In warm, homey episodes, the author tells the adventures of an itinerant circus family and the merry-go-round it operates on a Wisconsin circuit in the summer of 1910. Mr. Turner, ten year old Marie's father, decides to buy the merry-go-round when his job fails at the home town factory. Then the fun and the harrowing times begin as they go from town to town, join up with other circus folk, get to know snake men and bareback riders, and rescue themselves from storms and accidents. Success and happiness wait at home.