‘It must be fun to dress up and make people laugh’, muses Mr Benn at the beginning of this adventure, newly reissued by Andersen Press to mark 50 years of David McKee’s iconic, bowler-hatted hero. Inspired, by the thought, Mr Benn steps into that magical costume shop, picks out a red nose and emerges through a different door as a clown, with a his very own clown car to drive. A wonderful adventure follows, in which Mr Benn, with typical consideration and generosity, helps the circus folk when they find a bridge down. He meets an old friend too, ex-convict Smasher Lagru, and finds him a job as circus strongman. McKee’s illustrations are superb, full of movement and humour, bold blocks of colour and dizzying perspectives dazzling to the eye. Mr Benn looks as fresh as he did when he first began his extraordinary adventures.
When Mr Benn visits the little fancy dress shop, he enters a fantastical world of adventure as if by magic...
Today, Mr Benn swaps his trademark black bowler hat and suit for a clown costume, and finds himself magically transported to a world full of circus performers, magicians and big top tents.
Collect all four Mr Benn classics in their 50th anniversary paperback editions!
..the very name is enough to induce a warm glow of childish bliss...' Telegraph
Author
About David McKee
David McKee (1935 - 2022) was the creator of well-known characters including King Rolo, Mr Benn and Elmer the Patchwork Elephant, which is now published in more than 60 languages and has its own successful global merchandise programme. David was born in Devon and went to Plymouth Art Colege, where he had a traditional training. On leaving co lege he drew regularly for Punch, Reader’s Digest, and The Times Educational Supplement. His drawings were influenced especia ly by Saul Steinberg and Andre Francois. In 2020, David won the British Book Awards Illustrator of the Year Award and BookTrust’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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