The Enid Blyton Society Galliano's Circus

Galliano's Circus

Jimmy Brown doesn't exactly "run away to join the circus" but it's a dream come true for him when his father gets a job as carpenter for Mr. Galliano, and Jimmy and his parents leave their house to live in a caravan and travel from place to place with the circus folk.

Galliano's Circus

Jimmy soon makes friends with lively, mischievous Lotta the bareback rider, Oona the acrobat and Sticky Stanley the clown, not to mention Jumbo the elephant, Jemima the monkey and Sammy the chimpanzee. The boy's affinity with animals even leads him to train a dog of his own, Lucky the fox-terrier, who is a marvel in the ring.

Other performers join the throng, including acts involving tigers, a seal and zebras. Animal acts are not very popular these days but it has to be said that Enid Blyton emphasises the fact that, while certain animals are cut out to work alongside humans and respond to an audience, others are not. Galliano's CircusMr. Galliano understands that animals learn best through being treated kindly and rewarded — not through being intimidated and punished. He doesn't hesitate to fire trapeze artists Jan and Yol on discovering that they have been treating their dog cruelly.

The Galliano's Circus books are heart-warming stories of a close-knit community, packed with action and excitement. To read them is to soak up the atmosphere of circus life with its glamour and glitter but also its trials and tribulations. The three main books were illustrated by E. H. Davie. A short story appeared in Enid Blyton's Omnibus! and there was also a booklet called All About the Circus.

Galliano's Circus Books, Stories and Games

Mr Galliano's Circus

There are 3 original Galliano's Circus books by Enid Blyton written between 1938 and 1942...
First Published in 1938 by George Newnes
Book 1 of 3 in this category
See review by Terry Gustafson
First Published in 1939 by George Newnes
Book 2 of 3 in this category
See review by Terry Gustafson
First Published in 1942 by George Newnes
Book 3 of 3 in this category
See review by Terry Gustafson

Non-Series Books

1952 saw the publication of Enid Blyton's Omnibus!, a special book that contained five stories featuring popular characters including Mr. Galliano's Circus...

First Published in 1952 by George Newnes
Book 15 of 23 in this category
See review by Terry Gustafson

Dean's Reward Series

The hugely popular Dean's Reward Series featured reprints of many popular series including Mr. Galliano's Circus books...

First Published in 1972 by Dean
Book 38 of 101 in this category
First Published in 1973 by Dean
Book 42 of 101 in this category
First Published in 1973 by Dean
Book 45 of 101 in this category

Old Thatch Series

This is the only book from a main series that was included as one of the 28 Old Thatch Readers...

First Published in 1939 by W. & A.K. Johnston
Book 19 of 28 in this category
See review by Terry Gustafson

Games and Puzzles...

Over the years there have been a vast number of board games, jigsaw puzzles and card games based on Enid Blyton characters...

BeStime Early Jigsaws

First Published in 1948 by BeStime
Book 3 of 4 in this category