The Circus is Coming! A Picture Parade Starring 240 Performers in 20 Scenes

by Hilary Knight

A circus parade highlights the colorful and exciting acts to come.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

44 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Hilary Knight writes, "I attribute any abilities I possess to the fact that both my parents are artists and writers. My father, Clayton Knight, is well-known for his aviation paintings and books. My mother, Katharine Sturges, has done fashion drawings, fabric designs as well as many children's books" (The Horn Book, 1968).

Born in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, in 1926. Childhood spent on Long Island and in New York City. Attended Art Students League, New York, where he studied under Reginald Marsh.

The Navy interrupted his studies from 1944 to 1946, but Mr. Knight went on painting -- ships. His own career began when several of his humorous drawings were published in "House and Garden" and "Mademoiselle." His famous illustrations for Eloise by Kay Thompson came out in 1955 followed by several sequels. He has illustrated more than fifty books for children, six of which he wrote himself.

Reviews

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated circus parade and one does feel as if the circus is parading in front of you. Always there are three of four children at the bottom of the illustrations with their backs to the reader being enthralled with the circus acts. One feels immeresed in the illustrations.

[Elsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite books as a kid.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! This is one of my favorite books from childhood. The illustrations are intricate and whimsical; I used to spend hours poring over each page, picking out all the details and trying to decide who I wanted to be in each scene. There's no story and the text is somewhat disjointed at times, but the pictures more than make up for any loss there. Wonderful addition to any children's library.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorites from childhood, great pictures, and fun to play "I spy" with!

[Peter Tierney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this as a child. The pictures are incredible

[Redgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing illustrations

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

With lavish and intricately detailed artistic style, this book not only tells about the circus coming to town but provides a setting so clear that the reader can almost smell the popcorn and cotton candy. girls enjoyed it.

[Vesper Stamper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful example of Knight's graceful work; but a little on the creepy side...I always squirm a little letting my kids look at it. So that's why the 3 stars.

[Princess Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art in this book is wonderful, but the story is kinda week. The choice of words is off and some of drawings are kinda on the naughty side, but the book is very eye catching and vibrant.

[J Mendez · Rating 1 out of 5]

There can be no doubt of Knight's tremendous talent and artistic prowess from this book's illistrations. Unfortunatly this stylistic beauty is tarnished by the exotification and fetishization of non-white people throughout. This book groups people of color as curiosities alongside performing animals, mythical characters, and clowns. Moreover it reenforces racial stereotypes and describes some black and brown people as "wild," "untamed," and "exotic." Women are depicted in a sexualized way alongside small children.

Some may disagree with the impact of racialized imagery like that found in this book. I have no doubt this book was written for a white audience. All of the characters with names, back stories and individualized characteristics are white. Early exposure to racialized content builds the foundation through which we construct our understanding of what people are like, especially people who we perceive to be different than 'us.' These representations are also speaking loudly to non-white children about who they are or at least how they are seen by the white gaze. It may seem subtle to adult readers, but this is how othering is normalized. This type of content tells children it's acceptable and fun to group people based on the color of their skin, their ethnic group, or perceived country of origin. These are the underpinings of institutionalized racism and culture entrenched with white supremecist ideology. If we want an end to the harms and division caused by white supremacy, we need to examine even the things we hold dear and select (and invest in) children's literature with better representation.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Noah's favorites. The illustrations are beautiful, although my dad told Noah one night when he was reading it to him that the characters need more clothes, lol!