Dad Runs Away with the Circus - Hardcover

Etgar Keret's books have been translated into fifteen languages. In 1998, his short stories were incorporated into the literature curriculum for Israeli high school students. He lectures at Tel Aviv University Film School. Of DAD RUNS AWAY WITH THE CIRCUS, his first book for children, he says, "It's about how grownups have dreams, too, and about how life can become a circus if you just let it." Etgar Keret lives in Tel Aviv.

Rutu Modan is a two-time winner of Israel's prestigious Ben-Yitzhak Award for children's book illustration, and she shares the author's sentiments about grownups following their dreams. She is one of Israel's leading illustrators and comic-book artists. She lives in Tel Aviv with her family.

Kindergarten-Grade 3–In this imaginative picture book, Dad joins the circus, travels around the world, and becomes a star. While the tale is meant to be taken tongue-in-cheek, some children may be concerned by the fact that the father abandons his family to follow his dream. However, the story ends happily with the man returning home. Done in pencil and then digitally layered and colored, the cartoon illustrations bring the narrative to life. From the excitement on the children's faces when they see their father perform for the first time to the goofy nature of his persona, the pictures perfectly capture the feelings and hopes of the characters. Despite the questionable theme, this is a well-told, quickly paced story that most youngsters will find silly; Dad's eccentric behaviors will certainly hold their attention.–Scott La Counte, Anaheim Public Library, CA
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