PreS-Gr 2 Samson, a circus strongman (strong-flea), craves the adulation that only comes with being the "biggest star in the world." So he leaves the tiny Fleabag's Circus and his friends to seek greater glory in the wider world. One friend, Amelie, is particularly sad to see him leave, and tucks a note in his suitcase. As you might expect, fame does not immediately rain down on the miniscule hero, but he soldiers on, training harder than ever. In the end he finds the attention he craves, but realizes that success is not as satisfying as the love and companionship of good friends. It is then that he discovers Amelie's note (stitched on a hankie) and returns to the Fleabag Circus. Amelie has taken over his strong-flea routine, and he discovers that cheering others' successes is more satisfying than searching for his own. The brightly colored illustrations (most spanning two pages) will fix the attention of young listeners. Early readers will find the story engaging. VERDICT A fun read-aloud for a circus-themed storytime. A small but mighty addition. Matthew Forster, Big Words, Clarkston, MI

A flea strongman leaves the small circus where he has been performing in search of greater fame and fortune.The eponymous Samson is a big draw at Fleabag's Circus. Although he's clearly adored by his colleague, Amelie, and appreciated by audiences, readers are told that he feels "empty," so he sets off in search of broader horizons and bigger audiences. Shadowed by a bee wearing a pirate hat and polka-dot pants, Samson pursues his dreams only to find that reaching them doesn't make him happier. A wild ride on a shaggy red dog (with a little help from the bee) leads him home again. Sly humor abounds, much of it in the brightly colored, retro-styled illustrations. There are clever costumes: Samson's leopard-spotted pants (echoed on the endpapers) and high-top sneakers, for example, and the balloon bug's French-mime striped shirt and beret. The funniest detail—one that's pivotal to the plot—is the larger stage upon which Samson eventually performs: a human strongman's head. Unfortunately, the text is not as successful. It bumps along, sometimes rhyming, sometimes not, with little internal logic. Neither Samson's initial hollowness nor his change of heart is particularly convincing and likely won't have much meaning for young listeners. Ultimately, Samson is appealingly offbeat but not quite the big star that he aspires to be. (Picture book. 4-7)

Samson the Mighty Flea is the strongest bug in Fleabag's Circus, and his feats of strength (lifting a match! a pea!) have made him its star attraction. But after a while, he starts dreaming of greater fame, and he leaves the circus and his darling assistant, Amelie, behind to seek success in the wider world. Though the world outside the Fleabag tent is far bigger than Samson anticipates, the formidable flea is undeterred. He trains harder. He lifts a stick! Yet, no one seems to notice. When the Circus of Dreams catches his eye, he makes his debut before a large, roaring crowd op the (human) strongman's head. And there on the Mighty Mustachio's balding pate, Samson is struck by a pang of loneliness for the life and friends he's left behind, and he springs forth to reclaim them. Reed's saturated digital illustrations easily pull readers into the world's tiniest big top. Humorous juxtapositions of Samson's accomplishments and aspirations with the enormity of the world will keep the laughs coming throughout this bighearted story.