Book description
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…
Why read it?
2 authors picked The Circus Ship as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Oh, if just for the gorgeous and relatable illustrations, please pick up this book!
But even more, the catchy rhymes tell a story of pre-judging animals and how hearts become changed so that all can coexist in a vibrant community. Together, we are better!
As a bonus, the book has hidden pictures that my son and I enjoyed discovering each time we read the book.
From Christine's list on The best picture books that promote curiosity about our differences.
A ship of circus animals is shipwrecked off an island in Maine, and the island residents are at first shocked, then come to love having the animals on their island. When the mean circus owner comes back to retrieve his animals and put them back to work, the islanders come up with a plan to hide the animals to allow them to stay on the island.
This book is written as a poem, so it is fun to read out loud, and the animals who are all doing silly things are a big hit with my kids.
This book gets…
If you love The Circus Ship...
The Afterlife of the Party
An interdimensional mixer with angels and other beings brings unexpected trouble for Malachi and his friends in this smart and uniquely funny second book about the squad of teens from hell.
When an angel comes to his home to deliver a message, Malachi immediately knows what’s going on. The seraph…
Want books like The Circus Ship?
Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Circus Ship.
Share your top 3 reads of 2026!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
165
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like The Circus Ship, you might also like...
Scout and the Rescue Dogs
The summer holidays have finally arrived and Scout can’t wait for her adventure in the big rig with Dad. They’re on a mission to deliver donations of dog food to animal rescue shelters right across the state. There’ll be dad-jokes, rock-collecting, and a brilliant plan that will make sure everyone’s…
Floretta
Floretta- the story of an old woman who discovers life beautifully anew thru the helping hands of a child. The chakra colors of dawn and twilight are woven through the pages as the cycle of life is magically composed. The subject of “heaven,” has the potential to open discussions with…
