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Emma's Circus
Emma has never been to a circus, so she is especially excited to see a circus parade in town. But her father says she can't go and see it―they have to get their farm ready for winter. So instead...the circus comes to her! This playful, imaginative tale from Candace Fleming will have readers smiling and joining in the fun of Emma's amazing circus.
A Margaret Ferguson Book
A Margaret Ferguson Book
40 pages, Hardcover
Published July 25, 2017
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Candace Fleming
66 books632 followersI have always been a storyteller. Even before I could write my name, I could tell a good tale. And I told them all the time. As a preschooler, I told my neighbors all about my three-legged cat named Spot. In kindergarten, I told my classmates about the ghost that lived in my attic. And in first grade I told my teacher, Miss Harbart, all about my family's trip to Paris, France.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
I told such a good story that people always thought I was telling the truth. But I wasn't. I didn't have a three-legged cat or a ghost in my attic, and I'd certainly never been to Paris, France. I simply enjoyed telling a good story... and seeing my listener's reaction.
Sure, some people might have said I was a seven-year old fibber. But not my parents. Instead of calling my stories "fibs" they called them "imaginative." They encouraged me to put my stories down on paper. I did. And amazingly, once I began writing, I couldn't stop. I filled notebook after notebook with stories, poems, plays. I still have many of those notebooks. They're precious to me because they are a record of my writing life from elementary school on.
In second grade, I discovered a passion for language. I can still remember the day my teacher, Miss Johnson, held up a horn-shaped basket filled with papier-mache pumpkins and asked the class to repeat the word "cornucopia." I said it again and again, tasted the word on my lips. I tested it on my ears. That afternoon, I skipped all the way home from school chanting, "Cornucopia! Cornucopia!" From then on, I really began listening to words—to the sounds they made, and the way they were used, and how they made me feel. I longed to put them together in ways that were beautiful, and yet told a story.
As I grew, I continued to write stories. But I never really thought of becoming an author. Instead, I went to college where I discovered yet another passion—history. I didn't realize it then, but studying history is really just an extension of my love of stories. After all, some of the best stories are true ones — tales of heroism and villainy made more incredible by the fact they really happened.
After graduation, I got married and had children. I read to them a lot, and that's when I discovered the joy and music of children's books. I simply couldn't get enough of them. With my two sons in tow, I made endless trips to the library. I read stacks of books. I found myself begging, "Just one more, pleeeeease!" while my boys begged for lights-out and sleep. Then it struck me. Why not write children's books? It seemed the perfect way to combine all the things I loved: stories, musical language, history, and reading. I couldn't wait to get started.
But writing children's books is harder than it looks. For three years I wrote story after story. I sent them to publisher after publisher. And I received rejection letter after rejection letter. Still, I didn't give up. I kept trying until finally one of my stories was pulled from the slush pile and turned into a book. My career as a children's author had begun.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 3, 2017
The illustrations are colorful and have a lot of happy energy, but that's about the best I can say about a book that in 2017, still celebrates the use of performing elephants, monkeys, bears, and other wild animals. Animal-using circuses are experiencing a slow demise as we recognize the needs of complex wild species, while non-animal forms of live entertainment (including human-only circuses) are still dazzling audiences.
The free pass we give to old fashioned, animal circuses in kid's lit really needs to end. It's becoming embarrassing.
The free pass we give to old fashioned, animal circuses in kid's lit really needs to end. It's becoming embarrassing.
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January 6, 2018This is a really cute book. I think the text is better than the illustrations, but it could also just be that I don't like this type of sketchy illustrations.
August 8, 2018
Text is better than the illustrations, which I found to be distracting.
October 8, 2018
“Emma’s Circus” is a picture book intended for children 8 to 10 years old.
Candace Fleming’s “Emma’s Circus” is the story of Emma, a little girl, who wants nothing more than to go to the circus. However, her family lives on a farm and they do not have the time to go. Emma notices that the circus is coming to her, while doing her chores. In the end, they get to see the circus after all.
I gave this book a 4-star rating. The first thing about this book that stood out was the bright and vibrant colors throughout the book. The overall story was original in the sense of the circus coming to Emma, but I’ve read stories about a child’s imagination. I liked that the characters in this book were typical, everyday people, who have to work and support themselves. The theme of this book was one that I have read before- always remember to have a little fun. The only thing I think would discourage children from reading would be the length, but I don’t believe it will effect older readers.
Candace Fleming’s “Emma’s Circus” is the story of Emma, a little girl, who wants nothing more than to go to the circus. However, her family lives on a farm and they do not have the time to go. Emma notices that the circus is coming to her, while doing her chores. In the end, they get to see the circus after all.
I gave this book a 4-star rating. The first thing about this book that stood out was the bright and vibrant colors throughout the book. The overall story was original in the sense of the circus coming to Emma, but I’ve read stories about a child’s imagination. I liked that the characters in this book were typical, everyday people, who have to work and support themselves. The theme of this book was one that I have read before- always remember to have a little fun. The only thing I think would discourage children from reading would be the length, but I don’t believe it will effect older readers.
August 1, 2018
Emma's family goes to town to shop. She sees the end of the circus parade and wants to go. Her dad says they can't as they have too much work on the farm. The next day a bear on a unicycle shows up at the farm. Emma and he play until supper. Each day he returns with more friends from the circus. Sadly, no one else in her family can see them as they're too busy working. Finally, Emma and her circus friends put on a show for the rest of her family.
Repetitive wording for younger readers.
Counting book from 1 to 10.
Discussion on seeing the wonders around us.
Repetitive wording for younger readers.
Counting book from 1 to 10.
Discussion on seeing the wonders around us.
August 24, 2018
Emma's circus was a cute book, which was very relatable because we have all been told no by our parents, but were all not lucky enough to have what we want come to our house. Since Emma's father said they did not have time to come to the circus, so the circus came to her, and were able to perform for her family. I gave this book four stars because of the creative story idea. The theme of Emma's Circus is dreaming big because Emma's dream of going to a circus came true by coming to her front door.
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Grades K-2nd
Genre: Fantasy
Age: Grades K-2nd
August 24, 2018
This picture book is great for preschool-1st grade. The storyline is easy to follow, fun, and helps kids learn new vocabulary, counting, and numbers. The book is about a sweet girl named Emma who wants to see the circus when one day the circus comes to her, everyday she meets a new circus friend, and eventually shows her family her very own circus. The journey is super fun, and kids would love to count with this story. The genre would be picture book, and fantasy.
January 20, 2023
A little girl who ends up being able to put on her own circus in the barn because a circus comes to town and each animal each day visits her until she has a whole barn full of animals and acrobats to perform when her family finally realizes that she wasn't making up the bears and monkeys that were appearing every day on the farm.
It's not stellar or standout in any way but begs the question of just how busy her parents were that they had NO idea until it was right in front of their faces.
It's not stellar or standout in any way but begs the question of just how busy her parents were that they had NO idea until it was right in front of their faces.
March 8, 2018
Emma’s parents think she is nuts because she keeps talking about all of the animals that came to the house to play with her. Finally, they see on the last day that she hasn’t been making it up. This book is also a counting book because each type of animal comes in groups of 1-10. It’s cute.
https://momsradius.com/2018/03/juveni...
https://momsradius.com/2018/03/juveni...
October 4, 2018
Emma really wants to go see the circus but her family is too busy working around the house to take her. Luckily the circus comes to her and while everyone else is too busy to notice, Emma learns different tricks with a bunch of circus acts. In the end she puts on a show for her family.
August 14, 2017
An imaginative tale about a little girl who longs to see the circus. Good for inspiring imagination.
August 14, 2017
Great repetition and illustrations. Would be perfect for storytime.
August 18, 2017
Maybe if Emma helped with the family chores instead of playing with the circus her family could have enjoyed it a little more.
August 24, 2017
A young girl has circus friends come play until her family notices.
Circus
Circus
August 31, 2017
Too repetitive for me, but good for kids who enjoy books that build on a concept and repeat the same lines over and over. I did like the illustrations quite a bit.
September 7, 2017
Gram and I read this one together
January 26, 2018
A charming counting book with fun illustrations. I actually enjoyed this one more than I originally thought I would.
September 15, 2018
Cute book of a little girl designing her own circus in her imagination and performing it for her parents with the help of her dog.
May 3, 2019
Cute story, colorful pictures, and a resource for practice counting.
August 16, 2019
8/13/19 Read with Julia
December 29, 2019
Especially enjoyed reading this my daughter also named a Emma.
March 18, 2023
What an imaginative little Emma. She dreamed up and executed her own circus.
September 18, 2017
Circus acts visit a lonely girl.
From advanced reader copy.
From advanced reader copy.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews