The Circus Is Coming facts for kids
First edition, 1938
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| Author | Noel Streatfeild |
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| Illustrator | Steven Spurrier |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's novel |
| Publisher | J M Dent & Sons |
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Publication date
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1938 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 314 pp |
| ISBN | 9990310726 |
The Circus Is Coming is an exciting children's book written by Noel Streatfeild. It tells the story of what life is like working in a travelling circus. The book was first published in 1938. It featured drawings by Steven Spurrier.
Noel Streatfeild won a special award for this book. She received the Carnegie Medal from the Library Association. This award celebrates the best children's book by a British subject each year. In America, and for some later British versions, the book is called Circus Shoes.
Contents
What is the Story About?
This book follows two children, Santa and Peter. Santa is 11, and Peter is 12. They grew up with their old-fashioned aunt. She was very strict and thought she was better than others.
When their aunt dies, Santa and Peter face a big problem. They might have to go to separate orphanages. Instead, they decide to find their Uncle Gus. They don't know him well, but they know he travels with Cob's Circus.
Joining the Circus Life
When they find Uncle Gus, they get a big surprise. He is a clown and also a trapeze artist! Gus is shocked to see them. At first, he wants to send them to the orphanages. But they convince him to let them stay. They get to join the circus for the whole season.
Santa and Peter are amazed by circus life. They work hard to fit in. Peter loves the horses and learns how to care for them. Santa starts learning acrobatics.
They also learn about their family's past. Their family actually came from people who worked as servants. This is a shock at first. But soon, they are happy not to pretend to be fancy anymore. They hear many stories about circus life as they travel. At the end of the season, Uncle Gus agrees. Santa and Peter have earned their place and can stay with the circus.
Who Are the Characters?
The book has many interesting characters, both people and animals.
The Children in the Story
- Santa Possit
- Peter Possit
- Sasha Petoff
- Olga Petoff
- Alexsis Petoff
- Fifi Moulin
- Hans Schmidt
- Fritzi Schmidt
The Adults and Animals at the Circus
- Gus Possit: A clown and trapeze artist
- Ted Kenet: Also a clown and trapeze artist
- Ben Willis: The person in charge of the horses
- Mr Cob: The owner and ringmaster of the circus
- The Petoffs: These are the amazing Liberty horses
- The Moulins: These are the clever performing poodles
- The Schmidts: These are the funny sea lions
- Kundra: The elephants
- Satan: The lions
About the Illustrations
The drawings in The Circus Is Coming are very special. The artist, Steven Spurrier, actually traveled with a real circus. He went with Bertram Mills' Circus to get ideas for the book. This helped him make his drawings look very real.
Before the final drawings were ready, Spurrier became sick. So, the book was published with his first sketches. These drawings are "full of swift and lively observation." This means they show quick and lively moments from the circus.
Later editions of the book had different artists. The first American edition in 1939 had drawings by Richard Floethe. His style was different but still striking. Clarke Hutton also drew pictures for the 1947 edition. His illustrations also appeared in the 1956 Puffin Books version.
