Circus Train

by Jennifer Cole Judd, Melanie Matthews (Illustrator)

Spotlights glow—let’s start the show! As the circus train rolls into town, excited children and their parents get in line for their chance to experience the Big Top. Clowns paint faces and people scurry to their seats. Then the show begins, wrapping readers in all the wonders of the circus. Dancing elephants, flipping trapeze artists, and pie-throwing clowns captivate both young and old. Jennifer Cole Judd’s text is a treat for the ears with its simple, evocative rhymes, while Melanie Matthews’s delightful illustrations capture the fun and spectacle of the circus. Readers will be cheering, Encore! Encore!

Genres: Picture Books, Trains, Childrens, Storytime

25 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2015

About the author

Jennifer Cole Judd is the author of a new rhyming picture book, CIRCUS TRAIN, (Two Lions, March 2015, and co-editor of AN EYEBALL IN MY GARDEN, a spooky middle grade poetry anthology (Marshall Cavendish, 2010).

Jennifer dreams of running away to the circus, but for now is content juggling life with a husband, five children, and slightly overweight terrier. Jennifer resides in Texas.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Great rhyme. I love circuses.

[♥Booklish Reviews♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

NOTICE: Book was won via GoodReads giveaway. THANK YOU!-Shredded Book Reviews
My husband read this book to our son, who is very new to the world, (He's almost 3 months) and he loved it. The illustration is so much better than the early 00's style books. It's short, but sweet. A good bedtime story that we've read two nights in a row.
I would recommend this book to anyone with children. The author and illustrator did an amazing job! The rhymes were adorable, but not overly childish.

And no, I'm not praising this book because I won a copy. (See my stats for ratings with ARC's....) My son is not the easiest person to put to bed. We've tried other books like Thomas the Train...but he really loves the illustration of this one, and the rhymes.

[Romelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debut author, Jennifer Cole Judd, packs in the fun and excitement of a circus into this wonderful rhyming picture book. It is complete with elephants, tigers, clowns, tightrope, trapeze, cannons, cotton candy and more! Judd brings the circus into the child's home.

[Maggie KutsBorg · Rating 2 out of 5]

What is a real circus even like? Does anyone know? Is it all sad animals and dilapidated tents? Or is it grinning exotic tigers and clowning spectacles like in this book, and every other one about any circus ever?

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT book. I need more by this author. My two-year-old granddaughter won't put it down.

[Carrie Charley Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple rhyming text that will fill the very youngest hearts with circus wonder.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. This is a story of a circus train setting up a tent circus . The circus then takes place. Lastly, the circus train leaves.
The rhyming is simple and fun to read out loud. The illustrations are bright and cheerful. My daughter and I enjoyed talking about the illustrations.

[Alley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. My dqughter really enjoys the illustrations, which are extremely well done. Also the written portion is short and very sweet. The book made me reminded me of the circus as it was when I was a child. I would strongly recommend this book for children.

[Tracy J Hora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet with rich vocabulary and fun word choices throughout.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has a good rhyme and rhythm, but several of the circus acts shown are old fashioned and probably not familiar to kids unless they watch old cartoons.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the easy texted. Also the pictures were super cute. Great for a story time for younger kids.

[Jaycee Omohundro]

A fun book that encourages family time

[Maritza Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Circus train spills over the hills." With brilliant illustrations and perfect rhymes the beginning and end are the same which gives it a perfect arc.

[NoelaniK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Won Circus Train from a Goodreads Giveaway (Thank you!). This was such a fun read. My son, who is an advance reader at 5yrs old, enjoyed not only reading this story to me but the pictures. Lots of great opportunities for discussion. Circus Train definitely will leave you excited for a trip to the Circus!!

[Kristi Veitenheimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun rhyming story! The simple, rhyming text and bold illustrations make this a fun story to read aloud and share. There's lots to see and talk about with your child. If you've been to a circus, it will bring back memories. If you've never been to a circus, it will definitely make you want to go to one soon. "Circus Train" is a hit!

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another short read for book bingo. It wasn’t the best book in the world but it did its job. I won’t get into the morality of the circus and everything that goes with it. I feel like it did capture what people typically think of when they think about the circus. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this though as I feel like there are better reads.

[Janette · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nephew loves this book. Its bright , colorful and fun.

[Johnell Dewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent rhyme, soothing meter, great for a bedtime read. The art is fun and suits the story.

[Alaina Maxam · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a really good childrens book. the illustraions work well with the storyline

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 2 and 5 year olds love the book.

[Mariana Farcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great bedtime story with sweet illustrations and old time charm. It takes you behind the scenes of a circus performance also. My kids love it.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful

My 1.5 year old loved the colors!
Will be looking for more from author Jennifer Cole Judd. Thanks for the book!

[Laura-Lynne Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are beautiful & the story is very fun! I look forward to reading this with my son again when he's a bit bigger.

[Sheri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a colorful rhyming book about the circus train that brings the circus to town
and pulls out of town to go on to the next stop. Kids will like the colors and the rhyme.

[Joyce Chow · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 3 year old says so so

The book was OK. My son was not very into it. He rated it so so. He would not recommend it to others.

[Christine Irvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful little book about the circus. The easy-to-read sentences are very short. The concepts are simple. The text comes full circle as it starts with the line, "Circus trail spills over the hills" and ends with that same line.

The story is told in rhyme. It's very difficult to write in rhyme and do it well, but author Jennifer Cole Judd handles the task well. The bright illustrations by Melanie Matthews are an asset to this great little book.