By: Lizzie Furey,
on 8/31/2016
Those who have followed this series will remember that English kl-words form a loose fraternity of clinging, clinking, and clotted-cluttered things. Clover, cloth, clod, cloud, and clout have figured prominently in the story.
The post “Clown”: The KL-series pauses for a while appeared first on OUPblog.
By: Stacy A. Nyikos,
on 12/7/2011
By: Tonto Fielding,
on 10/29/2010
Tonto broke into new territory when he took the art of the clown out of ancient times; a time when he was given permission to, and was even expected, to represent the deviant side of human nature. I realized there was already too much of that about. And the Pope was doing a good enough job of that on his own, anyway. The fool’s errand had become an overpopulated pursuit. What the world needed was a trickster, similar to that of the traditions in mythology. This seemed amusing for awhile--until quite by accident, I stumbled upon the character of the professional subordinate, beset by giggles and clumsiness, enjoying in his own helplessness almost as much the indignation and incomprehension of his superiors. It was a bathos everyone could appreciate: the sensitive soul in the makeup of a fool. That was--until I realized that it would be impossible for Tonto to be the true voice of the people. By nature, I am too idiosyncratic. Freakishly so! I passed the thing on to my old buddy, Charlie. The unicycle thing wasn’t working out for him the way he had hoped, and was looking for a new trick.
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By: Christina Wald,
on 7/8/2010
By: Tasha Saecker,
on 5/13/2009
A Small Surprise by Louise Yates.
A very small white rabbit heads to try to get a job with a circus of animals even though the advertisement says that they don’t want small animals. The rabbit has trouble getting his clown nose on, can’t tie the clown shoes no matter how he tries, and can’t walk the length of the tightrope without stopping. Even eating proves to be messy but when the rabbit gets into trouble, something incredible happens that just may keep it in the circus after all.
The illustrations here tell the bulk of the story. The quizzical animals are large but not scary at all. They help the small rabbit get dressed and root for the little one when walking the tightrope. When the rabbit displays its talent, the book turns riotously funny complete with spitting. I especially enjoy the giraffe who spends the entire book with a leafy twig hanging from her loopy tongue, watching everything unfold around her. A book of few words, this book repeats the few it has for most of the book, saying “I am too small to…” again and again. With such great illustrations, this is the perfect amount of text, offering up support for the pictures but allowing them to tell the real story.
With one large word in the entire book and lots of repetition, this one would be good for emergent readers but it is also perfect for sharing with groups of children who will love the sudden transformation of the small rabbit into a true clown and the laughter that that brings. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
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What could be better than an amusement park? (Well, lots of things if you tend to watch horror movies!). A bunch of kids run happily through the amusement park and are excited to get on the roller coaster. It's a bit scary, but it seems fun enough until the track splits and one car carrying two boys ends up landing in a boiler room of sorts. The boys are pursued by a fat bald man, who chains them to the innards of the rides and sets them to work.
While this was happening, a jack-o-lantern finds life once more and convinces a ne'er-do-well clown that he can help the children. A denture flying fight ensues and then the real trippy nature of the book takes over. The park in essence comes alive, and evil meets its match.
Not technically a Halloween story, this wordless ode to steam punk will have teen readers delighting over the imagery within. Super creepy to this clown-fearin' librarian, fans of Gris Grimly and Burton should approve.
By: Mayra Calvani,
on 6/23/2008
The Secret of the Magic Cards
by Ken Bottomley
Illustrated by Karl Riley
ISBN: 9-780953-1804247
2007
Ages 7-11, 133 pages, paperback
Note: All profits from the sale of this book will be donated to Airedale Breast Cancer Support Group.
The story begins at Benjamin's birthday party.
Benjamin--or Ben--is excited to have all his friends come over to enjoy the fun, but he's a bit worried that the party might turn out to be boring. Luckily, Ben's eccentric grandfather comes over to do some magic tricks. In the beginning, the kids seem bored with his common tricks... That is, until Grandpa decides it's time for some real magic.
A black magic hat and some magic cards send the children whisking away inside Grandpa's hat and a parallel world of live toys, fairgrounds, and an evil clown. The clown has an agenda--to destroy as many toys as he can gets his hands on, and it's up to Benjamin to save the toys and fight the clown.
Middle-grade readers who love fantasy with a light twist of horror will enjoy this tale of magic and adventure. The story isn't horror per say, but some of the segments with the evil clown--and the illustrations--may be quite creepy for some tender minds. The action doesn't let go and there are enough twists and turns to keep young readers interested.
By: Jenny Levine,
on 1/25/2008
al focus, ala, mpow, video
