Clown

In this wordless picture-book from English artist Quentin Blake - probably best known for the work he had done on Roald Dahl's children's novels - a little clown is dumped, together with a number of other old toys, in a garbage can behind his old home. Immediately setting out to find a new home, for himself and for his companions, the clown encounters a number of possibilities, in the form of children who are intrigued by him, but circumstances - the child in question being jerked away on a lead, a snobby mother insisting that dirty toys don't belong in her luxuriously appointed home - always intervene. Finally, the clown ends up in a rather dingy, ill-kempt apartment, where his antics not only get him what he wants, but improve the show more situation for the family there...

In a tribute to the expressive power of his artwork, Blake's Clown succeeds as a storytelling venture, despite the absence of any words. I found it easy to follow the storyline, and enjoyed the process! I cannot say that Blake's aesthetic sensibility really suits me - he is not one of my particular favorites, when it comes to children's illustrators - but I do appreciate his sense of humor, and the feeling of motion that his work always gives me. I also liked the message, implicit in the story, that by helping others, we often help ourselves as well. Recommended to fan of wordless picture-books, and to admirers of Quentin Blake. show less

Oh my goodness. This actually got a sniffle out of me. So heartwarming, magical. I do believe that even people who are 'scared' of clowns will love this little clown doll and his story.

A wonderful wordless book about a stuffed clown toy who is initially discarded in the trash. The clown makes his way out of the garbage can and has many adventures with people and animals on the street until he makes his way to a home to be a companion to a baby and the baby's mother. The clown helps the baby and his mom and become accepted as part of the family.

The illustrations in this book are energetic and adventurous. There is a lot of action in this book which would hold the reader's interest, although some of the subtle details will be lost on younger readers unless there is significant scaffolding. For me the story line at the end of the book is harder to follow than the beginning of the book. There are nuances at the end that show more may cause the reader to lose interest. show less

Blake is very effective at conveying action in his work, though there is a partially completed feel of his illustrations. The postmodern feel of this book without words is interesting when paired with the almost moralistic ending. Then again, modern kids should help with the housework more often!

Uses: Any study of postmodern children's literature could include this book, which says so much!

Clown might be a wonderful first foray into the world of wordless book because it doesn't seem to require the reader to make too many inferences. The pictures clearly tell the story of a little discarded clown who climbs out of a trash can of other discarded toys. He eventually finds a new home both for himself and his other toy friends. Kids can easily connect Toy Story background knowledge to this tale of friendship found.

Fans of Quentin Blake's style of illustration will love "Clown." Althouh there is no text, the pictures take the reader through a story about a toy clown who is thrown in the garbage, and sets off looking for a child to love him and his fellow toys. The ensuing adventure is silly and humorous. Young children will enjoy narrating the story as they follow the illustrations. The lack of text promotes creativity and thought about the motives and mental states of the characters. Balke's illustrations are unique, colorful, and engaging. This would make a great addition to a children's collection.

A wonderful wordless picture book! It tells the story of a clown toy that is dumped into the trash with other toys. He manages to escape and he goes home with a little girl, whose mother throws him out the window. He gets chased by a dog, whose owner throws him up in the air and into the window of a girl. The girl and her family are poverty stricken. She and her brother take the clown out to the dustbin and gather the rest of the thrown away toys.

The watercolors are beautiful and the story is very touching. It could be used to teach children that there are children out there that are less fortunate than them and to encourage them to donate some of their old toys and clothes.

I would use this book in the classroom to encourage children to show more donate to the less fortunate. It would be a great tool before a coat or toy drive! show less