The Circus Ship -- Chris Van Dusen, Hardcover

With stunning artwork and a rhyming text, the illustrator of the Mercy Watson books tells a tale of human-animal connection full of humor and heart.

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. With buoyant rhymes and brilliantly caricatured illustrations evoking the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen presents a hugely entertaining tale about the bonds of community -- and a rare hidden-pictures spread for eagle-eyed readers of all ages.

Author: Chris Van Dusen
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 09/22/2009
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 10.30h x 10.20w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9780763630904
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.7
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 134375 / Circus Ship

Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Nominee
Award: Golden Sower Award - Nominee
Award: Lupine Award - Winner
Award: Ladybug Picture Book Award - Nominee
Award: Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award - Nominee
Award: Beehive Awards - Nominee
Award: Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award - Winner
Award: Texas 2x2 Reading List - Recommended

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 08/01/2009 pg. 77
Kirkus Review - Children 08/15/2009
School Library Journal 09/01/2009 pg. 136
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2009 pg. 661
Christian Century 12/15/2009 pg. 25
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2010 - Superior,Well Above Average
Publishers Weekly 04/27/2015

About the Author
Chris Van Dusen is the illustrator of the Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo. He wrote and illustrated Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee, and If I Built a Car. He lives in Maine.