Mermaids: A Magical Guide to the Underwater Realm by Claire Hawcock

Book Type: children's book
Author: Claire Hawcock
Pages: 28

Summary(amazon.com):
Deep down, at the very bottom of the sea, there's a magical underwater world filled with secrets, mysteries and surprises. That's where the mermaids live, singing sweetly in their enchanted voices. And guess what? These beautiful creatures are inviting children to come and visit them! This book is their ticket, and every stunning spread reveals an amazing new aspect of mermaid life. It's guaranteed to capture young imaginations.

My Review:

Unfortunately, I did not really enjoy reading this book. I usually don’t judge a book by it’s cover, but I knew when I picked this up from the library that it was a very girly, magical and princessey type of book, and that’s exactly what it was. The information in this book was too frilly, and it reminded me a lot of the Barbie Mermaidia movie. Also, the drawings had too much going on, some hand drawn and I believe there was some computer art as well. I just don’t enjoy mermaid books that have too much girly magic, but that is just a preference. However, what I did enjoy about this book was that it had pop-ups and pull outs, and it was fun to read the little secrets within them. There was also a few mermaid fables, the explanation of the feejee mermaid as well as the original legend of the mermaid. If you, my readers, are interested in books such as this, I say give it a try. But it was too much in my opinion. If you have a little girl, I think she will enjoy reading this, however, I don’t think adults will enjoy the Mermaidia type magic in these pages. I give this book (**) 2 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Dance by Marjorie Hakala

Book Type: Children's book
Author: Marjorie Hakala
Pages: 40

Summary(amazon.com):
As the sun sets on the ocean, the sky turns pink, then purple, the spring becomes the summer, and a celebration begins. Mermaids arrive, ready to greet the new season by playing, feasting, and dancing in the high tide.
Mark Jones' pastel illustrations capture an enchanting and mysterious world sure to delight the imagination of all readers.

My Review:

There is pure magic within these pages. This book is primarily about a school or a pod of mermaids that is celebrating the summer solstice throughout the night. One of the things that I really love about this book is that it features mermaids from many cultures, and they are all combined and mixed into a sisterhood of mermaids, which I think is something important that young girls should learn; no matter what color skin you have, you can still be sisters. Another beautiful feature about this book is the artwork. As I have mentioned in previous posts, artwork in a children's book is very important. The colors are bright, vibrant and whimsical. Also, the mermaids in this book all have unique-looking tails that come in different colors and shapes. Some of the tails featured have a fan shape, which I thought was very beautiful and interesting. The storyline is a bit short, but it is not written in a juvenile style like most kids books, and I believe adults will enjoy this too. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Sister by Mary Ann Fraser

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Mary Ann Fraser
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):

Shelly is tired of her brother, Gordy. She’d much prefer a sister. So when Coral catches a wave to shore, they are instant friends, even if one of them has flippers instead of feet. They dance and play and eat peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches. It’s great having a mermaid sister!
But when Shelly and Coral get in their first fight, Shelly wonders if Coral might be happier back at sea. Life with a sister can have its ups and downs, but it’s nothing another day at the beach can’t fix.

My Review:

I love the concept of this book, and there is a very unique moral to this story that I have not seen in other books. Mermaid Sister teaches that you may have differences with your brother or sister, but in the end, they're still your family. Sisters don’t always have to be related. A sister can be a best friend that you have a close relationship with. But no matter who you consider your sister, this book teaches that we all have our differences that we must accept. I think this is a very important book for children who are having sibling problems. In addition, there is also very simple, yet sweet artwork throughout the pages of this book. I loved watching Coral the mermaid live in Shelly’s home. Its very funny to see how Shelly has to get used to the changes! I think one problem adult readers will have with this book is that the story is very simple and short because it is aimed at younger readers. However, I plan on adding this to my merlibrary. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Rachel Isadora

book type: Childrens literature
author: Rachel Isadora
pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):
Once there was a little mermaid who fell in love with a human boy . . . The story may be familiar, but Lisbeth Zwerger's art makes this fairytale seem brand-new. This Jubilee edition, celebrating 200 years of Hans Christian Andersen, is superbly illustrated in Zwerger's signature style. Known for her popular and award-winning editions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, Zwerger is herself the recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for lasting contributions to children's literature. The Little Mermaid is sure to win her new fans, and to delight her old ones. The text is an all-new translation by Anthea Bell, and includes many lovely and poignant details that may be new to even those who think they know the little mermaid's story well.

My Review:
I must say, this has become one of my favorite versions of this classic tale. I have read the original, and I have read shorter versions as well as other children's versions such as this one, but the art in this book really transforms the story. I have read quite a few picture books lately, but the images in this are absolutely beautiful and life like! For those of you who have read the original "The Little Mermaid" and found that you did not enjoy it, I recommend giving this version a try. It will surely change your mind. This book is a must read, and will surely touch your heart. If you think this will be like the Disney version, well, think again. Although the ending to this book is quite tragic, it's still a classic favorite mermaid story. I am going to add this to my personal mermaid book collection. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Imagine You're A Mermaid! By Meg Clibbon and Lucy Clibbon

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author(s): Meg Clibbon and Lucy Clibbon
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):

A merrily alluring guide to the realm of mermaids.

If you've ever heard the call to be such a creature, Imagine You're a Mermaid! is the guide for you! Awash with information on all things mermaid, this book offers tips on what to wear (seashell tiaras and seaweed hair extensions), where to live (in coral castles with turrets of pearl), and what to do (look beautiful and maybe make some mischief).

Dripping with mermaid tales, sea scenes, and even some treats to try (mer-ingues, anyone?), and saturated with stunning artwork (including watercolors, of course Imagine You're a Mermaid! is guaranteed to drown your boredom.

My Review:

I must say, I have some mixed feelings about this children's book. What I did like about this book was the fun and girly/glamorous theme and the fun activities a mermaid does throughout her life, daily. There are also a few cute mermaid activities your child can do, such as collect seashells in a jar, and there are also some mermaid recipes. However, I find a few flukes with this story. At the beginning of the book, the authors talk about how a mermaid spends all her time worrying about her looks, and how they don't live very useful lives. This just seems a bit odd to me to put in a children's book. What also bothered me was how much the authors continually list how much a mermaids appearance means to them! Yes, we all know the stereotypical image of a mermaid sitting on a rock combing her hair, but if you were to read stories from around the world, that's not the main focus for most sea folk. I don't think we should instill into young girls that image is important and they have to spend all day playing dress up or putting on makeup. I thought I was the only person feeling as if this book had an off vibe to it, but then I checked amazon reviews. Here is one review that was posted:

   "My daughter brought this home from her school library. Imagine my disgust at a line in this book that asserts a mermaid's life, which seems boiled down to nothing more than being beautiful and shopping for accessories, is "better than being useful." From start to finish, this book undermined the core values we attempt to teach our daughter: that consumerism does not equal happiness, that true beauty can't be achieved through accessories and that it is quite important to be useful. Yes, she is quite beautiful, but she is worth so much more than that. How about a book extolling the virtues of a scientist's life? Imagine the possibilities when we look beyond the stereotypes."

If you are looking for a mermaid children's book, there are more options listed on my blog. Not to mention, the illustrations are not beautiful to me, and seem overly juvenile and overly colored. I give this book (**---***) between 2 and 3 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Tales Of The Seal People by Duncan Wiliamson

Book Type: Collection Of Stories
Author: Duncan Williamson
Pages: 160

Summary(amazon.com):
A collection of Scottish folk tales featuring silkies, the seal people who can take human shape.

My Review: 
It is really hard to give a full summary on such amazing stories based on selkies. This book really dives into the classic Irish/Scottish legend of the selkie creature, or the seal people. What I really love about this book is that each story has a selkie character, yet they are very different from one another and are remarkable and memorable. They aren't just a bunch of selkie stories; they have meaning to them. What I also love is that these stories aren't all happy endings, which makes them more realistic and true. They were written to be based off of the lives of crofters and people who depended on the sea for a living, and each tale has a moral or virtue to share at the end of it. Sometimes, a bad character will get what's deserved and sometimes a good character might loose someone after helping one of the seal folk. All the story endings are different, and the outcomes are unpredictable, which makes it more exciting. The only problem people might have with this book is that a majority of these stories were passed down through oral tradition, which means they were spoken stories that were passed down instead of written on paper, so the language can be a bit fuzzy and confusing. This book is really a treasure to anyone who loves folk tales, mythology or selkies! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaids Most Amazing by Oliver Narelle

Book Type: Mermaid Encyclopedia
Author: Oliver Narelle
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):
"For as long as anyone can remember, mermaids have swum through our stories and splashed through our dreams. . . . " Where did these mythical creatures come from? What if they were real?
Mermaids Most Amazing provides a comprehensive introduction to these beloved creatures, rendered in beautifully evocative, folk art-style collages and illustrations. You'll meet the fish-tailed goddesses of ancient Polynesia; crafty water sprites of the Pacific Northwest; fake mermaids from British carnivals of the 1800s; and the dugong, whose human-like features and behavior have been mistaken for mermaids by sailors throughout the ages.
Including several legends perfect for reading aloud, as well as maps of the mermaid world, Mermaids Most Amazing is a must-read for mermaid fans of all ages. Who knows what strange (and real) creatures you just might find?

My Review:
Although I thought at first that this book was aimed at children because of its child-like cover, I enjoyed it and believe this book, like many childrens books, can be enjoyed by adults as well. What I liked most about this book was that I learned new mer-facts, what merfolk are called in other countries, as well as a few new stories from different parts of the world. I also enjoyed the whimsical artwork. The art in this book is mostly drawn, but if you look closer, you will see things such as the bubbles of the sea are made of beads and gemstones! I plan on adding this book to my mer-library. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Seal Children by Jackie Morris

Book Type: Childrens Literature
Author: Jackie Morris
Pages: 32


Summary(amazon.com):
When a fisherman named Ewan falls in love with a selkie — half-woman, half-seal — she gives him her sealskin as a sign of her love, and bears him two children, Ffion and Morlo, before returning to her own people. A few years later a stranger comes to the village, telling of a land far away, and Ffion and Morlo remember their mother's mesmerizing stories of the cities of gold and pearls beneath the waves. This atmospheric tale of love and freedom is the first picture book written and illustrated by well-known artist and writer Jackie Morris.

My Review:
This is one of my favorite children's books about selkies. What I love most about this book is the vibrant and rich artwork. The way the humans in this book are drawn and painted is abstract, yet very beautiful, as well as the selkie mother and the other seals. However, I really love the author's slight twist on the tale of the selkie wife, which I cannot tell you the end. This story was not written in a juvenile style of language, which means children and adults alike can both enjoy this heart-warming classic tale. I know I am definitely adding this to my mer-library. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaids by Lucille Recht Penner

Book Type: Mermaid Information/ Children's Literature
Author: Lucille Recht Penner
Pages: 48

Summary(randomhouse.com):
For thousands of years, people have claimed to have spotted mermaids in the waves and on the rocks. Some were beautiful with long flowing hair and lovely voices. But other mermaids liked to drag people down to their watery homes and eat them! If you thought mermaids were just pretty ladies with scaly tails, think again. There is more to these mythical creatures than meets the eye!



My Review:
When I first picked this book up from my local library, I was intrigued. The cover image is very beautiful and makes you want to dive into the pages. However, I was slightly disappointed. Although there are images throughout this book are equally as beautiful as the cover, the information on the pages was nothing new to me, and the reader could find it any other mermaid book. I assume this is because it is meant for children to read. Some of the topics mentioned in this book are mermaids from around the world, both good and bad, as well as some of the hoax mermaids, such as the Feejee Mermaid (yes, that is how it is spelled). What I really do love about this book though is the variety of mermaid pictures which show what mermaids look like in different parts of the world. Overall, I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie