"Through chilly water, all night long,
the animals swam on,
until they reached an island beach
just before the dawn.
They pulled themselves up on the shore -
bedraggled, cold, and beat -
then staggered to the village
on weary, wobbly feet."
If you are looking for a book that's great fun for your kids as time for the annual circus in May looms, you might want to look for this one!
The weather worsens and the captain prepares to drop anchor and wait it out. He is admonished by a nasty, greedy circus boss whose name, incidentally, is Mr. Paine and forced to continue their voyage. No matter the danger, the circus needs to be in Boston the next day. When the ship runs aground and everyone is thrown overboard, Mr. Paine has no concern for anyone but himself. The animals are left to their own devices in order to survive...and survive they do, with a little help from the island dwellers who appreciate their presence. That appreciation comes as a result of the heroic efforts of Tiger and his special circus skills.
Life is good until a rumor surfaces that Mr. Paine is looking for his charges and approaching the village. The townspeople take a cue from the earlier rescue of Emma Rose and protect their new friends from a return to circus life. Their ploy works and life on the small island returns to one of peaceful cohabitation. The final stanza sums it up:
"And from that day they like to say
their lives were free of "Paine".
It was a happy, peaceful place
upon that isle in Maine."
In an author's note we are told that this story had its beginning in response to an actual event. If you want to know more about that, check for information on the Royal Tar, a steamer that once sailed between St. John, NB and Portland, ME.
The illustrations take us back in time to the early nineteenth century when it was not unusual for a sailing ship to transport the circus from one port to another. In wonderfully expressive artwork with constantly shifting perspectives, we meet the animals, their island neighbours and their obnoxious owner. The double page spread that asserts their safety will have young readers making discovery after discovery. The lilting rhythms and happy ending will assure repeated readings!
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