Best Circus Performing Arts Books of 2026

This book, Pop Art, delves into the origins, evolution, and impact of the Pop Art movement. Featuring prominent artists like Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, and Roy Lichtenstein, the book explores how Pop Art challenged traditional art forms and embraced mass-market sources like advertising and consumer culture. The Basic Art Series provides approximately 100 color illustrations, a detailed introduction, and a selection of the most important works of the epoch. Written by Klaus Honnef, Pop Art is an informative and visually stimulating read for anyone interested in modern art and cultural history.

This book, YoYo Tricks For Kids, is a comprehensive guide for children who are interested in learning yoyo tricks. With step-by-step instructions and illustrations, kids can easily follow along and master 20 different yoyo tricks. The book also includes tips on which yoyos to use and how to perform each trick successfully. The simplicity of the instructions makes it easy for kids to become yoyo masters quickly. This book is perfect for parents who want to keep their kids entertained without relying on screens. Overall, YoYo Tricks For Kids is a fun and engaging book that will keep children entertained for hours.

"Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived" is an incredible true story of a boy and an elephant who were born on the same day and raised together in a small German circus town. The book spans several decades and three continents, taking readers on a journey of loyalty, friendship, and high adventure. The author tells the story of Modoc and Bram's triumphs against the odds and their quest to stay together despite the many challenges they faced. This book is a heartwarming and thrilling adventure that will captivate animal lovers and those who enjoy true stories of resilience and courage.

The Applied Anatomy of Aerial Arts is an excellent guide for aerialists, which explains the anatomical rationale for progressions of learning and demonstrates simple movements to achieve coordination, muscular control, strength, and fitness to hang with correct form. Emily Scherb, a physical therapist, has designed this book specifically for aerialists, including those who do trapeze, silks, and other aerial arts, to help them optimize their performance and train safely. The book also explains how to structure a training session, how to care for injuries, and best practices for basic self-first aid. Overall, this book is an invaluable resource for aerial instructors and students alike.

This book is the first-ever guide to self-suspension, offering a thorough and nondogmatic approach to this dynamic movement. It covers everything from safety information to practical rope bondage instruction, with beautiful color photography featuring a diverse range of self-suspenders. Whether you're new to rope or have years of practice, this reflective and nuanced approach has something for you. The author, Shay Tiziano, is a renowned self-suspender based in San Francisco, with more than a decade of experience educating and performing around the world. This book is an excellent resource for those interested in exploring self-suspension.

This book titled "Learn To Juggle In 15 Minutes" is a comprehensive guide that provides easy-to-follow instructions for beginners to learn 3-ball juggling. The book covers 8 simple steps with accompanying photos, hints, and tips to help readers master the skill quickly. It also includes information on juggling more balls and clubs, troubleshooting, and the health benefits associated with juggling. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in circus performing arts or looking to impress their friends and family with a new skill.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Sideshow and Other Carnival Curiosities is a fascinating compendium of curiosities that brings the performers of sideshows to life. The book is full of photography and takes readers on a deep dive into the history of sideshow acts, including the Fiji mermaid, one of the most famous sideshow artifacts of all time, and the Seven Sutherland Sisters, who shared 37 ft of hair between them. It also introduces readers to a new cast of characters, including "half-man" Aaron Wollin aka Short E. Dangerously. Overall, this book is rich in history and full of captivating stories that make for a fun and informative read.

'Flying, Falling, Catching' by Carolyn Whitney-Brown is a captivating story of Henri Nouwen's unlikely friendship with a traveling trapeze troupe during the last five years of his life. Through his experience, Nouwen discovers artistry, success, failure, and forgiveness, which he reflects on in his unpublished trapeze writings. The book also delves into Nouwen's engagement with the Civil Rights movement, life in a community with people with intellectual disabilities, and his personal growth through friendships during the AIDS pandemic. Overall, this book is a beacon of hope, reminding readers that even in life's most unusual detours, we can find healing, peace, and awe. A must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and interconnectivity.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Mind Blown (17) (ANNUAL) is an all-new collection of incredible facts, unusual feats, and hair-raising oddities from around the world that will leave readers in awe. Bursting with vibrant and eye-catching photos, as well as submissions from dedicated readers, this book is a must-have for every curious mind. From a woman who can crush apples with her biceps to a spider that lives underwater, this book is filled with unbelievable stories and images that will blow your mind. Overall, this book is a fascinating read for children and adults alike, and it is easy to see why Ripley's Believe It or Not! is globally renowned as the authority on the weird, the eccentric, and the amazing.

American OZ: An Astonishing Year Inside Traveling Carnivals at State Fairs & Festivals by Tony Comerford is a gripping and gritty account of life on the road with the carnival. Comerford's firsthand experiences working behind the scenes with the colorful characters and legends of the carnival subculture are both fascinating and shocking. From the freak shows to the labor abuses, Comerford exposes the truths about this secretive world. The book is reminiscent of the gritty writings of Studs Terkel and John Steinbeck, with a dash of Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the American road story and the subcultures that exist on the fringes of society.