Friends of Montclair Library

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 19th, Circus of Smiles will bring its “non-stop clowning and family-friendly theatrics” to Montclair Library at noon.

If you’re in the mood for circus books, step right up to the shelves of Montclair Library! There are mysteries and adventures for young chapter book readers, and magic and elephants for adult readers.

Not surprisingly, colorful, animal- and action-filled circuses are a popular topic for picture books. Here are 10 options in the Montclair children’s collection:

If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss (J PICBK SEUSS)
In Seuss’s classic story, a young boy imagines the fantastic animals and incredible acts he will have for his greatest of all circuses.

Olivia Saves the Circus by Ian Falconer (J PICBK FALCONER)
At school, Olivia tells about her summer vacation and how, when she went to the circus and all the performers were out sick, she saved the day.

Tree-Ring Circus by Adam Rex (J PICBK REX)
In this cumulative tale, a tree becomes a hiding place for various animals, a runaway circus clown, and even an elephant.

Circus by Lois Ehlert (J PICBK EHLERT)
Leaping lizards, marching snakes, a bear on the high wire, and others perform in a somewhat unusual circus.

The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen (J PICBK VAN DUSEN)
When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the animals win over the local townspeople, who help the animals when the greedy circus owner returns to claim them.

The Finger Circus Game by Hervé Tullet (J BOARD TULLET)
Another interactive book by the author of Press Here, where your own fingers become a lion tamer, acrobats and more.

The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P.T. Barnum by Candace Fleming (J BIO BARNUM)
A biography of P.T. Barnum, showman and founder of the Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Clifford at the Circus by Norman Bridwell (J PICBK BRIDWELL)
When the circus owner laments that everything is going wrong and he will not be able to put on a show, Clifford the giant dog thinks of ways to save the day.

Roarr: Calder’s Circus by Maira Kalman (J PICBK KALMAN)
Brings to life the miniature circus that artist Alexander Calder built from scraps.

Spot Goes to the Circus by Eric Hill (J PICBK HILL)
Spot goes behind the scenes at a circus to find his ball and learns a clever trick.