Lady In The Water by M. Night Shyamalan(11)

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: M. Night Shyamalan
Pages: 64

Summary(amazon.com):
Reveals the narf, a rare sea nymph who lives beneath a swimming pool until she is seen by a person who, after that experience, will someday do something important for the world.

My Review:
"Lady In The Water: A Bedtime Story" is the book based on the 2006 film with the same title. I had seen "Lady In The Water" many times before, but the first time I watched it, I was confused with the plot. However, this book really sums up what the base of the story is without giving away any of the plot from the movie. This book is really charming, and I believe that children and adults alike can enjoy this. I must warn parents now that the movie is rated PG-13, due to some scary parts in the book. This is truly M. Night Shyamalan's best work, in my opinion. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
PS: check out my movie review here
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan(10)

Book Type: Novel

Author: L.K. Madigan

Pages: 320

Summary(amazon.com):

Lena has always been drawn to the sea and has spent her life on the Northern California coast watching her friends surf. As her 16th birthday approaches, she decides she is tired of sitting on the sand and vows to take lessons despite the fact that her father forbids it. The lure of the ocean becomes overwhelming as she starts sleepwalking and waking up at the shore. Then she spots what appears to be a woman's head above the water's surface. Had Lena seen a mermaid? What compelled her father to stop riding the waves and never again set foot in the ocean? 

My Review:

Family secrets, sea magic, surfing and mermaids is what this book is full of! What I really liked most about this book is how L.K. Madigan managed to describe the characters in full detail, and how I was able to picture everything clearly, which is something I really admire about an author's writing style. As the story progresses on, readers will also love digging up the family's secrets with Selena. I have to say though, most of the secrets that were unknown to 

Selena is quite obvious to the reader, which to me, ruined the element of surprise. But don't expect to pick up these secrets right away! The reader has to dig a bit into the book before finding anything out!  This book 

also has plenty of rich romantic moments, and funny lines from various characters. The ending was bittersweet, but very realistic which is something I also liked. Readers who enjoy books about surfing, or mermaids, or both will enjoy a similar book series titled "Tempest Rising" (review coming soon!). Unfortunately, this book was going to be a series, but the author passed before it could be completed. Overall, I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Hansy's Mermaid by Trinka Hakes Noble(9)

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Trinka Hakes Noble
Pages: 31

Summary(amazon.com):
A storm brings a mermaid to a Dutch family that puts her to work for them; but the young son Hansy longs to help her return to her home in the sea.

My Review:
Throughout my years of exploring the depths and hidden treasures of mermaid literature, I have never come across a Dutch mermaid tale! It was pretty interesting to finally pick up something different. I thought overall the storyline was cute and had easy text that wasn't overly juvenile, so adult readers would enjoy it as well. I think the only criticisms I would have is that the story is a bit simple, and forgettable. The illustrations were also very plain, and for a mermaid book, especially one created for children, you would expect the pictures to be vibrant and beautiful, but sadly, they are not. I give this book (**-***) between 2 and 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie