An amazing new concept in illustrated children’s books, this book, authored by the great grandson of Charles Ringling and illustrated by his wife Barbara Harnack is made in a fashion that could have been molded by the Ringling Brothers themselves. Barbara Harnack followed the Ringling boys dedication to making their own sets and has built every scene in 3-D and photographed the actions that illustrate the Ringling Brothers rise from childhood play to The Greatest Show on Earth (R).

“The Boys from Baraboo, the Ringling Brothers Story” illustrated by Barbara Harnack and written by Michael Lancaster will be released on October 15, 2012. 

retail: $17.95

ISBN – 978-0615655925

Barbara Harnack will join Michael Lancaster for an autumn tour of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and finish in western Florida in December.  Interactive events will introduce children to play and express by making your own characters at children’s museums, bookstores and libraries.  Book signings can share both “The Boys from Baraboo,” and “Ringling, The Last Laugh,” by Lancaster, however, because Lancaster’s novel is adult subject matter readings will be offered at separate events. Barbara Harnack will offer a children’s table where some children may be introduced to materials from which they can learn to express their own stories.

At Ballyhoo we can handle all your public relations needs, i.e. radio, TV, newspapers and blogs, etc to publicize Barbara Harnack’s event at your venue.   We’ll help with all the ballyhoo!  Call 505-474-7564, or email michael@RinglingBook.com or visit us online at www.ballyhoopublishing.com.

A new novel from Ballyhoo Publishing by Michael Lancaster, the great grandson of Charles Ringling.

Something traumatic occurred in the life of John Ringling on a March night in New York in 1936.  Sitting in a bar near Union Station Ringling recounts his life story as well as the story of The Ringling Brothers.  He claims to have had the “Last Laugh.”

ISBN – 9708061565925

retail: $17.95 (paperback 6×9)

(hardcover available for book events)

Michael’s fall tour will take him from his home town of Santa Fe, NM to Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and he will finish with book signings and speaking engagements on the west coast of Florida with special events such as “Ringling Memories,” at  The Asolo Theater of The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art on December 6.

Michael will be accompanied by his wife, illustrator Barbara Harnack, who will launch her illustrated children’s book “The Boys from Baraboo,” ISBN – 978-0615655925 The Ringling Brothers Story for children ages 6-9, in October 2012. In some towns they may offer book events at the same venues, while Barbara will concurrently be touring her interactive presentation at children’s museums.  The couple will  offer free signed images and book marks.  Standard wholesale, discount rates, returnable rates, and other book rates are available to booksellers.

Early reviewers are talking about the novel:

“The author is good at telling a story, with some lyrical and some earthy language. I’m definitely looking forward to this author’s next book, too!”         JNM, Santa Fe, NM

“As time went on I really felt I was in that restaurant bar listening to John Ringling! The author was not afraid to use the vernacular of John Ringling, including earthy language which caused me to research on line and yes I found that in the end of his life he spoke as such. I was deeply surprised at how the story wove its way in and out of circus, complete with the darkness of New York during prohibition. I am also impressed by the story of the Ringling Brothers themselves and now I have real characters behind the names.”                   PH, Santa Fe, NM

At Ballyhoo we can handle all your public relations needs, i.e. radio, TV, newspapers and blogs, etc to publicize Michael Lancaster’s event at your venue.   We’ll help with all the ballyhoo!  Call 505-474-7564, or email michael@RinglingBook.com or visit us online at www.ballyhoopublishing.com.

* Ballyhoo Publishing is solely owned by Barbara Harnack & Michael Lancaster.  It is an independent publisher dedicated to stories, both fiction and non-fiction, of the American circus and Americana. 

Barbara has been creating a new body of work inspired by the early circus.  You can follow it in the mixed media gallery.

  A novel by Michael Lancaster. Release date June 2012. Read an excerpt at RinglingBook.com