Topsy's Big Escape

A delightful retelling of a circus elephant's escape in Wilmington, North Carolina comes to life in Topsy's Big Escape: The Mostly True Story of a Runaway Circus Elephant.

In 1922, Topsy was the star attraction of the world's second largest circus, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. One night after a sold-out performance, a dog's bark spooked her, and she ran away, trouncing through the streets and neighborhoods of Wilmington. Topsy was a hungry elephant and ate many gardens-but no one was hurt. After a few days on the loose, a plucky Wilmington police officer lured her with peanuts and reunited her with her circus family.

Full of whimsical illustrations that bring the busy circus to life, Topsy's Big Escape reminds us that sometimes a snack and a friendly face is all we need to feel safe.