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The Little Juggler
Like many others who have retold the tale of the juggler, the American children’s book author and illustrator Barbara Cooney (1917–2000) dropped clues about her sources of inspiration. In the foreword to the first edition of 1961, she reported having been exposed to the story first on the radio in 1945. She knew that the roots of the story stretch back seven hundred years to a poem from France―her title page describes it as “an Old French legend.” When researching her project, Cooney journeyed to the Parisian library that holds the thirteenth-century manuscript with the best text and the sole illumination extant from the Middle Ages. Among other manifestations of the narrative that caught her attention, Cooney singled out the opera of French composer Jules Massenet, “The Juggler of Notre Dame,” and the short story of 1890 by Anatole France. From France’s retelling of the medieval poem, the American book artist took for her protagonist both the name Barnaby and the profession of juggler.
From these sources, Cooney, a two-time recipient of the Caldecott Medal, made a story of beauty and simplicity to entertain and edify young audiences. In it, she helps them to appreciate how they can offer their services, no matter how humble. Cooney’s gentle masterpiece has lived on from the mid-twentieth century into the present. Dumbarton Oaks is pleased to bring it back to readers once again.
From these sources, Cooney, a two-time recipient of the Caldecott Medal, made a story of beauty and simplicity to entertain and edify young audiences. In it, she helps them to appreciate how they can offer their services, no matter how humble. Cooney’s gentle masterpiece has lived on from the mid-twentieth century into the present. Dumbarton Oaks is pleased to bring it back to readers once again.
47 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1961
120 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Cooney
135 books238 followersBarbara Cooney was an American writer and illustrator of 110 children's books, published over sixty years. She received two Caldecott Medals for her work on Chanticleer and the Fox and Ox-Cart Man, and a National Book Award for Miss Rumphius. Her books have been translated into 10 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 13, 2022
The Little Juggler is a simple, lovely retelling of an old French tale, redone by excellent author-illustrator Barbara Cooney.
On the inside book jacket we get a glimpse of the incredible effort that went into the recreation of this short story. Barbara Cooney traveled around the world preparing to make this book, even tracking down a seven-hundred-year-old original manuscript of the legend about the little boy Juggler of Notre Dame, and sketching in person the locations where the boy might have performed in France. It's easy to see that the rebuilding of this story was a labor of love for the author, especially when you consider that the legend meant enough to her to name one of her sons Barnaby, after the boy Juggler.
The narrative is gently relayed and illustrated with surpassing sensitivity and skill. Little Barnaby is an accomplished Juggler and tumbler in the streets of Paris, but after the death of his father he is all alone. One day he is given a place to stay by an order of monks, but Barnaby is crestfallen by what he sees around him: the monks are intelligent, educated men with many varied skills to present to their God, while Barnaby can do nothing well but perform. Ultimately he dares to bring his skills as a Juggler as his offering to God, and Barnaby is rewarded by a subtle miracle that shows that he has been truly accepted.
Spare and thoughtful, The Little Juggler ranks up there as perhaps Barbara Cooney's best book, in my opinion.
On the inside book jacket we get a glimpse of the incredible effort that went into the recreation of this short story. Barbara Cooney traveled around the world preparing to make this book, even tracking down a seven-hundred-year-old original manuscript of the legend about the little boy Juggler of Notre Dame, and sketching in person the locations where the boy might have performed in France. It's easy to see that the rebuilding of this story was a labor of love for the author, especially when you consider that the legend meant enough to her to name one of her sons Barnaby, after the boy Juggler.
The narrative is gently relayed and illustrated with surpassing sensitivity and skill. Little Barnaby is an accomplished Juggler and tumbler in the streets of Paris, but after the death of his father he is all alone. One day he is given a place to stay by an order of monks, but Barnaby is crestfallen by what he sees around him: the monks are intelligent, educated men with many varied skills to present to their God, while Barnaby can do nothing well but perform. Ultimately he dares to bring his skills as a Juggler as his offering to God, and Barnaby is rewarded by a subtle miracle that shows that he has been truly accepted.
Spare and thoughtful, The Little Juggler ranks up there as perhaps Barbara Cooney's best book, in my opinion.
December 3, 2021
Far superior to “The Clown of God” - and with an ending that makes sense!
February 19, 2016
Stunning colors (especially the blue) alternating spreads with black & white.
January 1, 2025
I couldn't think of a more perfect story on which to start the new year. This delightful tale of a juggler so pure in spirit, honouring God in the way he knows how. Delightfully old-fashioned phraseology, brilliant and colourful artwork. 5 stars.
February 5, 2012
BEAUTIFUL illustrations from the early 60's, a re-telling of a very old Christmas story from France.
April 6, 2015
Gorgeous pictures, a Christian moral tale
June 26, 2017
Brilliant reds, greens and blues alternate with black and white illustrations, in this heartwarming story.
May 12, 2024
Award-winning American children's author and artist Barbara Cooney retells the medieval French legend of The Juggler of Notre Dame in this lovely little picture book, first published in 1961. Trained to juggle and entertain by his father, Barnaby was left an orphan at the age of ten, and used his only skill in order to survive. But when winter comes and audiences at markets and fairs disappear, the little juggler is not sure what to do. Fortunately a monk sees him performing one wintry day, and brings him back to the abbey, where he is given food and shelter. Keenly conscious that he is giving nothing to God, when all those around him are, Barnaby decides to perform for the Virgin Mary and Christ Child in their chapel, leading to a wondrous miracle one Christmas Eve night...
I grew up reading and loving Tomie dePaola's wonderful picture book, The Clown of God , which adapts this story and gives it an Italian setting, and never knew about its French origins until I discovered Barbara Cooney's The Little Juggler. How glad I am to have done so, both because The Clown of God is one of my favorites, and I appreciate having a retelling of the original story it is based upon, and because this is simply a beautiful book, in its own right. The story is beautiful—poignant and engrossing—and the artwork simply gorgeous! I appreciated the background given about the story in the brief author's note, the fact that it was first written down in the 13th century, in an Old French manuscript now held by the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris—there is an image of the manuscript on the back cover of the book—and that it has been retold many times since. I think I will have to reread The Clown of God now, and perhaps also track down Violet Moore Higgins' 1917 The Little Juggler and Other French Tales Retold . As for this one, it is highly recommended to anyone seeking wonderful medieval tales of faith and miracles, as well as to fellow fans of the artist.
I grew up reading and loving Tomie dePaola's wonderful picture book, The Clown of God , which adapts this story and gives it an Italian setting, and never knew about its French origins until I discovered Barbara Cooney's The Little Juggler. How glad I am to have done so, both because The Clown of God is one of my favorites, and I appreciate having a retelling of the original story it is based upon, and because this is simply a beautiful book, in its own right. The story is beautiful—poignant and engrossing—and the artwork simply gorgeous! I appreciated the background given about the story in the brief author's note, the fact that it was first written down in the 13th century, in an Old French manuscript now held by the Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal in Paris—there is an image of the manuscript on the back cover of the book—and that it has been retold many times since. I think I will have to reread The Clown of God now, and perhaps also track down Violet Moore Higgins' 1917 The Little Juggler and Other French Tales Retold . As for this one, it is highly recommended to anyone seeking wonderful medieval tales of faith and miracles, as well as to fellow fans of the artist.
January 3, 2020
Beautiful artwork tells the story of the little orphan juggler whose gift to the statue of the Virgin Mary is everything he has-- his skills. The monks take him in and appreciate his love for the Lord.
February 3, 2021
Not true view of God, little bit of idolizing Mary. The story however shows a little boy giving all he has to give to Jesus and Mary. It is great for a child to see giving what they have and can.
August 31, 2024
One of my favorite stories told in a different way! A must read!
December 4, 2024
This picture book is an adaptation of the same legend that inspired Tomie dePaola's "The Clown of God", but despite being more true to the original French legend it is much lesser known because it is out of print. This is worth getting if you can find a used copy though- the story is beautiful, and the book is absolutely gorgeous. We have never seen a more beautiful Barbara Cooney book.
October 26, 2024
Was not expecting this to get so religious, but enjoyed it nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews