If I Ran the Circus

This classic Dr. Seuss picture book is a masterclass in unrestrained childhood imagination, following a young boy's fantastical plan to build the world's greatest circus in a simple vacant lot. The narrative, told in Seuss's signature rhythmic verse, bursts with increasingly elaborate and impossible circus acts, from the Juggling Jott to the Harp-Twanging Snarp. It's a vibrant celebration of creative thinking, where a child's daydream transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary through sheer force of will.

What makes this story so compelling is its pure, unapologetic escalation of fantasy, validating the power of a kid's big ideas. The illustrations are quintessential Seuss, filled with whimsical creatures and chaotic, delightful scenes that perfectly match the text's exuberant energy. Young readers who love to dream big and invent their own worlds will find a kindred spirit in Morris McGurk, making this a timeless read-aloud that encourages kids to let their imaginations run wild.