To the Big Top

Reach for this book when your child is buzzing with anticipation for a local fair, a circus, or any major town event that feels like a shared neighborhood secret. It is the perfect choice for an energetic bedtime or a rainy afternoon when you want to transport your child to a world of sensory wonder and communal joy. The story follows two young brothers as they witness the early morning arrival of a traveling circus, from the steam-whistling train to the raising of the big top. Jill Esbaum uses rhythmic, bouncy prose that captures the frantic energy of the spectacle while grounding the experience in the sweet relationship between the siblings. Beyond the glitz of the circus performers, the book emphasizes the magic found in hard work and the shared excitement of a community coming together. It is an ideal pick for preschoolers and early elementary students who are beginning to appreciate the history of how things work and the thrill of a grand adventure landing right in their own backyard.