From School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1—Imagination transforms a child's small bedroom with the aid of a leotard, socks, and a canopy over the bed, as its occupant balances, flies, twists, and turns through a series of acts replicating those seen in a circus extravaganza. Each page represents various performances, waiting for the applause of the youngster's fascinated dolls and stuffed animals. She twists on ropes and rings, zooms through the air on a trapeze, balances objects stacked to the page edge, rides standing aloft on a galloping horse, and glides gracefully across a rope in the air. Surrounded by helpful clowns, an elephant, and a friendly, large-jawed lion, the text includes a series of adjectives describing the young artiste. She's "daring," "dazzling," "dramatic," "outrageous," "plucky," "bold," with an emphasis on words in distinctively decorative circus and block fonts. Simply drawn, water-washed scenes contrasted by white present "Circus Girl—Star of the Show" in this easy introduction to the circus and tribute to the power of imagination. Perfect for youngsters who dream of their own three-ringed events.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX
About the Author
Clare Pernice was born and raised in England, where her passion for children’s books took root. She was influenced by her imaginative, story-telling father and inspired by renowned local author, Roald Dahl who visited her school. Her childhood love for stories prompted her to write her own, creating both characters and illustrations at a young age. With an avid interest in children’s books, art and design, Clare attended and graduated from London’s Central Saint Martin’s School of Art. She has designed and illustrated in Paris, San Francisco, Japan, Los Angeles, Charleston and New York.
Her designs extend beyond book illustrations to include children’s clothing, toys, murals and hand typography for which she earned an Addy Award. Clare has also created costumes and props for both stage and film. One garnered a “Best Costumes” Academy Award for her work on “Cyrano de Bergerac”.
Clare has since returned to writing and illustrating children’s books in a studio filled with words, doodles, paper and paint. Her picture books are inspired by her own childhood and raising her two creative children. She is a culture enthusiast enjoying books and blogs, art and music, travel and people, theatre and cinema. Clare is an active member of the Children’s Book Illustrator’s Group and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She spends her creative time between Manhattan and the woods of Weston, Connecticut, where she lives with her husband, their two children and miniature dachshund Milo.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
A costume, props and a girl;
to the sound of applause, the curtain goes up-- ta da! It's Circus Girl, STAR of the Show. The poetic spectacle begins with a JUMP. She's Daring and Dazzling and oh! so Dramatic COURAGEOUS STUPENDOUS and completely OUTRAGEOUS. She's PLUCKY BOLD!
