Wordless Books

Dr Anno’s Magical Midnight Circus

Mitsumasa Anno


An opening page proclaims the arrivial of the Magical Midnight Circus in words, but the following pages portray the show in images alone.

Spread from Dr Anno’s Magical Midnight Circus showing the tiny circus band members

All the performers are tiny and their props are things found in an ordinary home: a book is the stage, pen nibs are juggling balls, and a bulldog clip supports an acrobat.

Spread from Dr Anno’s Magical Midnight Circus showing the juggler juggling pen nibs

With characteristic playfulness, Anno constantly forces us to reassess what we are seeing.

Spread from Dr Anno’s Magical Midnight Circus showing drawn lions transforming into real lions

Even the back cover has to been viewed in a mirror to be read.

Back cover of Dr Anno’s Magical Midnight Circus