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The Story Starts Here___________________________

Page 1 - illustration page.

Page 2 - illustration and space for child's picture.

Page 3
This book was created especially for

Nicholas McCleese

at the age of 4

With love from

Grandma and Grandpa

December 25, 2000

Page 4
Nicholas has waited such a long time 
for the circus to come to town.  
He had always dreamed of seeing 
the lions, elephants and clowns.  
Now the time had finally come, 
and he was going to see 
that in the town of Marion, 
Nicholas' dreams can become a reality.

Pages 5 & 6 - illustration pages.

Page 7
"Welcome children, young and old, 
to the greatest show around; 
to the place where animals, magic
 and entertainment can be found. 
Step right up and take your seat
 inside the tent so grand," 
a friendly clown said to Nicholas  
and his friends at the ticket stand.

Page 8
Wayne, John and Larry  
were waiting to sit in their place. 
Suddenly a clown rushed out 
with a worried look on her face. 
"One of our clowns isn't feeling well!" she said. 
"I'm afraid he can't do the show. 
Would Nicholas be willing to take his place?  
That's all I need to know."

Pages 9 & 10 - illustration pages.

Page 11
The clown looked down and studied Nicholas, 
then smiled with great delight. 
"Would you be willing to take his place? 
You are just the perfect height!" 
Nicholas looked at his friends with a great big grin, 
and quickly agreed to go. 
"Hi Nicholas, my name is Coco, 
and tonight you'll be the show." 
Coco painted Nicholas' face white, 
and gave him bright colored clothes. 
He topped Nicholas' head with a bright orange wig
 and put a red ball on his nose.

Page 12
And just when Nicholas was through getting dressed, 
the lights in the tent went out. 
A spotlight shone on the ringmaster, 
who started to walk and shout. 
"As we begin, please give your attention 
to the cage just on my right. 
Where Daniel, our fearless lion trainer, 
has worked both day and night."

Page 13 and 14 - illustration pages.

Page 15
Six giant beasts rushed into the cage, 
as Daniel cracked his whip. 
Nicholas thought to himself, "I could do that, 
but it's something I'd rather skip." 
They jumped through hoops and formed a line, 
and Nicholas thought it was funny, 
when a lion rolled onto his back, 
and showed the crowd his tummy.

Page 16
As Nicholas looked up, 
at the very top of the tent, 
he had to guess the next act 
was a most dangerous event. 
Nicholas saw a clown step forward, 
and jump on a flying trapeze. 
After he swung a couple of times, 
he hung upside down by his knees.

Page 17 & 18 - illustration pages.

Page 19
Suddenly, it seemed to Nicholas  
that everything happened at once. 
Three separate groups came into the tent 
to perform three different stunts. 
First came a clown on a one-wheeled ride, 
as fast as he could go.
Juggling things up in the air, 
he was sure to steal the show.

Page 20
In the third ring was the funniest thing, 
Nicholas thought he had seen it all. 
When a mouse and seal team stunned the crowd, 
with balloons and a big bright ball.

Pages 21 & 22 - illustration pages.

Page 23
The circus fun went on and on. 
It seemed to last all day. 
Clowns rolled in on a fire truck, 
with hoses ready to spray.
Wayne, John and Larry  
were ready for a soak, 
but when confetti sprayed out on them, 
Nicholas saw it was a joke.

Page 24
Nicholas was busy watching the show, 
and completely lost track of time. 
He was startled when he heard Coco say, 
"Get ready, we're next in line!"

Pages 25 & 26 - illustration pages.

Page 27
"Get ready for the big parade!" 
Coco said to Nicholas with a grin. 
"You get to ride an elephant 
that goes by the name of Big Ben." 
Nicholas' eyes grew wide and he laughed with delight 
when Coco pointed and said, 
"Climb up this ladder to get on his back, 
and sit behind his head."

Page 28
Nicholas climbed on the back of Big Ben, 
who stood at least twelve feet high. 
And just as Nicholas was settled in, 
he heard the ring master cry, 
"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid to say 
we're close to the end of our show, 
but we'd like to give you one last act, 
before we let you go."

Pages 29 & 30 - illustration pages.

Page 31
"We're going to have a big parade, 
right here inside our tent, 
but I have a great announcement to make, 
before we begin the event. 
The one who's going to lead the parade, 
lives right here in your hometown. 
It brings me pleasure to present to you. 
Marion's own Nicholas, the clown!"

Page 32
When Nicholas had gotten off Big Ben, 
and thanked him for the ride, 
he went to find Coco the Clown 
and give her a hug good-bye. 
On the way home, Nicholas remembered the show, 
where magic and wonder were found. 
Nicholas knew he would never forget 
the day the circus came to town.

Pages 33 & 34 - illustration pages.