Claude at the Circus

Claude #3

by Alex T. Smith

When Mr. and Mrs. Shineyshoes leave for the day, their dog Claude and his sock puppet sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, visit the circus. From Alex T. Smith's hilariously illustrated early chapter book series.

After rescuing a runaway baby carriage, Claude and Sir Bobblysock are invited to watch a circus. But Claude can't keep his hands to himself and accidentally sabotages the performing equipment. Still, the show must go on―even if Claude and Sir Bobblysock have to put on the entire thing themselves. What a wonderful day!

Quirky, delightfully odd, and positively surreal, Alex T. Smith's beloved Claude series promises fits of giggles for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Two-color illustrations throughout.

Genres: Chapter Books, Childrens, Humor, Animals, Picture Books, Dogs, Fiction

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Alex T. Smith is the creator of the much-loved and bestselling Claude fiction series for early readers. He was the official World Book Day illustrator in 2014, and other recent accolades include the UKLA Picture Book Award for Little Red and the Very Hungry Lion and the Children’s Book of the World Illustration Award for illustrating Dodie Smith’s The Hundred and One Dalmatians. When not working, Alex enjoys doodling in his sketchbook, reading, people-watching, and eavesdropping. He lives under the watchful eye of his small canine companions, who are a constant source of inspiration to him.

Reviews

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaarle ja Lordi Nukkasukka lähtevät päiväkävelylle puistoon, eikä se ole mikä tahansa pieni seikkailu! Kaarle ja Lordi Nukkasukka päätyvät jopa sirkustrapetsille asti tässä hulvattomassa kirjassa.

Nopealukuinen seikkailu, näitä halutaan kuulemma kuulla ja lukea meillä lisää.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дундестото куче Клод и най-добрият му приятел Сър Мъхесто чорапче се забъркват в невероятни приключения, когато решават да излязат в парка. И за малко да провалят цяло цирково представление. Но с малко въобръжение и ловкост, успяват да зарадват всички.

[I_am_a_cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like how it started and ended in the middle of a story. It was slow and a bit boring. It got better as it was ending.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claude (a small fashionable dog) and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock - yes, a sock! - immediately set of on an adventurous day when their people, Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes, go out for a day trip.
It turns out to be a very adventurous day!
Children will enjoy the funny things that happen to Claude and Sir Bobblysock. Claude and his friend decided to visit the zoo, but they unintentionally end up with joggers, get reprimanded by a park keeper for napping in a flower bed, and are unappreciated for their clean-up on a golf course. When a baby is in danger Claude and Sir Bobblysock spring into action. The result is rewarding for them in a very different way ... involving the circus.

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Claude books are firm favourites in our home for both my boys (3 & 4) (and parents). Smith has created something witty, a little tongue-in-cheek at times and gosh-darned delightful in the form of Claude and Sir Bobblysock (whose taste in lifestyle is unquestionably perfect). The adventures are funny and I am loving Claude's indispensable beret. There is something welcoming in Smith's repeating opening and closing to his Claude stories and the illustrations bring as much to Smith's world and narrative as the words. Luckily for us, he's very talented at both. These would make for perfect 'taking flight' reading experiences.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable story. Claude and Sir Bobbly Sock, clad stylishly, go out and about on a new adventure. Claude gets himself in a few sticky situations but finds fun in everything he does.

A cute, satisfying, and happy story.

Ages 7-10

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading aloud with 5yr old. We took turns doing a page each.

[Sheri S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the Claude books because kids enjoy reading them and they are pretty entertaining for adults too. In Claude at the Circus, Claude goes on his daily adventure (while his owners, Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes, are out) to a park where he wonders why people are running and why others are upset when he picks up their little white balls on a field pocked with holes. Claude eventually ends up at the circus where he does some "clean up" which serves to wreck havoc for the performers. Overall, I thought this was a very fun book with amusing illustrations!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claude and Sir Bobblysock decide to go to the park and end up getting free tickets to the circus visiting there. Claude decides to be helpful while waiting around for the show, but his cleaning may be disastrous for the performance. Can the show be saved?

Of course Claude would end up doing a one dog circus performance. This is hilarious, and my favorite Claude story so far.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not my favorite of the series. It was cute, but we are not lovers of the circus, so I expect that influenced it a bit. Typical Claude story, cute illustrations, funny situations. Give to fans of the other books.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another funny book in the Claude the dog series. This time he goes to the park and ends up at the circus.

These books do not have to be read in any particular order, and I read two others before this one.

[Tweller83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/1/22: Another in the series of a dog with his sock companion. This time they do things that make the circus workers not be able to do their job then they perform for them. Again, just finishing because I'm such a completionist.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

After Mr and Mrs Shinyshoes depart for the countryside, Claude and his best friend Sir Bobblysock set out for the park, where they have an adventure.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorbs!

[Ashley Aolani Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dog is very talented and so naturally good at performing. I laughed the entire way.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claude and Sir Bobblysock amuse me (and Violet too) - fabulous illustrations and fun story.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saffron would like it if it was longer.
Jiah didn’t see the whole book. He started at the middle at the circus.

I think Claude sure caused a ruckus at the circus! AND at the park.

[Debra (Dragon Nanny) Phiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claude and Sir Bobblysock are two of my nanny girls (5&3) favorite characters. We always get a chuckle from their stories.

[Lian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big favourite or my kids - the illustrations in this series are so much fun and the stories always magical and kooky. Just the way we like them!

[Janika Puolitaival · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaarle ja Lordi Nukkasukka ovat lumoavia, seikkailun lumoa, mielikuvitusta ja ripaus anarkiaa. Suomennos hienoa työtä, kuvitus leikkisä.

[La Biblio Geek · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,7*

[Nely ka ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fina knjiga

[Hamida Chowdhury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is quite short but it was good to read.it also had like a dog's like taking a step out of your bed and going on a true adventure

[Tudor Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mi-a plăcut foarte mult pentru ca este despre prietenie si aventura.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes must not pay much attention to their dog if he's never home! Another cute read.

[Phoebe Murdock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really funny. Claude manages to cause trouble wherever he goes!

[Luvss.Bibiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorr

[ACS Book-finder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another humorous episode of Claude and Sir Bobblysock's adventures. The book has nearly 100 pages, but the chapters are short and this could be read to three and four-year-olds on up, however, many of the amusing situations may be lost on the younger child. I would think eight or nine would be the upper end of the reading audience. This would be a great book for grandmas and grandpas to add to their library for an extended time with the grands!

A rather ordinary Saturday is about to turn adventuresome for not only Claude's owners, Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes, but Claude and his best friend, Sir Bobblysock. Claude, a small dog who appears to be very tired, amazingly comes to life once the house is empty of people! He immediately bounces out of his cozy bed and plans a trip to the park while Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes are off for the day on their own excursions. Sir Bobblysock decides to accompany him, all the while revealing his psychotic fears such as having his hayfever set off by the flowers. The two remind me somewhat of "The Odd Couple" with Claude being happy-go-lucky while Sir Bobblysock following along doubtfully and cautiously!

Despite their innocent enjoyment of all the park has to offer, Claude and Bobblysock cause a ruckus when they get caught up with some joggers, and are reprimanded by the park keeper for napping in the flowers. They try to redeem themselves by filling in holes in a funny sort of field littered with small white balls. They also help keep the park clean by picking up litter. All good! except for the sign that says "WET PAINT" that is attached to a park bench.

They are forgiven by all when they stop a runaway baby buggy from splashing into a pond and receive free tickets to the nearby circus. Arriving early to the next performance, the two friends think they are helping when they sweep all the sawdust into a big pile in the center of the floor, polish the trapeze, and give the high wire a once-over with a damp cloth. After the circus acts flop, Claude and Sir Bobblysock save the day with a few tricks of their own.

The illustrations, also by Alex T. Smith, are excellent. As a teacher, I would like to see this published in a larger format so that the pictures could be easily viewed by a group of ten or more. (reviewed by Carly D. Karns, Music Teacher and Tutor, Alamance Christian School)

We can recommend this book (and its predecessor Claude In The City) as a delightful addition to the home, school, or public library.

DISCLOSURE: A complimentary copy of Claude at the Circus was provided by Peachtree Publishers for the purpose of our honest review. Opinions expressed are solely those of the reviewer. No compensation was received for this review.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claude and his buddy Sir Bobblysock are left behind on the weekend. But no worries, Claude planned his day this way! What adventure will they find today? As Claude and Sir Bobblysock try to reach the ice cream truck they find them selves in the most unusual situations. Which include running in perhaps a marathon, finding a littered park with several holes and balls, saving a baby, and ending in a Circus adventure after meeting Amazing Alan, of Alan’s Amazing Circus!

Bloom’s Taxonomy

Remembering
Name three mistakes Claude and Sir Bobblysock made on their adventure?

Understanding
Explain why Claude ended up performing in the Alan’s Amazing Circus.

Applying
What would be the result if Mr. and Mrs. Shinyshoes came home before Claude and Sir Bobblysock?

Analyzing
How would you compare Alan’s Amazing Circus’s performance to Claude’s circus performance?
Evaluation
What is your opinion of Claude’s cleaning obsession and why do you feel that way?

Creating
What changes would you make to Claude and Sir Bobblysock’s adventure?



Smith, A. (2013). Claude at the circus. Atlanta, Georgia: Peachtree.