Bolton, Reg. Circus in a Suitcase. Illustrated by Jo Hignett. New Plays, Inc., Rowayton, Conn. 1982. $5.95.

Circus in a Suitcase is a 94-page idea book on setting up a children's circus. The author is eminently qualified to write such a work, having organized more than a dozen community circuses in Great Britain as well as the first National Children's Circus Festival there.

A drama teacher turned circus performer, Bolton has a wide range of skills and experiences to draw upon, and an obvious affection for children. Only someone with experience in getting a troupe of . flustered juvenile circus performers into costume would think to caution, "Remember to put the trousers on before the stilts and roll them up over the thighs while strapping in."

This sort of practical information, conveyed in a humorous, informal tone and enhanced by Jo Hignett's delightful illustrations, makes this book well worth the attention of anyone who works with children. ..

Bolton opens by emphasizing the benefits of school and community circuses. A local circus promotes civic pride, enables unemployed adolescents to develop skills which build self-esteem and may even result in employment, encourages people of all ages, temperaments, and abilities to work together, provides wide scope for practical and theoretical educa­tion, and - of course - is a lot of fun.

The major portion of the book devotes from one to eight pages (juggling gets eight) to the following circus skills: acrobatics, animal shows (real and fake), juggling, stilts, clowns, unicycles, strong men, wrestling, hoops, roller boards, balancing, tight rope, escapology, trapeze, cowboy and knife-throwing acts, and fire eating. The final section consists of ingenious suggestions for the circus "tent," ring, music, costumes, and make-up.

This is definitely a book for people wanting to teach children a range of circus skills, and not for adults wishing to specialize in a specific skill. Circus in a Suitcase is not for everybody, but would be a valuable addition to the library of physical education and dramatic arts teachers, recreation supervisors, camp counselors, youth group leaders, or other Pied Pipers adventurous enough to start a circus.