The Circus Ship The Circus Shipauthor/illustrator: Chris Van Dusen

awards and nominations
1. Indies Choice Picture Book Hall of Fame nominee
2. Georgia Picture Storybook Award nominee
3. Monarch Award Master List
4. Iowa Books Awards Goldfinch Award
5. The Chickadee Award (Maine)
6. Comstock Honor Book
7. North Carolina Children''''s Book Award - Nominee
8. Maine Lupine Award Winner
9. New Hampshire Ladybug Award Nominee
10. Texas 2x2 Reading List Selection
11. Borders Best Kids Books of 2009
12. Kirkus Reviews Best Children''''s Books
13. IndieBound Kids''''s Next List
14. Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award Winner
reviews
The Horn Book
12/22/2009
The Horn Book
A hilarious romp complete with a villainous circus owner, a courageous fire-leaping tiger, and clever animals camouflaged as humans….With the cadence and excitement of the story-poems of Longfellow and the tongue-twisters of Mahy, this tall tale begs to be read aloud – repeatedly.
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School Library Journal
08/31/2009
School Library Journal
Van Dusen’s rhymed text keeps a rollicking beat. His illustrations burst with color and energy and utilize perspective and texture to add drama and humor. Period details create a counterpoint with elements like a gorilla in a lifeboat. The spread of the animals in “hiding” is pure genius. The book honors the real circus animals that inspired this story.
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Booklist
07/30/2009
Booklist
Charming and humorous…the vividly colored, meticulously drawn, cartoon-style illustrations articulate the story so well that they could practically stand on their own.
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Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
08/13/2009
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
The verse is sprightly, but the pictures are the true stunners. Bright, lampooning gouaches (familiar from the Mercy Watson series) and dizzying perspective perfectly suit this picaresque tale...Children will pore over panoramic spreads that invite them to find each of the 15 animals and celebrate a denouement that serves up Mr. Paine's just deserts. Splendid!
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