The Circus Goes to Sea:

Three-Ring Rascals #3

by Kate Klise

NOW IN PAPERBACK! “Youngsters will find reading smooth sailing and look forward to future escapades.” —Kirkus Reviews For many years, Sir Sidney’s Circus has traveled by train. But one day a letter arrives from Miss Flora Endora Eliza LaBuena LaPasta inviting the circus to travel aboard the SS Spaghetti. Who can resist? The Spaghetti is a floating palace of elegance and entertainment. There’s only one Miss LaPasta doesn’t want Barnabas Brambles to come aboard, because she’s heard he’s the meanest man alive. Lucky for Barnabas Brambles, his boss is Sir Sidney, the nicest man alive. Sir Sidney insists the entire circus, including Barnabas Brambles, accept the invitation. But Leo doesn’t like water. Elsa’s never been swimming. The Famous Flying Banana Brothers have no idea where they’ll put their trapeze. And what’s that large object up ahead in the water? Praise for the Three-Ring Rascals “The story zips along, the text and illustrations are full of playful surprises, and the author sustains a tone of rare and genuine sweetness . . . Rich and inventive.” —Chicago Tribune “Absurd situations, winning characters and plenty of heartfelt moments and laughs combine to make this a surefire hit.” —Kirkus Reviews “A fun pick for fans of silly stories and for reluctant readers, too.” —School Library Journal

Genres: Childrens, Humor, Chapter Books, Juvenile, Animals, Adventure, Fantasy

148 pages, Paperback

First published September 9, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.

Reviews

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am enjoying this Three-Ring Rascals series. This third book in the series starts with an invitation for the circus to take a cruise and perform on board. Overlooking the logistics of this, the circus accepts the invitation and arrives to boards. (BTW they stow the circus train in the hold.) The interplay of the characters and the way in which Barnabus Brambles redeems himself makes a fun read for kids. This book has reasonably short chapters and black and white illustrations to enhance the story.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

On top of Spaghetti
not covered with cheese
they built a giant meatball
when the water did freeze....

Read this book to find out what giant meatballs have to do with frozen water and Spaghetti. You'll be pleased! The third installment in this circus centered series is sure to satisfy the silliest minds.~

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book in the circus series and they go on a cruise ship with humorous if quite silly names. The fact that the story has continuity is a good thing, because many series for younger readers forget about that altogether.
A good solid read again in this series, I look forward to the last two books.

[Checkthebook · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is part of the "Three Ring Rascals," a cute and silly series that goes to 5 volumes. Writing style is what I would term a semi-graphic novel, halfway between prose and cartoons. Parents should pre-check the wedding scene and kiss on p.111 in "Circus Goes to Sea." Otherwise, the series is all fine.

[Laila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a read-aloud to my son at bedtime. He'd read the first two books in the series on his own. It was cute. Totally unrealistic (talking animals, a tightrope made of spaghetti) but good for an elementary school audience in that fantastic, over the top Roald Dahl-esque sort of way.

[Mary T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed reading this series to my middle sons although my four year old has a shorter attention span for it. We had to skip the second one because the library didn't have it, but this one was at good timing because we just finished our family's first cruise. We look forward to reading more!

[Fille · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completed this as my "read an entire book outside" challenge for BTAT2017

I love anything to do with the circus!

[Mamie Davage · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is way better than the rest. It was so funny. Make more like this.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series. It's quick to read, it's very fun, and it's imaginative. Never a dull adventure with Sir Sidney and Barnabas Brambles!

[Pop Bop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Conquers All

This is the third book in the "Three-Ring Rascals" series, which follows the antics of Sir Sidney's Circus, the best circus in the world.

In the first volume Sir Sidney hired Barnabas Brambles to work as the manager of the circus. Barnabas turned out to be greedy and nasty, and has been referred to in every succeeding book as the meanest man in the world. Nevertheless Sir Sidney didn't give up on Barnabas and has worked to help Barnabas improve himself. Many have commented on the themes of kindness, generosity, second chances, and forgiveness that shine through in book one.

The second volume involves a competition among the circus performers to see who is the "star" of the circus, and ends up as a tale of cooperation, teamwork and family solidarity.
These aren't just "message" books. They are funny, silly, charming, colorful and energetic books with wacky characters and situations, that just happen to include a positive sub-text, so don't worry that these will be all preachy finger wagging. The positive lessons are there, but they are seamlessly blended in with wisecracks, jokes, silly banter, wisecracking mice and a lot of sight gags.

So, now in volume three the circus has been tricked by a lonely girl into boarding a cruise ship for an Atlantic crossing. Flora, the woman captain's daughter, is lonely and invites the circus onto the cruise. Sir Sidney and the performers are reluctant to sail, but Barnabas, who is still trying to be less mean and more kind, talks them into going. Once the ship leaves port, the captain/Mom discovers the ruse and is unhappy. So, we have an unhappy captain, a lonely kid, a seasick Sir Sidney, and a bunch of circus performers and animals who all feel unwelcome. That doesn't sound like a recipe for a happy book, but have no fear. Everyone mellows out and has a good time. The performers learn new skills and have new experiences. The other passengers enjoy the circus vibe. The Captain calms down. Flora actually gets to have friends. Barnabas, well there's a surprise there. So, we all learn to be flexible and open to new experiences, and we all have a few more laughs with the gang from Sir Sidney's Circus.

This is a great book as a read-to or a read with, or as a first book for an early reader. Laughs and some sly wit keep it interesting for Mom or Dad. And the whole enterprise is colorful and upbeat. A nice find.

Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Sidney's circus is truly the greatest show on earth. He transports his famous circus on a train and his troupe works very hard on their craft to make Sir Sidney proud. You see, Sir Sidney is the kindest man ever. He has in his company now, some one he has hired, who unfortunately is seen as the meanest man around, namely, Barnabas Brambles.

One day, Old Coal, one of the members of his troupe, literally flies in with an invitation for the entire circus to come aboard a cruise ship and perform for the guests on their voyage. Now Sir Sidney does not agree with sailing, or should I say his stomach doesn't, and he immediately declines the request. But something has gone amiss in the envelope and when it is discovered and read the startling truth emerges that the entire circus has been invited, all except Barnabus Brambles. Why was he eliminated? Why? Because everyone knows he is mean, mean, mean and he is to not welcome aboard the ship for that reason. Sir Sydney immediately takes it upon himself to shelve his maladies and accepts the invitation just so he can show the world that Barnabus is not mean spirited but really, deep down inside, a very good person . He gives Barnabus instructions on how to conduct himself on the trip and sums it all up by saying, "Be kind to all you meet."

The invitation has been sent from Flora Endora Eliza La Buena La Pasta. She is a little girl who lives abroad the SS Spaghetti, with her captain mom who has no idea that this circus group has been invited to perform on her ship. The SS Spaghetti is a floating palace of elegance and entertainment and that is just what this circus troupe plan to deliver. One never knows what will happen aboard a cruise ship but come on board and you will find excitement, danger and romance....yep.... this book has it all. You will be very happy with the storyline's positive message of kindness and compassion, the quirky word plays and vocabulary building and best of all the teamwork and comradery that these circus friends offer to Barnabus to prove he is finally accepted by them and is a man of kindness indeed.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Sidney's circus is invited on a cruise aboard the SS Spaghetti. Though all the circus members feel differently about the invitation, they head off for a trip. When they arrive, they find that a young girl has invited them to sail on the ship and has fired all of the performers. Her mother, the captain, was completely unaware of her daughter's actions and spends the rest of the trip fretting about the circus.

The guests, meanwhile, really enjoy having the circus aboard, even though it does shake things up quite a bit. Flora, the young girl who invited the circus, couldn't be happier having the circus aboard. She finally has friends in her life and has achieved her lifelong dream of seeing the circus perform live.

Barnabas Brambles was originally excluded from the invitation to set sail based on his bad reputation, but he proves himself worthy and while on board falls in love with the captain.

Lots of action going on in this volume and some teaching too; I liked the discussion of wayfinding in the ocean (i.e. latitude and longitude).

Recommended for grades 3-5.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sir Sidney's Circus is the best circus in the world. The circus goes to sea when they receive an invitation from Flora Endora Eliza LaBuena LaPasta to be guests on the SS Spaghetti. Everyone in the circus is excited about the trip except Sir Sidney because he gets seasick. Once they board the SS Spaghetti they find out that Flora is a little girl and her mom is the Captain of the ship. Unfortunately, the captain is not happy that Flora fired all the entertainers and brought the circus on board. She is even more unhappy when they empty the swimming pool (the elephant jumped in) and injured a passenger (he tried the spaghetti tight rope the Banana Brothers set up). But when the ship hits an iceberg she is happy the circus is there to help fix the ship. This is a cute beginning chapter book. It has an engaging story and lots of illustrations to keep the story moving. I really enjoyed how Klise included illustrations showing conversations between the characters. I think kids will enjoy this book by Kate Klise.

I received this book from Netgalley.

[Mari Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore everything Kate Klise writes, and while I was sorely disappointed that this newest one wasn't in her favored epistolary style, the charm of the story soon won me over. This early chapter book is liberally sprinkled with adorable puns, useful and informative facts and lots of graphics. The story is cute, if somewhat simplistic, but perfect for the intended audiences of K-2. This is a great one for new and emerging independent readers. Due to the cute anthropomorphic story line, I do think that its appeal will be limited to younger audiences, but that is an age group where there is an apalling lack of selection and this will be a welcome addition.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free digital ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Circus Goes to Sea by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise – Loved this third book in The Three Ring Rascals Series – comes out September 9th, 2014. My thoughts: love the integration of map skills within the story and also how you can find love in many places. I found it interesting there was no resolution of a few pieces of the story but overall, cute, sweet, and entertaining as always. Never imagined tightrope balancing on a spaghetti noodle, but acceptable with this series! The illustrations never fail to entertain!
“The world will change when you open your heart to others.” – teaching about how to be a better person… love this quote. SS stands for steamship, how long have I been reading books and logically known this but not put into words?

[Elissa Schaeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said before how much I enjoy reading these Klise sisters' books and this one falls into the very enjoyable category.

Once again, we travel with Sir Sydney's Circus, the best circus in the world. This time it's out to sea at the request of a fan. One problem, Barnabus Brambles is expressly NOT invited. Well that seals it, the circus is going to sea in order to show off all that Barnabus has learned about kindness and treating others with respect. This is the story where Barnabus Brambles is redeemed, and what a turn around his character has undergone since his first appearance in the series.

Overall, a fun and light read with lessons about kindness neatly woven in. I'm curious to see where things will go with the new twist on Barnabus' story.

Recommended, grades 2 and up.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Klises have created another beautiful story together. This is the third book in the Three Ring Rascals series though it is the first one that I have read. I was given this book for review as a part of Goodreads First Reads.

This book is divided into quick chapters that are full of illustrations that contain dialogue which continues the story in addition to depicting events.

This book has great learning activity options. Klise's brilliant word play through Bert's jokes is hilarious and will inspire readers to do the same with their vocabulary. Gert's poetry lessons and examples can be used with readers to write their own poems about the story or themselves.

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to try the Klises' "Three-Ring Rascals" series for some time, and I'm glad I finally did with this third installment.

The circus performers' hijinks on the high-seas, from an elephant doing cannonballs off a diving board to spaghetti as a tightrope, will definitely leave kids giggling. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the series.

Note: I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley.

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd entry in "The Three Ring Rascal Series". It is still really good and I am enjoying the series. In this one the adventure begins when they are asked to perform on a large boat traveling over the Atlantic. All of the characters from the previous book are here, which makes for pretty funny reading.
This is a great series for children just starting out in chapter books. The story is easy to follow and fun to read.

[Ginger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC of this book and knew very little about these authors or the book except the book looked fun. And it was. It was a delightful fun book. I am excited to give this to my friends' little girls to read and to read more of Klise's books.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter (7yo) read. "This girl just invited the circus to go to sea with her on the a big ship called the S.S. Spaghetti! The circus came, but she didn't want Barnabas Brambles to come too, but too late! He came anyway."

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

[Hillvan · Rating 4 out of 5]

540L Exciting.

[Kathy (Bermudaonion) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars