Circus of Shadows
by Lidia Brankovic
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Pub Date May 06 2025 | Archive Date Feb 04 2025
Publisher Spotlight | Cicada Books
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Description
By acclaimed author-illustrator of The Grand Hotel of Feelings, this fantastical adventure takes children on an uplifting journey of reflection and self-acceptance.
Lika has never given much thought to her shadow. Sometimes it’s long, sometimes it’s short… but it's never anything more than a shadow. That is until the day it starts acting strangely. When Lika waves a hand, Shadow raises a foot. When Lika sits down, Shadow stands up. Lika tries to hide, but the smaller she makes herself, the bigger Shadow becomes. When Shadow whisks Lika off to a curious land of shadows – and right into a spooky shadow circus – she must look deep inside herself to find her way back home.
A poignant and uplifting book about exploring and acknowledging the parts of ourselves that we try to hide from and embracing the shadows within.
Advance Praise
"Quirky and expressive social-emotional learning." - Kirkus Reviews
"An accessible entry into discussions on the complexity of feelings, this picture book will be returned to time and time again." - Foreword Starred Review
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 885011
This was a cute little kids story! Great for damages 2-4 I’d say! My 2.5 year old really enjoyed it, it was a quick and easy read that didn’t lose her interest. The illustrations were incredibly vivid and the style was fun! I only knocked off a star because I found the title a bit misleading, most of the book was not at a circus. I’m also unsure on why the shadow was misbehaving, it’s a kids book so it doesn’t necessarily need to be explained, but it doesn’t make a ton of sense.
Alyssa C, Reviewer
Loved the message of dealing with the shadows within oneself.
The illustrations are cute and soft. The storytelling through the colors is very good
Mary M, Reviewer
This book had really beautiful illustrations. The concept of the book is geared toward mid-elementary children I believe. It focuses on “shadows” which is a deep concept for children to understand.
Librarian 1426607
Love the art style of this book! The message of accepting all parts of us and working through the unwanted parts are shared through a beautiful metaphor of shadows and a circus.
Kyli S, Reviewer
First of all, gorgeous illustrations! Every page was beautifully done. I really enjoyed the story and the prose in this book. The idea that everyone has a shadow, and though it may appear scary, if we open our eyes to them they may be so scary.
Bookseller 1208250
Beautiful art. A story of a girl and her shadow and a magic circus. A simple story but enjoyable, would recommend.
Pamela G, Librarian
I received an electronic ARC from Publisher Spotlight through NetGalley.
Beautifully illustrated story of a young girl who struggles when her shadow changes and misbehaves. She tries to ignore it and then run away from it, but it stays with her. When it takes her to a secret land and then to a circus in that land, Lika realized how much the two of them could work together. Brankovic ends the story by reminding readers that we all have shadows inside. I appreciate the way she shares that where there is dark and shadows, there is also light and joy.
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