Cannonball Simp

by John Burningham

Book Overview

Simp is a small, fat, ugly dog. Nobody loves her and she hasn't got a home, so she sets out in search of a friend and finds a family - and some hidden talents that make her rather special. . . . This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0224611232
• ISBN13: 9780224611237
• Release Date: January 1966
• Publisher: Random House (UK)
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Childhood Favorite

I'm so glad to see this gem is still in print. Before I learned to read, THIS was the book I checked out of the library repeatedly and made my family members read to me over and over again until they groaned and begged me to find another book I liked. But this colorful book and its endearing pooch captured my heart and delighted my imagination like no other book at that time. Forty years later, I can still remember it vividly. Now that I know it's available, I'm going to order a copy for myself.

Beautiful classic

Burningham's classic is as beautifully illustrated as any of his books, and is filled with memorable images. It begins as a very sad story about a stray dog, who must face the perils of cats, rats, and the dogcatcher before finally finding her way to a circus, where she is adopted by a kindly clown. The clown is in danger of losing his job, because crowds do not like his act. Simp decides to help her benefactor by climbing into a cannon when nobody (including the clown) is looking and being fired through a hoop at the climax of the clown's act. She is a big hit, and they all live happily ever after. This book shows how a good soul can muddle through in the face of adversity, and how kindness begets kindness. There are many words on each page, making it appropriate to read aloud to K-2nd graders, or to preschoolers who can sit still for the words.

A Great Book for First Time Readers

I got this book for my nephew and ended up keeping it for myself. This is a lovely colourful book about an ugly little dog that is abandoned by her owner near a garbage heap. Eventually she finds her way to a circus after several near misses with the local dogcatcher and a nasty cat. It is the circus clown who takes Simp in, and she rewards his kindness by becoming part of his act, thus enabling him to keep his job at the circus. Cannonball Simp is a delightful story for young children. It is easy to read, has colourful bright pictures but most importantly of all it is a fun book to read.

Great!

The best memory of my childhood are the days spent reading this book. A must have