When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the circus animals must stagger to the shore of a small island. At first the townspeople view them with suspicion, but it's not long before locals and animals are sharing the island in harmony. When the greedy circus owner returns, the townsfolk and the circus refugee come up with a delightfully original way to outsmart the bloated blowhard, exacting hilarious revenge in the process.
With rhymed text and brilliantly caricatured illustrations that evoke the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen has crafted a stunning picture book about the unique bonds of friendship and community.