Sewing the Magic In at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
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$18.99
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By Lisa Olson
From her spot at the window, a young girl observes things most people have to pay to see. There are men walking on stilts, giraffes, jugglers, gilded wagons, and a long line of elephants marching down the street, as she works in the costume department for "The Greatest Show on Earth." Join Nora as she searches for her role in creating the magic of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
This is the second book in the Tales from American HerStory series, in which tidbits of American history are explored from the vantage point of a girl protagonist.
BOOKS BY LISA GAMMON OLSON
Dust Flowers / Sewing the Magic In / The Cheese Song / Remembering Green / And the Trees Began to Move / River of Light / Fig Newton Summer
Interviews and Press:
"This is a charming story of a little girl named Nora who is a young seamstress for the circus. Nora is unaware of her part in the grand scheme of it all but she learns that she plays a big part in creating the magic. It's a great story and it flows well from beginning to end. It also includes interesting facts about the circus and the illustrations are delightful! I would recommend this book for ages 6-11."
Reader's Favorite Five-Star Review:
Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite
"In the storybook Sewing the Magic in at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus by Lisa Gammon Olson, readers are introduced to Nora, a little girl who is watching the daily activities of a circus preparing for the new season. Though she is trying to focus on her work, she is unable to concentrate being near the window overlooking ‘Ringlingville’, the winter quarters of The Greatest Show on Earth. Her mother reminds her to concentrate on her sewing, but her excuses are just as varied and colorful as the daily events passing beneath her window. Her mother is sure Nora will be an excellent seamstress one day. Miss Maggie, one of the senior seamstresses, comes and sits next to Nora and speaks about the dreams she had when she was Nora’s age. She shows Nora the magic she has sewn into the fabric. During the show, Miss May Wirth, the greatest bareback rider of all times, comes in and what does Nora see? The big satin bow she has sewn with her own hands.
The story, apart from being interesting, also provides readers with a lot of information about The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus - The Greatest Show on Earth! The illustrations are colorful and lively and they breathe life into the characters and make the scenes vivid. It is a good story for classroom read aloud sessions as it speaks about history in an interesting way that will appeal to children. I like the way the author has woven a story around The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, giving young readers an opportunity to learn about its rich and magical past."
Chris Berry, Circus Historian & Author:
"I have just received the most magnificent children’s book titled SEWING THE MAGIC IN AT THE RINGLING BROS AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS!
The story is based in Baraboo Winter Quarters and tells the tale of a young girl who sews costumes for the Ringling Circus. It is a great story that the kids will love with amazing illustrations (and mentions of elephants, May Wirth and much more!)
Seriously - don’t let this one slip away from you (or your grandkids!)."
April Byrum, 4th cousin a few times removed of P.T. Barnum
"A most delightful children's book arrived at my home today, "SEWING THE MAGIC IN AT THE RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS" by Lisa Gammon Olson. This story of sewing circus costumes is told by young seamstress, Nora. The combination of vividly detailed circus illustrations woven with Nora's story of her circus life observations draws the reader in. This book is packed full of quality circus information. "SEWING THE MAGIC IN AT THE RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS" brings circus life to young and old alike in a most enjoyable way!"
Midwest Book Review (March 2018)
"From her spot at the window, a young girl observes things most people have to pay to see. There are men walking on stilts, giraffes, jugglers, gilded wagons, and a long line of elephants marching down the street, as she works in the costume department for "The Greatest Show on Earth." Children ages 5 to 10 can join Nora as she searches for her role in creating the magic of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus. Unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library "Sewing the Magic In at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus" is the second book in the Tales from American HerStory series, in which tidbits of American history are explored from the vantage point of a girl protagonist."