Louise Trapeze Is Totally 100% Fearless

Gr 1–3—Louise Trapeze is the exuberant daughter of trapeze artist parents, and her best friend, Stella Dee Saxophone, helps her parents train and perform with an elephant named Clementine. They are all part of the Sweet Potato Traveling Circus Troupe. Louise has been training on a Louise-size trapeze and a tight rope low to the ground as she waits to be old enough to perform with her parents. It is the eve of her birthday, which means that she will finally get the chance to perform. However, when she prepares to practice her routine in front of Stella and the ringmaster's son Fernando (her sworn enemy whom she calls Ferret-breath), something goes wrong. Louise doesn't want to climb high or fall to the net after she does the splits on the trapeze. Later that night when Louise and Stella are having a sleepover, Stella tells Louise that she doesn't have to be 100% fearless. This upsets Louise, who refuses to admit to anyone that she is afraid. The protagonist runs off and hides her brand-new tutu for her performance, and then believing she really has lost it, the rest of the troupe spread out to help her find it. Misadventure and revelations ensue. Louise is an adorable character with a genuine personality and larger-than-life emotions. Her fascination with knowing, using, and explaining big words is reminiscent of Fancy Nancy. The charming two-color illustrations throughout will help young readers interpret the story in this early chapter book.