2010, Texas 2x2 Reading List, Recommended2012, Young Hoosier Book Award, Nominee2011, Beehive Awards, Nominee2009, Lupine Award, Winner2011, North Carolina Children's Book Award, Nominee2012, Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award, Nominee2011, Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award, Winner2010, Ladybug Picture Book Award, Nominee2012, Golden Sower Award, Nominee
With stunning artwork and a rhyming text, the illustrator of the Mercy Watson books tells a tale of human-animal connection full of humor and heart.
When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the poor animals are left on their own to swim the chilly waters. Staggering onto a nearby island, they soon win over the wary townspeople with their kind, courageous ways. So well do the critters blend in that when the greedy circus owner returns to claim them, villagers of all species conspire to outsmart the bloated blowhard. With buoyant rhymes and brilliantly caricatured illustrations evoking the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen presents a hugely entertaining tale about the bonds of community -- and a rare hidden-pictures spread for eagle-eyed readers of all ages.
Hardcover.
About the Author
Chris Van Dusen is the illustrator of the Mercy Watson books by Kate DiCamillo. He wrote and illustrated Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee, and If I Built a Car. He lives in Maine.
