(2) K-3 Retold by Georghia Ellinas. Illustrated by Jane Ray. Feste the clown/fool is our tour guide in this retelling of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. He is uniquely suited to this job because, as he says, he's the only person who knows "what is going on and who is fooling whom." In a prose text, he introduces us to the mix-and-match merry-making, love lost and found, cross-dressing, plots-gone-wrong, and general bewilderment of Illyria, as well as tidily conveying not only the hilarity of the story but also some of its darker emotional implications such as the undoing of Malvolio. At the most tangled moment of the Olivia/Orsino/Sebastian/Viola mix-up, Feste declares: "It was difficult to know whom to feel sorrier for as they were all so confused and upset." This genial introduction to the play is a good choice for young theatergoers but is also a fine picture book in its own right, maximizing the theatrical nature of picture books. The watercolor illustrations in jewel-like colors and energetic compositions are reminiscent of the work of Tomie dePaola, and the casual diversity of the characters is a welcome touch. Like the play, the final scene has its lonely note. We see everybody happily coupled except an aging Feste, who sits secluded with his lute, his hand puppet, and his beruffed dog.

Reviewer: Sarah Ellis | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2024

(2) YA The characters of this surreal novel--teens Zelda and Langston and an absurd ensemble (a wizard, a laundromat clown)--are aware that they're in a dream. But whose dream? Whose mind is controlling everyone else in the dream town, and what will happen when they wake up? Scenes likely to elicit chuckles of recognition from anyone who's vividly dreamed (a geography final is about to start, or maybe it's geometry, or neither) give way to seriousness and introspection as it becomes clear that the dream is lasting more than one night and as difficult memories figure into the dream world. Characters question their roles and the implications of their interactions: "Growing up is realizing you're not the main character. Or else everyone is, too." By its nature, the story includes some portions that can feel static as characters wander around the dream town. But revelations toward the end, with some twists and turns, provide a payoff that invites re-readings. Black-and-white digital illustrations are interspersed (final art unseen).

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2023

(2) PS Frazee's wordless trilogy that began with The Farmer and the Clown (rev. 11/14) comes to a satisfying end. The story opens at the circus, where the young clown refuses a red clown suit, preferring instead to wear the farmer's broad hat and carry a rake. When the monkey appears, carrying the farmer's picnic basket, the monkey and young clown "play farm" as they pretend to milk an elephant, dance in the sunrise, and picnic together. The only person missing from the scene is the beloved farmer. But not for long. Across the wide horizon he comes (holding the circus ticket left by the monkey in The Farmer and the Monkey, rev. 11/20). As the story unfolds to its warmhearted conclusion, an adult clown (the young clown's mother, perhaps?) and the farmer are shown settling in at the farm, arms around each other, as they watch the monkey and the little clown pick apples for a picnic. Everything is resolved: loving adults to care for the child and the monkey and an end to loneliness for all. Frazee layers pencil and gouache to create her wide-open sky and an expansive prairie. She adeptly uses series of spot illustrations, surrounded by clean white space, and rich double-page spreads to pace the story. Readers will find little real tension but a great deal of warmth and skilled storytelling as the sun rises on a new, untraditional family.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2021

(2) PS Illustrated by Matthew Cordell. "When Boffo and Frieda Clown had a baby, everyone in the circus was over the moon. 'A STAR is born!' said the big boss, Mr. Dingling." Unfortunately, Baby Clown does nothing but cry, which is problematic for the clowns as well as the circus, with Mr. Dingling expressing his displeasure via veiled threats of dismissal. Cordell's jerky, energetic pen-and-ink lines and watercolor washes heighten the sense of agitation and stress as Baby Clown's parents and colleagues (including the trapeze artists, the tightrope walker, and even the animals) try every means to soothe the infant, without success. When the sold-out circus opens, Baby Clown wails through his debut, his misery depicted in a dramatic close-up. Of course, the audience thinks it's all part of the act, and Baby Clown, with show business instincts after all, finds the one thing that soothes his spirit--applause. Full of silliness to enjoy in both art and text, the story may resonate on another level with families who have known the struggle of settling a screaming infant.

Reviewer: Julie Roach | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Vigg. "It looks like nothing happens in this book," says a smartly dressed mole-snouted narrator in a barren space. But then he spots a big shoe, a small car, and other clown accoutrements and realizes that something is happening. This is one of those meta picture books that builds toward something worth waiting for: a gatefold spread bursting with cartoony circus antics ("WOW!").

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jennifer Bower. Max Patkin's Major League dreams "took a funny turn." Before there were mascots in baseball stadiums, there was this clownish failed pitcher whose rubber face and talent as a mimic kept fans in stitches. The drawn-out text is unlikely to get today's young readers interested in the famous baseball clown's old-fashioned antics, though they're humorously enlivened in the caricaturish art.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 Prizewinners of Piedmont Place series. Illustrated by Colin Jack. The biracial Talaska family (The Prizewinners of Piedmont Place) works together to solve riddles to win the "Funland Fun House Makeover Contest" and save the dilapidated family home. Although lacking in character and plot development, slapstick humor and pun-tastic wordplay are at the heart of this imaginative book filled with clowns, amusement-park attractions, and last-minute saves. Spot illustrations echo the over-the-top tone.

Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester

(3) 1-3 In this nostalgic story about enlivened toys, embittered carnival-game clown Zozo, who nurses a vendetta against toys that are their owners' favorites, orchestrates the kidnapping of six-year-old Billy's beloved plush toy, Ollie; an epic, child-pleasing rescue ensues. This hefty, large-format book features Joyce's precisely rendered, full-page multimedia illustrations, by turns tenderhearted and creepy to reflect the warring toys.

Reviewer: Carolyn Shute

(4) 4-6 Spine Shivers series. Illustrated by Nelson Evergreen. This not-so-scary series covers many bases: evil clowns, ghost children, a robot apocalypse, and evil mud clones. While the creep-factor may be low for die-hard horror fans, the suspenseful narratives (and hair-raising covers) will work for newcomers and/or reluctant readers. Three full-page black-and-white illustrations accompany each book. Back matter includes discussion questions, writing prompts, and brief backstory for the supernatural events. Glos. Review covers these Spine Shivers titles: Attack of the Mud Creatures, The Grin in the Dark, The Screaming Bridge, and Tech Fury.

Reviewer: Sian Gaetano

(4) K-3 Xtreme Jobs series. This series surveys professions in which participants experience extreme danger and risk death. Each formulaic book presents a brief history of the profession, inherent dangers, qualifications required, techniques involved, and key individuals. The content will thrill would-be adventurers. The abbreviated texts are enhanced by numerous photographs and text boxes. Job facts and an extended glossary provide additional information. Ind. This review covers these Xtreme Jobs titles: Rodeo Clown, Test Pilot, Astronaut, Daredevil, Search & Rescue, and Stunt Performer.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) K-3 Ready-to-Read series. Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton. With Nathan Whitaker. Justin is nervous about seeing clowns in the parade. While he waits anxiously, he finds a colorful wallet. Tempted to keep it, he consults his siblings and ultimately does the right thing and returns it to the owner: a clown. Though accessible for new readers, the sappy story's lesson is overt; serviceable illustrations capture the energy of a parade.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(1) K-3 Appearances can be deceiving in this superb wordless book. A grim-faced farmer comes to the rescue when a circus train hits a bump and ejects a jolly-looking toddler clown. At bedtime, off comes the clown makeup, revealing a scared child; the farmer makes a clown of himself to get a real smile from his guest. A riveting narrative with an impressive range of emotion.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Nigel Baines. With a psychotic clown and demons after him, zombie Ed is put under the protection of Evil Clive. But unable to watch his friends suffer on his behalf, Ed sets out to find Kambo Cheapteeth and settle things once and for all. Darkly humorous and seriously gross, this second story is exciting and surprisingly emotional. Black-and-white illustrations are more funny than gruesome.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) K-3 Lester's displaced elderly cousin Clara (her "cottage was consumed by a crocodile") moves in and begins knitting ugly sweaters. As soon as Lester gets rid of one, Clara replaces it. Unnecessary plot points, irritating asides, and too many adjectives threaten to unravel this farcical tale, but the clever conclusion ties things up nicely. The pencil-crayon drawings are rendered in an appropriately dingy palette.

Reviewer: Lela Nargi

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Henrietta loves being a clown like her five-foot-nine-inch mother and little-person father; she never wants to leave the circus, her extended family. Then a tragic turn of events forces her--and everyone else--to make choices. Filled with intriguing details about traveling-circus life, this is a colorful look at an unconventional family, starring the plucky and appealing Henrietta.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) 4-6 Eleven-year-old Jeremy Cabbage has been adopted more than once, and he's never really found a place to call home until now. Unfortunately, his new guardians are clownlike "cloons" whom the despotic baron plans to banish from the city. Elliott tackles issues of prejudice and politics with a minimum of heavy-handedness (though it's not absent) in this quirky adventure.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Edward Miller. This birthday party–themed introduction to fractions covers a decent amount of ground: What's a fraction? What's a numerator? A denominator? How do you compare, add, and subtract fractions? What are equivalent fractions? Adler sometimes crams too much information into a single sentence, but his repeated examples and hands-on activities are effective and pedagogically appropriate. Miller's computer-generated illustrations provide a party atmosphere.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Gian Casty. One day clown Petronius and his animal friends decide they will no longer perform as directed, and they all leave the circus. They form a new, rule-free circus for children and poets, becoming as successful as they are happy. This edition features the illustrations from the original 1962 Swiss edition; the bold, childlike images are commanding, but the lengthy text lacks verve.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(4) 4-6 Far-Flung Adventures series. When Corby Flood and family travel on the S.S. Euphonia, she stumbles upon a mysterious singing creature and a conspiracy. Readers will enjoy the book's offbeat illustrations and humorous excerpts from a fictional travel guide, but they won’t be surprised that Corby saves the day. The authors have created another fully realized world that will appeal to fans.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(1) PS Illustrated by Pierre Pratt. "Where's Pup?" asks a clown as he quizzes circus performers and handlers. The clown's quest follows a pattern: he greets each pair and asks if they've seen Pup; they respond with a phrase that previews the sound of the name of the next pair. This is an engaging story for beginning readers--particularly for those who don't even know they can read. The illustrations provide context, and the book's design reinforces the jaunty pacing.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2003