Woo hoo! It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday again, and have I got a book for you!
I was going to post a more serious book this week, since last week’s was all adorable owl cuteness, but spring has sprung, and something light-hearted seemed like a great idea, and this book is as irresistible as Knight Owl in its own humorous and highly entertaining way.
So are you ready for some fun? How about a circus? 😊
text copyright Janet Sumner Johnson 2024, illustration copyright Patrick Corrigan 2024, Picture Window Books
Title: Not My Circus
Written By: Janet Sumner Johnson
Illustrated By: Patrick Corrigan
Publisher: Picture Window Books, January 1, 2024, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 5-8
Themes/Topics: pursue your dreams, perseverance, rely on your intelligence
text copyright Janet Sumner Johnson 2024, illustration copyright Patrick Corrigan 2024, Picture Window Books
Opening:
“When Olivia’s mom sent her to the market,
she was supposed to buy eggs. . . “
text copyright Janet Sumner Johnson 2024, illustration copyright Patrick Corrigan 2024, Picture Window Books
Brief Synopsis: [from the publisher] “Olivia was supposed to buy eggs at the store, but instead she came home with a circus; despite food fights and a lack of potty training, Olivia is determined to keep her animals–even after Mr. Victor changes his mind and wants them back.”
text copyright Janet Sumner Johnson 2024, illustration copyright Patrick Corrigan 2024, Picture Window Books
text copyright Janet Sumner Johnson 2024, illustration copyright Patrick Corrigan 2024, Picture Window Books
Links To Resources: the back matter of the book has an explanation of idioms and a list of idioms from the book for kids to learn and understand; Fun Activities To Teach Idioms; 7 Creative Ways To Teach Idioms
text copyright Janet Sumner Johnson 2024, illustration copyright Patrick Corrigan 2024, Picture Window Books
Why I Like This Book: This DELIGHTFUL book opens with a kind of Jack and the Beanstalk feel. Olivia is sent for eggs and returns with an animal circus because she “couldn’t resist a bargain” 😊 Like a lot of us (kids and adults, too!), Olivia doesn’t quite think her way through this impulse purchase. She sees only the excitement and fun the animals will bring and is dismayed by the trouble they cause. In epistolary format, she appeals to the circus’s former owner to take the animals back. He refuses. This results in a back and forth where Olivia tries to make things better, for herself, her mom, the animals, and the neighbors with more unanticipated outcomes and more letters sent and received. The text and the illustrations are bright and full of humor, but also (without coming right out and saying it) carry the lesson to young readers that it is possible to think your way out of a sticky situation if you rely on your intelligence and ingenuity! Highly recommended for kids and grown-ups! 😊
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
“Not my circus, not my monkeys.” How often have we said that? lol I love it! Sounds like a fun book to read aloud to children!
Congratulations Janet and Patrick. I love the idea of going to buy eggs and coming home with a circus. The dinner scene is perfect. I love it all. Thank you♥️
I’ve read this book and it’s a hoot!
OH how fun! I love the phrase “not my circus” and delighted to see it used in such a kid way!
I love it! So funny and cute.
Wow. What a great idea for a PB. Look like so much) fun. My nephew loves funny animal stories so will def be getting. Adorable. Congrats.
Please unsubscribe – manage subscriptions can’t find me jt
Joyfully, Jill
This is such a great book! I just read it the other day. Olivia is such a spunky, creative thinker. Awesome pick, Susanna!
This looks like the Perfect Book to read right now (snowy, gray, blech…). Thanks for sharing it – I needed something to brighten my day.
Such fun! I often feel like my house is a circus – I can’t imagine how crazed it would be if there were actual circus animals sharing our space!
Agree, this is a fun one! Silly, rereadable, and very clever, with loads of great illustrations. Nice choice, Susanna. And great book, Janet and Patrick.
This is a PPBF selection! I have to read it, it sounds adorable! 😊
I remember seeing this book announced and thought what a great idea for a picture book. I love the title and this looks hilarious.
This book is definitely going on my next library book order for my school. What a fun idea!
Susanna!! Thank you so much for this review! I’m HUGELY honored to have made your PPBF list, and thrilled you enjoyed it! ❤ ❤ ❤
(And thank you to everyone for the lovely comments!)