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Louise Trapeze #1
Louise Trapeze Is Totally 100% Fearless
Spunky, sweet, and totally brave (mostly)! Louise Trapeze dazzles and delights emerging young readers.
Ladies and gentleman! Boys and girls! Feast your eyes on the one, the only, Louise Trapeze! Louise performs with her parents and her best friend, Stella, in the Sweet Potato Circus. And today is Birthday Eve! That means tomorrow, Birthday Day, Louise officially turns seven. Seven is old enough to fly on the real flying trapeze. The big one. The one way high up in the sky, that makes her stomach flop-flip at the very sight . . . Uh-oh! Could it be that Louise is not 100% fearless after all? Might she actually, gulp, be afraid of heights . . . ?
Perfect for fans of IVY AND BEAN and JUNIE B. JONES, Louise Trapeze is adorably illustrated in two-color by Brigette Barrager, illustrator of New York Times bestseller UNI THE UNICORN.
Ladies and gentleman! Boys and girls! Feast your eyes on the one, the only, Louise Trapeze! Louise performs with her parents and her best friend, Stella, in the Sweet Potato Circus. And today is Birthday Eve! That means tomorrow, Birthday Day, Louise officially turns seven. Seven is old enough to fly on the real flying trapeze. The big one. The one way high up in the sky, that makes her stomach flop-flip at the very sight . . . Uh-oh! Could it be that Louise is not 100% fearless after all? Might she actually, gulp, be afraid of heights . . . ?
Perfect for fans of IVY AND BEAN and JUNIE B. JONES, Louise Trapeze is adorably illustrated in two-color by Brigette Barrager, illustrator of New York Times bestseller UNI THE UNICORN.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published July 28, 2015
About the author
Micol Ostow
82 books347 followersMicol Ostow has been writing professionally since 2004, and in that time has written and/or ghostwritten over 40 published works for young readers. She started her reign of terror with Egmont with her novel FAMILY, which Elizabeth Burns named a favorite of 2012 on her School Library Journal-syndicated blog, A Chair, a Fireplace, a Tea Cozy. Micol's graphic novel, SO PUNK ROCK (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother), was named a 2009 Booklist Top Ten Arts Books for Youth Selection, a Booklist Top Ten Religion Books for Youth Selection, and a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Teens. She received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts.
Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.
She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.
Her young adult horror novel, AMITY, will release from Egmont in August 2014, and her first chapter book series, LOUISE TRAPEZE, will debut in Spring 2015 from Random House.
She lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, alongside her Emmy Award-winning husband, their daughter, and a finicky French bulldog. Visit her at www.micolostow.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 6, 2022
A sweet little story about a 6 year old girl who turns 7 tomorrow learning about friendship, family, and facing your fears.
September 10, 2019
Genuinely loved reading this with my 8 year old. A family of trapeze artists has a daughter afraid of heights, she faces her fears and comments how good it felt to be open about her concerns, her mom helps her see that without fear you have no opportunity to be brave and that everyone has fears, even grown ups. It was an easy read and the main character was just turning 7 years old so I'm surprised my 8 year old didn't think it was too young. She's looking forward to reading the next in the series!
Ivy and Bean meets Fancy Nancy.
Ivy and Bean meets Fancy Nancy.
April 27, 2018
I read this with my 4.5 year old son. This early chapter book series has such a fun setting with a little girl who lives in the circus and performs with her family. I loved the cute illustrations spread throughout and the way the main character had to figure out how to handle having fears. This would be a great choice for newly independent readers!
February 16, 2020
Louise and her family work in a traveling circus. She longs to fly on the high trapeze, but when her parents finally grant her wish, she discovers that she is scared of heights!
Cute easy chapter book. Harder words are introduced with Louise-esque explanations, similar to Fancy Nancy.
Cute easy chapter book. Harder words are introduced with Louise-esque explanations, similar to Fancy Nancy.
August 28, 2017
This wasn't my favorite kids book but Roxie (age 5) enjoyed it and it was pretty cute. . It's fun entering this stage of reading chapter books to her.
July 5, 2018
Sweet and cute perfect for kids
November 24, 2019
Very fun to read aloud and my 5yo loved learning all Louise's favorite big words.
July 3, 2020
My favorite part is when Louise was on the trapeze bar because I LOVE swinging on things.
May 14, 2021
*spoliler* It teaches a good lesson not to lie about being scared of heights and hiding your clothes. I love Louise Trapeze!
October 20, 2017
Louise Trapeze is super excited to be turning seven because seven is almost nine, and when she turns nine she'll get to go on the real flying trapeze instead of her little stationary bar for acts. She prides herself on being almost 100% fearless (98%). Her best friend Stella has more fears, but is still pretty amazing in her act with Clementine the elephant. But when Louise's parents surprise her by saying seven is old enough to go on the flying trapeze, Louise makes a horrifying realization. Could it be she has another fear?
Though the book is set in a circus, Louise and her friend Stella are totally relatable. Louise deals with smidgeons of jealousy. She and Stella have a disagreement, which they work out. Louise's pride gets in the way of admitting that she is afraid of heights and that leads to an even more embarrassing episode with a larger audience. Eventually things work out. Louise learns to overcome her fear a teensy bit. She decides to trust her parents with her secret and apologizes to the rest of the circus troupe for her behavior (which probably takes more guts than getting on a flying trapeze). So wrapped up in the fun setting are good messages for normal girls. The illustrations are charming. There are little fancy vocabulary notes along the way, because Louise and Stella, much like Fancy Nancy, have a penchant for big, grown-up-sounding, fancy words but they explain them to the readers. Hand this to lower graders who have ventured into super easy chapter books and are ready for a teensy bit more of a challenge.
No content issues.
Though the book is set in a circus, Louise and her friend Stella are totally relatable. Louise deals with smidgeons of jealousy. She and Stella have a disagreement, which they work out. Louise's pride gets in the way of admitting that she is afraid of heights and that leads to an even more embarrassing episode with a larger audience. Eventually things work out. Louise learns to overcome her fear a teensy bit. She decides to trust her parents with her secret and apologizes to the rest of the circus troupe for her behavior (which probably takes more guts than getting on a flying trapeze). So wrapped up in the fun setting are good messages for normal girls. The illustrations are charming. There are little fancy vocabulary notes along the way, because Louise and Stella, much like Fancy Nancy, have a penchant for big, grown-up-sounding, fancy words but they explain them to the readers. Hand this to lower graders who have ventured into super easy chapter books and are ready for a teensy bit more of a challenge.
No content issues.
February 11, 2016
Louise Trapeze is Totally 100% Fearless is the first book in a series about a young girl who lives and works with her parents in a circus. The cover is interesting and bright. It matches the illustration style throughout the entire book. The illustrations are on nearly every page, breaking up long paragraphs with highlights of color. Children thumbing through this title will be pleased with the text to picture ratio. Louise has a lot of girl appeal and is around seven years old. The community of performers is very supportive of Louise. They come together to help her overcome her fear of heights. The mood encourages the “it takes a community to raise a child” theme. It was nice to see Louise describe her circus family by their talents versus physical deformities often associated with circus side shows. Louise is encouraged to admit her fear to her mother and reveals that being brave is about being honest. My only complaint is that the ending details Louise finding a way around her fear instead of overcoming it: an elephant lifts her down from the trapeze instead of her dropping to the net. I would recommend this title for girls who liked princess picture books, but are looking to get into beginning chapter books. Appropriate for ages 6 – 9. (reviewed by Meghann MacMillan)
July 17, 2015
On the eve of her birthday, Louise Trapeze is thrilled to become a part in the family trapeze act in the circus--until she realizes that she is scared of heights. After an older boy in the circus teases her about her fears, she is too embarrassed to reveal them to her best friend or her parents. To avoid performing, she hides her costume. But the truth spills out once the outfit has been discovered, and another performer turns out to have some of the very same fears. The patience with which her mother speaks with her, while also firmly holding her accountable for causing a lot of folks to spend time looking for the costume, serves as a good parental role model for how to talk to a child who has done something wrong. I liked the book for the lessons about fear and honesty it provides, but things are resolved very easily.
November 22, 2015
As the daughter of two trapeze artists in the circus, seven-year-old Louise cannot wait to fly through the air while performing her own tricks. She's willing, she's talented, and she's totally fearless. Except that when she does finally get the chance to climb to the high wire, she discovers that she has a teeny tiny problem with heights. She's too ashamed to admit her terror to her fellow circus people, however, and the coverup causes more problems than she ever anticipated.
Louise's voice is approachable, honest, and humorous. The story and accompanying illustrations provide interesting insights into circus life. Louise makes some understandable mistakes, and her growth throughout the novel is endearing and fairly realistic. All in all a nice start to a new series.
Louise's voice is approachable, honest, and humorous. The story and accompanying illustrations provide interesting insights into circus life. Louise makes some understandable mistakes, and her growth throughout the novel is endearing and fairly realistic. All in all a nice start to a new series.
August 25, 2015
Growing up as a circus performer, almost seven-year-old Louise spends her time perfecting circus tricks on the low-wire and trampoline, while dreaming of high flying on the trapeze amazing audiences with her amazing feats. Told through her young voice, readers will enjoy spirited Louise, even when she finds those daring tricks she imagines might not be so much fun yet. This is a perfect read for the Fancy Nancy chapter book crowd, both Nancy and Louise share a passion for using and defining bigger words they find impressive, and dressing in clothes with lots of pizzazz and glitter. The ink and pink illustrations are whimsical and break up the text effectively.
December 19, 2015
*I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*
Louise Trapeze is a very fun, energetic, and intelligent narrator. I expect that girls, especially strong younger readers, will flock to this book. Louise often seems a bit like Fancy Nancy, a bit like Junie B. Jones, but has adventures and supporting characters all her own. The illustrations are cute and sweet. Although this is designed like a beginning chapter book, and the protagonist is only seven, the vocabulary and sentence structure seem to be more appropriate for stronger readers. Interest level is lower elementary, but reading level is more upper elementary.
Louise Trapeze is a very fun, energetic, and intelligent narrator. I expect that girls, especially strong younger readers, will flock to this book. Louise often seems a bit like Fancy Nancy, a bit like Junie B. Jones, but has adventures and supporting characters all her own. The illustrations are cute and sweet. Although this is designed like a beginning chapter book, and the protagonist is only seven, the vocabulary and sentence structure seem to be more appropriate for stronger readers. Interest level is lower elementary, but reading level is more upper elementary.
November 30, 2015
What a great read-aloud for my almost 5-year-old! Little girl character with a super-fun life - she's in a circus troupe! - and real-life dilemmas including telling the truth, facing your fears, and how to treat your friends. My daughter picked it up because of the sweet, curly-haired girl in a pink tutu swinging from a trapeze. We kept reading to find out how Louise was going to handle her problems! Can't wait to read the next one!
August 27, 2015
All Louise Trapeze wants for her birthday is to fly on the big trapeze just like her parents. When she finally gets her wish Louise realizes she might have bitten off more than she can chew. A cute story all about facing our fears and finding the strength to be brave. A great new series for fans of Fancy Nancy.
November 1, 2016
Fun chapter book with curly cute illustrations and cheery lead. Includes good conversations with her BFF and her mom.
Kid readers will struggle with most every name in this. I know they're circus names, but still. I wish Louise was 7 going on 8 or 8 going on 9. Kids able to read this will be older than Louise, and that's too bad. I checked and it's a 3.7. The main character's too young.
Kid readers will struggle with most every name in this. I know they're circus names, but still. I wish Louise was 7 going on 8 or 8 going on 9. Kids able to read this will be older than Louise, and that's too bad. I checked and it's a 3.7. The main character's too young.
January 14, 2016
I started this with Jane yesterday, my newly turned 5 year old, and she LOVED it. Cute pictures and fun story about a girl in a circus troupe who wants to fly on the trapeze but then gets nervous when actually given the chance to. Recommended as an early chapter book.
October 31, 2016
A super charming series about Louise, who, along with her parents, performs in a circus. She has a realistic friendship with her best friend, Stella. They have occasional conflict, and minor drama, but resolve it as good friends should. Wonderful role models here! Fun fun series!
October 3, 2015
This book is absolutely adorable!!! I cannot wait to read the next one!!! :)
Want to read
August 13, 2016SM
January 5, 2017
This was a pretty cute book. At times Louise's phrases grated on my nerves, but overall a very cute book about how everyone has fears and being afraid doesn't make you any less grown up.
January 17, 2017
Good Ivy and Bean read-a-like. Quirky circus characters are a little too formulaic for adults, but kids will love them. Nice illustrations and positive message about working to overcome your fears.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews