Barnum, Richard

Richard Barnum is a children's author of animal stories whose background is unknown; public information is limited, and neither his nationality nor his life dates can be confirmed. Judging from the five works held in the collection, his writing centers on adventure tales with animals as protagonists, such as Nero, the Circus Lion, Mappo, the Merry Monkey, Slicko, the Jumping Squirrel, Squinty the Comical Pig and Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant. Most titles carry the subtitle "His/Her Many Adventures," indicating a series concept. Through the escapades of a circus lion, a monkey, a squirrel, a pig and an elephant, the stories personify animals in a light, humorous tone with brisk plots, suited to young readers and reflecting the playful bent common in early children's animal fantasy.