The Butterfly Circus by Francesca Armour-Chelu June Book of the Month

Last month I happened to notice a certain book that was being released, The Butterfly Circus. It's front cover caught my eye and had me instantly wanting to read it and it must have been my lucky day because I was subsequently asked if I would like to review Francesca Armour-Chelu's latest release. I wonder if you can guess what my answer was?

Sisters Tansy and Belle are the stars of the circus, soaring through the air on trapezes like shimmering butterflies ...

Until one night, Tansy falls. Now terrified of heights, all Tansy can do is watch from the ring below while Belle shines above. 

But when Belle mysteriously vanishes and Tansy's shadow miraculously coms to life, Tansy discovers that the courage she needs to rescue her sister may have been inside her all along.

This book is two hundred and twenty one pages of pure joy. Split into twenty chapters, this is a story filled with unbelievable magic; exhilarating adventure and above all else family.

The tale begins by introducing us to some of the main characters, two of those being Tansy and Belle. And the best way to get to know them, by describing their most famous circus act, the grande finale, the silks and flying trapeze. Sisters turning into beautiful, stunning butterflies.

A magical world. A lost sister. A journey like no other.

However, the act doesn't go to plan when Tansy decides to add just a touch more magic to their already dangerous performance. A spectacular jump unfortunately ends in utter disaster.

After Tansy's fall she is left unable to perform. Everyone else thinks it is because her arm is so badly hurt but the truth is poor Tansy is now terrified of heights but she'd rather live a lie than let anyone know her secret.

But when her sister Belle disappears into thin air (literally) Tansy is left with a big decision to make. Face her fears and find her sister or risk being sent to the orphanage and be forever alone.

A captivating and richly imagined world that shimmers with trinkets from the circus and draws you into its irresistible story.

The circus is bought to life in this beautiful tale.

At the beginning of each chapter there is a description of certain circus lingo. I found this to be a real benefit to the story as it enables to reader to gain a better understanding of what they are actually reading. It turned the book into more than a story.

As Tansy navigates her way through and unknown world, it's a delight to see the blossoming friendship between herself and her shadow Rosa. It demonstrated that friends can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Rosa was a true comfort to Tansy as she struggled with her sense of bravery.

A vivd and glittering adventure.

I won't spoil the ending for you but I will say this, it's quite an emotional read and I believe it will have young readers appreciating the family (and friends) that they have.

Charming and enchanting. The Butterfly Circus is a story that will allow the reader's imagination to really take hold. 

I'd quite like to see this book being made into a series. All of the characters have the potential to have stories of their own written about them but I would also like to be shown just how Tansy and Belle progress in the circus as they continue to grow up.

Highly recommended not just for children but for adults too.