This fun picture book tells the story of Olivia, who buys a circus from Mr Victor. Olivia’s mom is not happy about this and wants Olivia to return the circus but Mr. Victor wont take it back! I like that the use of idiom is clear and a great example, it would be perfect for starting a lesson on this and other figures of speech. It is a fun and silly book, but also has a decent storyline. The main character has lots of problems to solve which is also a great characteristic (perseverance) for young readers. I think this book would be best for readers in the age 6-9 range. Thanks to netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review it.

I'm not entirely sure where this book came from but it was very funny and an enjoyable read. My kids loved the silly cute circus animals int he pictures too.

A picture book is a great way to explore the meaning of an idiom with a group of kids, especially when you can do so with humor. While this book is built on a phrase that is a bit less common, it serves it's purpose well. Not to mention, it's quite entertaining. The tone falls somewhere between Imogene's Antlers and Click Clack Moo. Of course the scenario is silly (a little girl buys a collection of circus animals) and chaos ensues. But Olivia's systematic approach to problem solving serves as a good example to young readers. The messaging will work better with older kids than the very young.

Olivia buys a circus from Mr Victor. Olivia’s mum is not happy about this and wants Olivia to give the circus back but Mr Victor refuses! I enjoyed the emails back and forth between Olivia and Mr Victor.
The illustrations are very cute. Lots of fun throughout! The book introduces readers to idioms in a clever way although it may go over some young readers heads. Olivia learns to be responsible and look after the circus.

Very sweet read that all young readers will enjoy.

Great fun, this shows a girl impetuously buying a circus – the full rootin' tootin' collection of animals. And it doesn't go down well with her mother, or not until they can be house-trained. But by then they've caused a greater problem with other people, and so on and so on – can our heroine have any hope of keeping ownership of the pesky critters? Launched off an idiom (apparently – it's certainly not one I've ever been found guilty of using), this is an enjoyable and pleasantly escalating story, with perhaps too heavy a scatological element to make it really win. (Oh, and surely by this day and age to the target readers a 'circus' is the clowns, big tent and concession stands, but not a parade of African animals?) Still, four stars is probably about right.

Not My Circus is a fun, hilarious book by Janet Sumner Johnson. Not My Circus tells the story of Olivia, a young girl, who buys circus animals from Mr. Victor. Olivia's Mom doesn't like that Olivia has bought circus animals and wants Olivia to return them, but Mr. Victor won't take them back. I laughed a lot while reading it it. I think many people will enjoy the book and believe it would be perfect to read at anytime. The pictures are also lovely! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

Thanks to Capstone Editions, NetGalley, and Janet Summer Johnson for the chance to read this delightful children’s book. I adored the story of a little girl who decides to buy a circus rather than the ordinary groceries her mother sent her to get. Who wouldn’t want to have their own circus? Well, that’s where the fun really begins— because the whole neighborhood has very different ideas about having a circus living next door. I look forward to sharing this book with my little niece and nephew when I surprise them with it. They love books and animals so this will be a hit. I highly recommend this for kids of all ages everyone will enjoy the story and the lovely illustrations.

This was a clever way to introduce younger readers to idioms and their meanings but I’m not entirely sure this would’ve been the best choice to use and expect a proper understanding of it. The story played well into the idea but that might make it harder to understand once again because the whole book depicted circus animals.

A sweet picture book with good illustrations but maybe a better choice of an idiom might have served the purpose of the idea better.

Thanks to Netgalley and Capstone for the ARC of this!

It was absolutely adorable! My very literal child could not be convinced it was an idiom, when they were introduced at the end, because there WAS a circus and monkeys 😂 but the story was fun just as a story. The illustrations were so cute.

Thank you to the author, Capstone Editions and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book uses one of my favorite idioms as a gentle introduction for young children to the concept of idioms. This may sail right over many little heads, but the illustrations are wonderful and the story is told well, with lots of humor. However, I am a bit torn on the story itself, as the premise is of a young girl being asked to do something and instead doing something completely different, that in practical terms would be a huge mess. Overall, a good book to read together, but IMO it would help to talk it through to catch up with the defiance aspect..

The story, Not my Circus, is about a defiant child doing what she was not told. Olivia is sent to the market and returns with a circus of animals.

The imagination and fun in this book is assuming. What child wouldn't want to imagine keeping a circus of animals!?

The book provides children with a lesson on idioms which is clever. Although, I'm not sure if 'Not my circus, not my monkeys' is an appropriate lesson for the ages of the books intended audience.

Whilst there is a theme of perseverance and problem-solving throughout, I question whether Olivia is independent and innovative or ignorant and conniving?

It's written with some fun and the illustrations support that greatly, it is an enjoyable read. Disappointingly, I think the educational aspect is skewed.

This story is so cute! I love the emails back and forth with Victor. Olivia has great problem solving skills and I love that her mom gives her the time to get creative and solve them. My children will love this story and I can't wait to read it to them. The illustrations are great as well.

This was SO cute! I think my kids would love this book. There’s poop jokes that aren’t crude at all. The main character learns to be responsible and take care of her circus and I loved that the original owner wants them back only after all the hard work was done for him. I think it teaches that often good things require hard work and creativity but they are worth it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

Adorably funny story with my favorite idiom. I enjoyed going back to find the mouse's friends

This book was adorable, but also a great lesson in setting boundaries and respecting your own needs, even when helping someone else. I definitely want to purchase it for my library.

First, thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

I loved this book! When I read a picture book, I always imagine how it would be received in a storytime with preschoolers. This is the perfect book for that situation. It is silly and witty but it also has a plot point that is easy to follow. I will definitely be purchasing this book and using it in the new year.

This is a children’s book about a young girl who is tasked with picking up groceries for her mother and instead finds herself spending the money on purchasing a circus.

She soon learns the difficulties of running such a business and it quickly turns into chaos with lessons to be learned

The illustrations are sweet

This book is all about a girl who bought a circus and the struggles that brings about. I thought it was very cute and silly, the illustrations are well done my 2 year old quite enjoyed this book.

This vibrant children’s book tells the story of Olivia, who goes to the shops to buy eggs for her mother, and returns home with a circus instead.

The illustrations are just beautiful and capture the characters of the animals so well. Olivia’s mother is exceedingly patient, and the story highlights the importance of being a good neighbour, taking initiative and being responsible. It cleverly introduces the concept of idioms for a young audience, particularly ‘Not my circus, not my monkeys!’

Thank you Capstone and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had great illustrations and was very cute. It also had a great message. However I realize that I love children’s books more about people than animals so I did not enjoy this as much as I would’ve otherwise.