First In the Village Folk Series of Easy to Read Books specially designed for anytime reading between adults and children of 5 – 7 years old, is Clarissa the Clown.

Written to appeal as much to adults/parents/teachers as they do to children with every verse written in rhythm and narrated by Martin Jarvis with illustrationsin the book version by the Award winning design team the HoBB they are already finding a place as one preferred medium for helping youngsters learn how to read whilst enjoying quality time with their parents or teachers

With each book running to little more than twenty pages .The message of core values of Love and Understanding; while overcoming of fears and self-doubt as the main themes, are supported throughout.

Clarissa finds she is able to fly on the flying trapeze, despite her earlier fears and Majesty the Magician first loses then recovers his adored Bunnikins while Roberto the Robot through the friendship of a little girl, learns to smile and talk although his face is made of steel.

Each story describes the central character in the same way any book would; hence Clarissa the Clown:

Her face is chalk white,
Her eyebrows are green,
Her hat is the tallest
That you’ve ever seen.


And under one eye,
In pear shape quite clear
In kingfisher blue,
Is a very small tear.

Each story creates a minor crisis or drama affecting the main character, with a happy ending resolving all issues.

Thus, Clarissa wanted to:

Sail on the flying trapeze,
But she wasn’t allowed to
Because of her knees.

They had to be stronger
Than hers would permit,
And though she was loath to
She had to admit,

That to swing from the bar
At such a great height
With wobbly knees
Might give her a fright.

*
But then:

In the end when she left,
She was held shoulder high,
Clarissa the Clown
With a tear in her eye.

This time it was real,
Not kingfisher yet.
And it wasn’t dry,
Of course, it was wet.

Author – Andrew Segal
Illustrated by Grant Jesse and Peter Scott of IOL
Childrens’ Fiction – Clarissa the Clown
Series - The Village Folk