Simple text and brilliantly colored cut-paper illustrations take children into a big top of circus excitement starring leaping lizards, marching snakes, whistling parrots, and the tumbling Zucchini Brothers. Share this classic picture book at home or at circle time. Lois Ehlert, of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom fame, was a picture book genius. "A tour de force. After some exuberant preliminaries, a colorful master of ceremonies welcomes readers to 'the greatest circus on earth.' They are then treated to a series of double spreads depicting an array of performers: Hugo, the world's biggest elephant; the Pretzel brothers; Samu the tiger; marching snakes and leaping lizards; the flying Zucchinis; a lion and his tamer—and of course, cotton candy, snow cones, and a lovable clown." (School Library Journal) "Ehlert's characteristically vibrant colors and exhilarating style find even broader scope under the big top. Performed with panache, her junket gives new life to a favorite children's venue and is well worth the price of admission." (Publishers Weekly)