Happy Birthday, Butterfly Sea by Cynthia Mackey!

It's been a bit since I shouted out a book birthday. It seems I'm too early this year...or too late. So, I guess I'll need to scream extra loud to make up for the missing opportunities, today. 

This book had me smiling the moment I saw it. Not only am I hoping for lovely illustrations but the brotherly/sisterly bond looks so promising. How did I know the relationship between the two characters? Well, the blurb sealed the deal for me on this one. The siblings with a large age-gap need to come to terms with each other, and that while bird-watching. 

So, let's take a look and see if this one is as beautiful as I think it might be.

BUTTERFLY SEA

by Cynthia Mackey

Illustrated by Marie-Laure Couet

Tielmour Press

Picture Book

42 pages

ages 4 to 8

Butterfly Sea captures the gentle push-and-pull between sibling playfulness and quiet reflection. As an older sister tries to photograph butterflies, her imaginative younger sibling trails behind, full of curiosity, laughter, and play.

Through a gentle blend of belonging, joy, and connection, this beautifully illustrated story explores how intergenerational bonds can endure through moments shared in nature.

Readers will

A touching look at family bonds and intergenerational love

Inspiration to explore butterfly gardening and mindful observation

How imagination and play can bridge the space between loss and wonder

Perfect for family reading, classrooms, or anyone who cherishes stories about love, memory, and the magic of growing up together.

Butterfly Sea reminds us that even the smallest wings can carry the biggest memories.

As a Tielmour Press promise, every copy of Butterfly Sea sold will support reforestation efforts across North America.

GOODREADS     /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Calming scenes invite the mind to relax, while a little sibling push-and-pull forms a touching read.

An older sister heads outside in hopes of taking photos of butterflies, but her much younger brother trails behind. The weather isn't playing along, either, as clouds darken the skies to keep the butterflies away. Still, the younger brother's antics offer all sorts of surprises.

This is a gentle, slower paced read, which lets the moments sink in with poetic finesse. The watercolor scenes set the atmosphere and keep a peace throughout, even when the younger brother comes up with some unexpected ideas. It isn't as active a read as I thought it might be, but rather, keeps a quiet the entire time through. Even sibling irritation is there, it is coated heavily with relaxation to keep anger or negative moments far away. Instead, the ending bring more calm and peace while embracing wonder and patience.

The text is slower and beautiful with a few lines on each page to set the scene and make the moments and happenings clear. It might be a bit slow for impatient listeners but works especially well for calm moments to snuggle up into. It also invites to dreams and gives inspirating to head outdoors.