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Circus Train

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After moving to a house in the country, Timothy wonders how he will make any friends, but his problem is solved when he finds an imaginative way to rescue a stranded circus train.

38 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

12 people want to read

About the author

Jos. A. Smith

33 books11 followers
Joseph A. "Jos." Smith is an illustrator of many kinds of books and a Professor of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute.

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5 stars
7 (16%)
4 stars
12 (28%)
3 stars
18 (42%)
2 stars
3 (7%)
1 star
2 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,485 reviews10 followers
June 18, 2017
Kind of a weird story, but I liked the illustrations. It was recommended as a level A book by our library.
Profile Image for The Book Maven.
507 reviews72 followers
May 8, 2014
Timothy and his family have just moved out to the boonies, to a lovely farmhouse in the middle of a lovely field. What ISN'T lovely is how far away he is from everything (the closest town is aptly named "Yonderville." How will he make friends all the way out in the middle of the fields?

An opportunity unexpectedly comes his way when a circus train takes a wrong turn and ends up on the abandoned tracks that run past Timothy's house. Unable to turn around, and unable to go forward, the clowns and elephants and performers are stuck--until Timothy uses his ingenuity (and the convenient warping of reality) to have the elephants inflate the train and blow it into Yonderville! Needless to say, he is the hero of the day and has plenty of friends after that!

The fantastical turn of events of the book make this more appropriate for younger children...A little older child might roll their eyes. Still, the illustrations are delicate and lovely.
Profile Image for Kameron.
115 reviews
March 20, 2011
Another great library find! The illustrations are BEAUTIFUL - deep water colors with colored pencil added - amazing. I would love to find more books illustrated by him. The story line was...okay. Kind of fantastical - but Jack loved it and loved the elephants blowing up the train with their trunks!
Profile Image for Lesley Looper.
2,238 reviews74 followers
January 27, 2013
The story had a a fantasy/magical element to it. I liked the circus train aspect of it. The illustrations are very pretty, though I can't imagine the clowns would normally travel in full, colorful performance dress and makeup.
Profile Image for Tricia.
2,669 reviews
September 7, 2008
strange and surrealistic tale of a boy who is lonely in the country until a circus train breaks down nearby and he makes friends with the clowns.
259 reviews4 followers
July 28, 2013
LOVED the illustrations! The story line is very fanciful. My toddler got confused, but maybe an older child would appreciate it.
Profile Image for Heydi Smith.
3,198 reviews8 followers
October 17, 2014
A beautifully illustrated adventure that will dance in your child's dreams. A great one on one read that you'll want to share again and again.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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