The Greatest Star on Earth

April 15, 2014
Who is the best performer? That is the question in this second in the entertaining Three-Ring Rascals chapter-book series. The premise is quickly established: Polly Pumpkinseed, publisher of the Circus Times, decides to sponsor a contest to determine who is best in Sir Sidney's circus. Sir Sidney thinks his stars are all great and doesn't want anyone to have their feelings hurt. He smells trouble ahead. More to the point: He actually develops a worrywart on his nose and is directed to rest, leaving the circus in Barnabas Brambles' hands. With circus mice Bert and Gert once again acting as his conscience, Barnabas behaves tolerably well this time. But Elsa the elephant, Leo the lion and the Famous Flying Banana Brothers become consumed with the contest. The story and the language trips along, as do the performers in their misguided efforts to win. As before, Gert's invented expressions are sprinkled throughout, sure to arouse giggles ("elephant + bellyflop = eleflop"). Illustrations, complete with speech bubbles, are seamlessly interwoven with the text to capture the action and misadventures. There's even a rousing song as the story moves toward its conclusion, asking "Can Three-Ring Rascals make this end okay?" Indeed, when they pull together, they can! Absurd situations, winning characters and plenty of heartfelt moments and laughs combine to make this a surefire hit. (Graphic fiction hybrid. 7-10)

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April 1, 2014

Gr 2-5-The stars of Sir Sidney's Circus are back. This time, they are competing for a trophy to be given by Polly Pumpkinseed to "The Greatest Star on Earth." Of course, each performer thinks he or she should win and their squabbling over who is best starts to get to Sir Sidney. In fact, he develops a worrywart and is sent off to his peanut farm to rest. Barnabas Brambles returns to run the show and circus mice Gert and Bert have their paws full trying to keep him on track. The animals' asides are amusing and advanced vocabulary is usually defined within the story. There are images and speech bubbles on each page and illustrated issues of Polly Pumpkinseed's Circus Times newspaper are interspersed throughout the tale. A fun pick for fans of silly stories and for reluctant readers too.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2014
The performers in Sir Sidney's Circus are thrown off their game when a newspaper proposes a contest to determine the best performer. Pun- and gag-filled narration, gentle messaging about teamwork and kindness, and frequent expressive spot art enrich the quirky, accessible story. Characters' struggles to live up to Sir Sidney's expectations are understatedly complex and will resonate with readers.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)