In this fun + silly = filly (as world-wise mice Bert and Gert might put it) debut of the Three-Ring Rascals series, the Klise sisters introduce readers to Sir Sidney's Circus.
Kindly Sir Sidney and his friendly circus animals are like family: Leo the Lion and Elsa the Elephant are best friends, and the Famous Flying Banana Brothers, the circus acrobats, dazzle crowds all over America. But Sir Sidney needs a little break from running the show. Enter Barnabas Brambles, certified Lion Tamer from the University of Piccadilly Circus. Sir Sidney and Barnabas strike a deal: Barnabas can have all the profits from one week of running the circus, and Sir Sidney will get his much needed break. Little does the circusmaster know that Barnabas is a fraud who's only out to make money. He tries to add extra shows, sell Leo and Elsa to the zoo, and get rid of Bert and Gert!
Much silliness and humor meet each crazy plan, and in the end Barnabas realizes the mistakes he has made. The wonderful line drawings, cartoon illustrations, and diagrams that appear on every page skillfully tell much of this story. M. Sarah Klise incorporates site gags, rhymes, jokes, word plays and even math problems in her illustrations. This already popular author-illustrator team (the 43 Old Cemetery Road series) creates a whole new cast of interesting characters that we hope to see again and again. This fanciful and entertaining new series will certainly appeal to newly independent readers. --JoAnn Jonas, children's librarian, freelance reviewer