Circus

Steve Pitt is a Toronto-based freelance writer and an award-winning journalist. He has written many young adult and children's books, including Day of the Flying Fox: The True Story of World War II Pilot Charley Fox.

What do Uncle Sam, giraffe-style hairstyles, and pink lemonade have in
common? Each got their start in the circus. An American national icon,
Uncle Sam, was created by Dan Rice, a clown whose wardrobe included top
hat, goatee, and Stars ’n’ Stripes costume. After the first
appearance of giraffes in a French circus, well-connected Parisian women
clamored for coiffures that reflected the strange beasts. Finally,
legend has it that pink lemonade was created by circus entrepreneur
Peter Conklin, who, finding himself without regular water for his
lemonade concession one day, shrewdly substituted a bucket of pinkish
rinse water in which some performer had just finished laundering his red
tights.

In a book that combines solid historical research with big-top
ballyhoo, award-winning author Linda Granfield traces the history of the
circus back to its earliest days in the ancient Mediterranean, profiles
famous circus personalities, examines traditions and trade secrets, and
addresses controversial subjects such as animal acts and freak shows.
Fascinating old photographs and beautiful illustrations enhance this
outstanding book. Highly recommended.