The reviewer enjoyed Mr Galliano’s Circus more than expected, finding it a good, character-based story with some poignant moments. They appreciated the likeable adults and Jimmy's special rapport with animals, despite some outdated elements and trite writing.
The reviewer picked up Mr Galliano’s Circus for a light read and was pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed it. The story follows Jimmy, a boy from a struggling family, who joins a circus with his parents. The reviewer appreciated the well-developed adult characters, particularly Jimmy's mother and Mr Galliano, who is kind and cares deeply about animals. Jimmy's passion for working with animals earns him respect among the circus folk, and the story is filled with poignant moments that resonated with the reviewer. While some elements, such as the writing and certain names, are outdated, the reviewer found the story engaging and enjoyable. They recommend it for children who like character-based stories, noting that modern versions have likely addressed some of the more problematic aspects.
Quick quotes
There’s something about Blyton’s books that make them very readable despite the flaws.
On the whole I found myself enjoying this book considerably more than I had expected.
Recommended for children of about eight and upwards who like a good, character-based story