, but his shadow on the wall turns him into a shouting ringleader. That's the message here: excitement is where you find it!

It's the imaginations of two kids waiting for the bus that bring the circus to life for the reader. First a little girl watches with astonished eyes. When she departs, an equally inventive boy takes her place.

Not quite a wordless picture book, the story wanders across the page in the form of the lit-up theater marquee and the signs hoisted up by the sign-hanger. As the words appear, the action follows, and suddenly an everyday delivery man becomes a strongman and jugglers appear in a pizza shop window.

Pre-readers will enjoy poring over the detailed pictures since the words aren't really necessary to catch the action. All parents need to do is open the book, shout "step right up!" and let kids' imaginations loose.