Praise for Harper and the Circus of Dreams:
"Brimming with charming illustrations and written with flowing wonderment, this is a fantastical slip of a story where magic and music combine to create enchantment. . . . A winsome tale that will make the minds of early chapter-book readers sparkle." —Kirkus Reviews
"This installment is sure to float into the hearts of readers looking for a new adventure." —School Library Journal
Praise for Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella:
“A wonderful introduction to chapter books, filled with fun illustrations, young readers . . . will enjoy following Harper as she finds adventure at every turn.”—Calgary Herald
“In this lyrical, action-packed fantasy, Harper is allowed to use her aunt’s Scarlet Umbrella and later discovers that her cat is missing. The Scarlet Umbrella has magical powers; it leads her to the homes of others who are missing cats. As Harper works with her friends to find the felines and bring them home, they observe new strengths in one another. Dreamy Liesel, ‘with tangled, blonde hair and filthy nails,’ implements plans of action with impressive leadership skills. Liesel's poetic brother, Ferdie, is strong and courageous. Nate, who is visually impaired, assists with his ability to hear incredibly soft sounds and maneuver in the darkness. The kids meet and confront the Wild Conductor, who has enchanted the cats. A chase ensues, with Harper and Nate flying across town in the magical Umbrella. Harper uses her musical gifts to lure the cats back with ‘a song of stars and mist and hope. A song that spread across the sky, as if it came from the heavens.’ The kids successfully battle the Wild Conductor and bring the cats home. Line drawings throughout depict the smartly dressed and messy characters. Ample action keeps the story accessible for beginning chapter book readers. Originally published in the United Kingdom, this lively tale is sure to win fans in the United States, from cat lovers to music aficionados to fantasy fans. VERDICT: A winning tale of teamwork and artistry. A solid purchase for most chapter book collections.” –School Library Journal
“This lushly-written, enchanting salute to magic, music and adventure is so intriguing that even this confirmed dog lover was rooting for Harper to be reunited with her beloved cat. I suspect readers of Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella will be left thinking about their own umbrellas in a whole new way.” –Nancy Krulik, New York Times bestselling author of Katie Kazoo and Project Droid
“Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella is a magical, musical tale that sings with whimsy and charm! There’s not a wrong note to be found in this boisterous adventure, as children save the day as only children can. Fantastical, effervescent, and fun!” –Micol Ostow, author of the Louise Trapeze series
Praise for Harper and the Circus of Dreams: "Brimming with charming illustrations and written with flowing wonderment, this is a fantastical slip of a story where magic and music combine to create enchantment. . . . A winsome tale that will make the minds of early chapter-book readers sparkle." —Kirkus Reviews
"This installment is sure to float into the hearts of readers looking for a new adventure." —School Library Journal
Praise for Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella:
“A wonderful introduction to chapter books, filled with fun illustrations, young readers . . . will enjoy following Harper as she finds adventure at every turn.”—Calgary Herald
“In this lyrical, action-packed fantasy, Harper is allowed to use her aunt’s Scarlet Umbrella and later discovers that her cat is missing. The Scarlet Umbrella has magical powers; it leads her to the homes of others who are missing cats. As Harper works with her friends to find the felines and bring them home, they observe new strengths in one another. Dreamy Liesel, ‘with tangled, blonde hair and filthy nails,’ implements plans of action with impressive leadership skills. Liesel's poetic brother, Ferdie, is strong and courageous. Nate, who is visually impaired, assists with his ability to hear incredibly soft sounds and maneuver in the darkness. The kids meet and confront the Wild Conductor, who has enchanted the cats. A chase ensues, with Harper and Nate flying across town in the magical Umbrella. Harper uses her musical gifts to lure the cats back with ‘a song of stars and mist and hope. A song that spread across the sky, as if it came from the heavens.’ The kids successfully battle the Wild Conductor and bring the cats home. Line drawings throughout depict the smartly dressed and messy characters. Ample action keeps the story accessible for beginning chapter book readers. Originally published in the United Kingdom, this lively tale is sure to win fans in the United States, from cat lovers to music aficionados to fantasy fans. VERDICT: A winning tale of teamwork and artistry. A solid purchase for most chapter book collections.” –School Library Journal
“This lushly-written, enchanting salute to magic, music and adventure is so intriguing that even this confirmed dog lover was rooting for Harper to be reunited with her beloved cat. I suspect readers of Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella will be left thinking about their own umbrellas in a whole new way.” –Nancy Krulik, New York Times bestselling author of Katie Kazoo and Project Droid
“Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella is a magical, musical tale that sings with whimsy and charm! There’s not a wrong note to be found in this boisterous adventure, as children save the day as only children can. Fantastical, effervescent, and fun!” –Micol Ostow, author of the Louise Trapeze series
12/01/2017
Gr 1–3—Ever since the Scarlet Umbrella delivered Harper to her Aunt Sassy with a note from her parents, she has lived in the City of Clouds with her cat Midnight wondering where her parents might be and when they will come to fetch her. A musical prodigy who can play every instrument, Harper longs for the discovery of her one true instrument and the origin of the haunting tune that fills her dreams. One evening, a sweeping storm delivers Skylar, a young storm-stirrer who is part of the Floating Circus that travels the globe. Harper and her friends visit the sky-high treasure and meet traveling performers as well as Skylar's great-grandmother, the lightening-leader. After an unforgettable evening, Harper begins to connect the dots among her parents, the mysterious song she cannot forget, and her recent travels. That night when the Floating Circus vanishes, Harper feels lost, but is encouraged by her friends that "as long as there is a cloud in the sky, there is hope." Another entry by British author and television personality Burnell, this early chapter book is for readers who fancy a bit of sentimentality in their fantasy selections. Anderson's spreads reflect perfectly the wonder and whimsy of Harper's world. VERDICT This installment is sure to float into the hearts of readers looking for a new adventure.—Claire Moore, Manhattan Beach Library, CA
2017-10-01
Harper seeks the origins of the song she hears only in her dreams.She's an orphan, but Harper is lovingly cared for by her aunt and other eccentric residents of the Tall Apartment Block. Harper's three uncommonly talented preteen friends, a silver wolf, and a mandolin-playing cat make up her beloved co-adventurers. In this sequel to Harper and the Scarlet Umbrella (2017), she still longs to understand the mystery of her absent parents, who left only a smudged note as a clue. Harper can play any instrument but has yet to find the special one that will bring to life the haunting music in her heart and dreams. As Harper and her friends travel through the sky one day, carried along by her flying red umbrella, they encounter an ethereal girl, Skylar, who is flitting among clouds that are held aloft by birds and tightropes. Skylar eventually leads them to the magic Circus of Dreams in the sky. There, they encounter numerous dazzling performers and mysterious places, such as the bake shop where, with one bite of a harp-shaped cookie, the mind fills with music. Brimming with charming illustrations and written with flowing wonderment, this is a fantastical slip of a story where magic and music combine to create enchantment. Harper and her friends Ferdie and Liesel are white, her friend Nate is black, and Skylar is depicted with dark skin.A winsome tale that will make the minds of early chapter-book readers sparkle. (Fantasy. 7-10)
