Hey Merfolk!
Ive just posted a FINFUL of new content on my other blog, Media Mermaids!
Go check it out to see new commercials, and even some new mermaid movies!
More content coming soon.
-Sirenita The Selkie

More book reviews are coming!

Swim back soon, Merfolk!

-Sirenita The Selkie

#MermaidSummerReadingChallenge2014#

(15) Disney's The Little Mermaid: Tales From Under The Sea by Fred Marvin

Book Type: Collection of short stories/poems
Author: Fred Marvin
Pages: 80

Summary(amazon.com):
Under the sea there lies a special world--the world of Ariel, the Little Mermaid--a world that fans of the movie are reluctant to leave. Now they won't have to, for here are over 20 original stories and poems to provide a new look into the lives of favorite Little Mermaid characters.

My Review:
Ariel is a character I have always had a connection with since I was a child, so I am always looking for new books about her life and what happened before Prince Eric! This book was perfectly written, and I must applaud the author for recreating The Little Mermaid amazingly. First, I have to mention the illustrations. I'm not sure who the illustrator was, but fintastic job! The colors, the way Ariel was drawn... it looked as if it came off a Disney animator's desk. What I love about the short stories and poems is that Marvin was able to write these pieces in an easy fashion for children to enjoy and understand, but adults who love Ariel as much as I do, will also enjoy reading this. I also love that each story is only a couple of pages, but crafted beautifully. As I was reading this, I was reminded of The Little Mermaid show I used to watch as a kid, wondering what adventure I would watch that day. There is a story for each character in the movie including almost all of Ariel's sisters, King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian, Flounder, Scuttle and of course, Ariel! I really love that Marvin added Ariel's sisters to this collection; it helps them establish a distinguishing identity since the poor mermaids were lost in almost every movie! Only one story bothered me a little, and that was Adella's. For some reason, Marvin decided to make her extremely vain, self-centered and quite nasty, but I have never seen any of the mer sisters possess any qualities like this. I really loved reading this book, and if you love Ariel as much as I do, then definitely check this out! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(14) The Unseen World Of Poppy Malone: A Mischeif Of Mermaids by Suzanne Harper

Book Type: Novel
Author: Suzanne Harper
Pages: 288

Summary(goodreads.com):
Nine-year-old Poppy Malone’s parents are paranormal investigators. They research vampires, fairies, UFOs, and other strange things. When they need help, it’s up to scientific Poppy. Her twin brother, Will, is too lazy. Her older sister, Franny, is too busy with teenage stuff. And Rolly, the baby of the family, is too little.

In the third book in the spooky and hilarious Unseen World of Poppy Malone series, A Mischief of Mermaids, Poppy makes friends with Nerissa, a mermaid who lives in Lake Travis. When Franny messes with Nerissa’s magic, she gets transformed into a mermaid herself, and Poppy has to figure out how to turn her sister back into a human.

My Review:
I have some mixed feelings towards this book. While I find that I liked some qualities of the plot and characters, other characteristics grew boring and just didn't make much sense. I was first lured into the story by the immediate mentioning of monsters and sea beasts, and the thought that perhaps there is more than just mermaids in this lake. Sadly, after the first couple of pages, I became annoyed at the characters and was enjoying the book less and less with each page turn. It seems as if the adults act like immature children, boasting and arguing who is the best paranormal investigator, and Poppy's dad is very pompous. Put your ego away, Dad! 

UFOs ...? Aliens...?
I also felt that this book was three quarters about UFOs and aliens, and one part mermaids. Much of the plot involves the parents searching for UFOs, and surprisingly had a lot of the parents dialogue as well. This immediately bored me. Poppy's character is a bit out of the norm, and I find her unrelatable for children in middle school or younger. 
What 10- year - old reads scientific journals and articles? What 10 - year- old even knows what insurance is?? Its just unrealistic.

Finally! Mermaids!
 After reading half the book, I finally found some mermaids! These mermaids are evil and malicious, all except Nerissa, the main mermaid character. She reminds me a lot of Ariel; she is the youngest, she has reddish hair and has a curiosity/interest in human beings and I really liked her fiery personality. The cover of the book is misleading though. Although these mermaids seem nice (and identical) they are actually pretty nasty and all four of them look different. Ariadne has beautiful long blonde hair, Kali has more of an attitude with black spikey hair and Coralie, the matriarch is the oldest with silver hair. I wish this was depicted on the cover.
Overall, I felt that the book focused too much on alien hunting and the eccentric family to the point where I forgot that the book is even about mermaids. It was also boring in some spots and not really eventful. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(13) Mermaids in the Backyard by Catherine Hapka

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Catherine Hapka
Pages: 112

Summary(goodreads.com):
Lindy doesn't want to move to the bug house. That's what she calls her family's new beachfront house on stilts. She misses her best friend and her life back in Chicago. But her feelings change during a storm when Lindy hears a cry for help
 . . . from a mermaid! Are there really mermaids in Lindy's backyard? And if so, what can one clumsy girl do to help them?


My Review:
I would first like to state that this book is great for mer-children learning to read chapters. It features short chapters and large text, with the occasional black-and-white picture, but the book was not written in a juvenile way, so adults can enjoy it as well. What I loved about this book was the mermaids Coral and Sealily. They reminded me both of Ariel and her sisters, as well as the way me and my little cousins used to play and tease each other as children. This book almost reminds me of the stories I wrote as a young mergirl, and this put a smile on my face as I continued to read on. I also loved the little yellow seahorse, Finneus. he reminds me of a cat, and has a bit of independence for a little creature! One of the most funniest moments was when he spits water in Sealily's face for trying to make him do tricks, which actually made me laugh :) 
One character really annoyed me, a little boy named Matthew. He is such a brat and aggravated me just reading about him!  He reminds me of all the little bratty kids that run around beaches, looking to disrupt and bother ocean life, or the kids that take wild animals home as pets. Ugh! 
Most of all, this book deals with the uncomfortable issue of moving to another house in a completely new place while adjusting to a new lifestyle as well. I believe young mers who are moving soon should take a look at this book. I believe it will offer some comfort and show them how to be optimistic in troubling times. I loved this whimsical short book, and I would recommend it as a summer read! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(12) The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: K.G. Campbell
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
Each of King Neptune's 50 mermaid daughters boasts a special talent, except for little Minnow, who seems to be good only?at asking questions. When she finds a strange object, Minnow follows her questions to a wondrous place and finds answers, including the answer to the most important question of all: Who am I? A gorgeously illustrated story about finding one's purpose.

My Review:
When I first picked this book up from the library, I was startled by the cover. It's dark colors give off a depressing vibe, but I was wrong! This children's book is totally original and brilliantly written. I instantly fell in love with Minnow, the curious little mermaid who is teased for wanting to learn about her surroundings. Minnow seems to be the youngest mermaid, and she is trying to find her place amongst her 50 sisters! I kept saying to myself, "poor Minnow." She is so smart and curious, which causes her to be teased and even called useless for it. I can see young girls who are remarkably smart and desire to learn have a connection with this book, especially young mer-children who excel past their age and are teased for it.
In addition to the main character who captured my heart, I also loved the artwork, which reminded me of the book, The Melancholic Mermaid. The mermaids are beautifully detailed and gorgeous! There is also this little pet seahorse that hangs around Minnow, who also captured my attention because he's adorable. The way the story is written can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. It is beautifully written, and I definitely recommend checking this out. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(11) Disney's The Little Mermaid: A Big Golden Book by Michael Teitelbaum

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Michael Teitelbaum
Pages: N/A

Summary(amazon.com):

A beautiful young mermaid falls in love with a handsome prince and sacrifices a great deal in hopes of marrying him.

My Review:

When I first began this book, I was excited, especially since the cover is beautiful! However, I was surprised to see that the book skips over some detailed scenes, and the quotes are not exact. Some quotes are even added in, which kind of annoyed me. Although the text is not juvenile, the illustrations are bland. Overall, this particular The Little Mermaid book does not have any special qualities. I suggest looking at my Books For Little Mermaids page to find a better version. I give this book (***) 3 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

(10) Walt Disney's Classics The Little Mermaid by Walt Disney Company

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Walt Disney Company
Pages: 40

Summary:
Based on The Little Mermaid by Walt Disney Company

My Review:
I am extremely disappointed with this The Little Mermaid book. What ruined this book for me completely was the illustrations; they're poorly constructed and they lack bright color that is normally associated with Disney. The art almost reminds me of concept art, basic sketches with experimental coloring. Here are some examples:

 

In addition, I feel that the way the story was written was boring and there was not anything special about it at all. I give this book (*) 1 star.

-Sirenita The Selkie

(9) The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Glittering Sea by Sheryl Kahn

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Sheryl Kahn
Pages: 12

Summary(goodreads.com):
Sebastian takes Ariel on a sparkling undersea tour to show her the wonders in her own backyard. Shimmering foil decorates the pages of this simple board book that's perfect for little ones.


My Review:
Shimmering and glittering and full of color... this is what children's books are all about! What I love about this book is that the colors immediately jump off the page and capture the reader's interest, and the shiny foil elements are cool! I also loved that the text was not juvenile, and adults will be able to enjoy it as well. This is a really cute and short story, but the only complaint I have is that Ariel barely talks in the whole book, and where is Flounder? Ariel and Flounder never part! I love this. (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(8) Barbie In A Mermaid Tale: A Fairy-Tail Adventure by Mary Man-Kong

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Mary Man-Kong
Pages: 16

Summary:
Based on the movie, Barbie In A Mermaid Tale


My Review:
I'm so surprised how many Barbie In A Mermaid Tale books there are! For the full list, check on my page titled Books For Little Mermaids. What I liked about this version was it used more adult language, as if I was reading a story instead of a child's book. I also like how it kept most of the original quotes from the movie, and the images were also very stunning as well. However, I believe the big golden book (also listed on Books For Little Mermaids) is much more captivating for a younger audience. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(7) Barbie In A Mermaid Tale 2 Surf Princess by Chelsea Eberly

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Chelsea Eberly
Pages: 32

Summary
Based off the movie, Barbie In A Mermaid Tale 2

My Review:
As I have previously mentioned on other blog posts, Step Into Reading is a really great resource for mer-children learning to read, especially when it involves characters like Ariel or Merliah! I am still impressed that they manage to keep such a great amount of detailed simplified for young children. I also loved the illustrations, which are bright, vibrant, and scream mermaid! Although children will love this book, adults may find it boring due to the large text and simple sentences, but it is great inspiration for people who love Barbie, and love to draw, like me :)
I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(6) The Little Mermaid: Ariel Above The Sea by Lyn Calder

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Lyn Calder
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):

After spying Prince Eric on his ship, Ariel the mermaid dreams of living permanently above the sea.

My Review:

After noticing the title, I figured that this book would be different from the story of The Little Mermaid. However, it is the Disney original, but it is unfortunately very bland, even for a children's book. The text itself is juvenile and simple, and written for mer-children learning to read words and short sentences. The illustrations are flat, and I would've liked to see brighter colors expected of a Disney story. The illustrator's work is not all there; an example is how Ariel's sisters are drawn, with missing detail that was just lacking. I don't think this short story/first reader book is the best to keep children's attention, nor is it one of the best to add to a mer-readers collection. I give this book (**) 2 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

(5) Sybil The Backpack Fairy Volume #2 "Amanite" by Michel Rodrigue and Manuela Razzi

Book Type: Graphic novel
Author(s): Michel Rodrigue and Manuela Razzi
Pages: 48


                                                                     Summary(amazon.com):

Nina loves having her backpack fairy Sybil around! Nina is the only person who can see or hear Sybil and the two have formed a special bond. But when Sybil unexpectedly disappears, a new fairy named Amanite shows up to take her place. Amanite brings Nina to a magical underwater world, where Nina is magically transformed into a tiny mermaid! But then things go horribly wrong when sea monsters decide that Nina look mighty delicious! Where’s Sybil when Nina really needs her?

My Review:

I have to admit, I was slightly nervous when I saw that this book is a graphic novel. I have not had much luck finding a graphic novel that captured my interest, but my thoughts changed quickly with Sybil The Backpack Fairy! When I first began reading this, I was immediately captured into the fairy/monster world. I was also able to follow this easier than most graphic novels. I was also happy that although this is the second book in a series, I was able to understand what was happening. I also loved that this is a perfect example of a Young Adult book.

This book is great for kids facing rough times in high school, and covers topics like bullying, especially amongst young girls, and also finding that balance of making your parents proud and being yourself. Nina, the main character is around 12 years old, and I find her very relatable. She is a perfect example of the conflicts of emotions that young girls face. I also love her character design; she is absolutely beautiful as a mermaid! Overall, I thought this story was beautifully designed with the young adult in mind, and was filled with amazing underwater beings! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

(4) Thora and the Green Sea-Unicorn by Gillian Johnson

Book Type: Novel
Author: Gilian Johnson
Pages: 288

Summary(amazon.com):
Thora - half-mermaid, half-human - sails to London with her mermaid mother, Cosmo the peacock, and her newest friend, Shirley the sea horse. P. Poutine - a mermaid Cruella de Vil. Pamela will steal anything she can - including Shirley, who's a rare and priceless green dragon sea horse. And when Pamela finds out that Thora has the legendary projectionist's ring, she'll stop at nothing to get her hands on it ...

My Review:
*To read the first book in the Thora series, click HERE.
After reading the first Thora book, I was excited to learn that there are more adventures with the fun-loving half mermaid! Just like the first book in the Thora series, this one continued to make me laugh; Cosmo the peacock gets a rain bonnet since its always rainy in London, and Shirley the sea unicorn is a cunning little creature. She is defiant, curious and totally different and unique! She is also spunky and a bit of a brat, which also makes it funny. She reminds me of an angry buzzing bee when she gets mad. I also loved Louella, Thora's new human friend who has a fascination with the sea, and she is charming even though she is also a bit stuck up.
I also found it interesting that Johnson brings the black market into the book, and how it impacts the ocean, which is a valuable lesson for younger mer-children to learn. Johnson once again makes Thora a remarkably witty character that is clever, loves to help people, and is brilliant and eccentric. Definitely give this book a try if you loved the first Thora book! I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(3) No Kidding! Mermaids Are A Joke by Nancy Loewen

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Nancy Loewen
Pages: 24






Summary(amazon.com):

OF COURSE you think I was a lousy, no good guy for breaking the Little Mermaids heart. You don't know the other side of the story. Well, let me tell you.

My Review:

There are so many versions of the Little Mermaid's side of the story, but what is the Prince's? What I love about the book was how original Loewen's story is! The reader really sees that the Prince is an airhead celebrity, who cant see that the Little Mermaid loves him. I also loved the vibrant illustrations that went along with the book; they were very colorful and eye catching, as well as funny! Overall, the book was short and cute and I really recommend checking it out! I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

(2) Barbie In A Mermaid Tale Step Into Reading by Christy Webster

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Christy Webster
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):

Barbie fans will love this Step 2 reader based on the latest Barbie DVD movie!

My Review:

Step-Into-Reading is a great resource for children learning to read, especially when their books feature mermaids like Merliah! What I liked most about this book is that although the sentences are short, none of the detail from the movie was cut out! I also loved the pictures, which are beautiful and vibrant; perfect for keeping young reader's attention and interest in the book. Although children, especially young mer-girls will love learning to read through Merliah's mermaid adventure, adults will loose interest quickly since it features short sentences and words. Also, there was one small detail that really bothered me. If you look at the back of the book, you will notice in the book summary that they got Merliah's name wrong! Look:

 I just couldn't believe that the main character's name is spelled wrong. Other than that, I loved this book, the illustrations, and it's perfect for young mers learning to read! I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

(1) The Little Mermaid Special Edition Golden Book by Michael Teitelbaum

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Michael Teitelbaum
Pages: 24

Summary(amazon.com):
Ariel is a curious young mermaid. She likes to explore sunken ships, swim up to the surface, and learn all she can about the world above the sea. 

My Review:
Golden books are classics, and everyone has read at least one during their childhood! However, this golden book lacked the spark that I loved when I was a young mer-girl. The images are not as bright as I would've expected from a Little Mermaid book. Readers will also realize that a lot of detail is cut out from the story, such as the main concert scene with Ariel's sisters, and even when Prince Eric finds Ariel! Although the book does keep some original quotes, it is not the best version of The Little Mermaid, I give this book (***) 3 stars.
Sirenita The Selkie

ITS FINALLY SUMMER VACATION! The Mermaid Summer Reading Challenge 2014

Hi Merfolk! Finally, I can breathe! School is over for the semester... which means...

It is the second Mermaid Summer Reading Challenge! Last year, I was able to read 27 mermaid books! Let's see if I can read more this year! Challenge yourself too! Can you beat me? :)

Check back soon for lots of more mermaid books, and maybe even some movies!

-Sirenita The Selkie

The Tritone Trilogy by Judi Fennell

Book Type: Adult/ Romance
Author: Judi Fennell
Pages: Book 1) 352   Book 2) 384  Book 3) 384

Book One: In Over Her Head: Cover, Summary and Review

Summary(amazon.com):

He lives under the sea…
Reel Tritone is the rebellious royal second son of the ruler of a vast undersea kingdom, and he's always been fascinated by humans…

She's terrified of the ocean…Marina owner Erica Peck would never go swimming willingly—but she's forced into the water and is nearly eaten by a shark. Luckily Reel is nearby to save her, and he discovers she's the woman he's been searching for…Before she knows it, Erica is off with Reel on a wild underwater adventure to recover a stolen treasure, battle a jealous sea monster, and, of course, defy a death edict from the kingdom's high court. 

But even if they make it through their madcap mission alive, can they find a way to stay together when she hates the water and he can't survive on land?

My Review:
Book 1)

Typically, I am not a romance reader, mostly because I find them cheesy, and this book unfortunately proves my point. Within the first couple of pages, the lead male character, is talking to fish with human names like Ernie, Amelia and let's not forget Vincent the great white shark. Going along with the cheesy name theme, Reel's brother is named Rod (really?) and their father's name is Fisher. To add more cheese to the romance cracker, Reel calls Erica "sweetheart," and the romance scenes are a bit too dramatic for my taste. In addition to the ridiculous names and the dramatic romance, the logic didn't really flow either.

Boring and Cheesy: What I Didn't Like:

How does Reel know about human world stuff, like diamonds and yachts and guns if he never stepped foot into human society? Speaking of diamonds, the whole plot of the book was Erica and Reel chasing them and stealing them from an evil sea monstress. Chasing diamonds...? Come on!  It's been done a million times before in dozens of different movies and books. I also found Reel to be annoying, and he acts like a total bad ass, but he comes off more like a bratty teenager who didn't get their way. Even though there was some plot elements I did not enjoy, there were some things I thought were cute or did like.

Brilliant! Exciting! Fishy!: What I Loved:

The way Fennell describes everything is perfect; I felt like I was underwater, and she also named a lot of different fish species that I had never even heard of! With the merfolk in this society, there was a perfect balance of funny human-like behaviors, such as wearing human clothes that were scavenged from wrecks, and keeping a mer-identity. I also look for switching point-of-views in romance books; I want to know what the man and the woman are thinking, and Fennell also includes this in her book. To sum it up, I just found the plot, characters and logic mediocre, and I hope that when I continue to read the next book that it will get better. I give the first book (***) 3 stars.

Book 2: 
Summary(goodreads.com):
The underwater kingdom is his as soon as he claims his queen Rod Tritone has the looks and charm to snag any queen he wants for his Mer kingdom, but unfortunately, it's not up to him. As fate would have it, the one woman destined to rule with him is terrified of water.She lives in land-locked Kansas and has no idea she's a princess.Valerie Dumere thinks Rod is gorgeous and irresistible but why does he keep insisting she has another side to herself that only he can show her? Somehow, Rod has to prove to her who she really is. But when she finds out the truth, will she ever forgive him?

My Review:
When I first began reading this, I didn't expect much, especially since I wasn't crazy about the first book. However, the main plot seemed interesting; Rod is going to capture a hybrid mermaid! Cool! Sadly, this book was cheesy, boring and just plain odd.

The Characters are Annoying!:
What really bothered me most about Valerie and Rod is how fleeting their passion is for one another. One minute Rod says he's on land just to get Valerie back to Atlantis with no intentions of dating her, but then all of a sudden he is burning for her, with no real transition of his thoughts. The dialect is also annoying. Every other line between Rod and Valerie's conversation is some mental sexual comment to themselves. It gets very old to hear how good looking one another is. We get the point! 
Valerie is a very annoying character as well. Not only does she seem promiscuous, but what an airhead flake! Who runs off with strange man you don't even know, and a talking bird?
I also found it weird and frustrating that Reel and Erica are mentioned so many times, but they never enter the plot at all! Where are they? Valerie and Rod go to their house to stay hidden but they're never there!

Unrealistic Romance:
This romance bothered me even more than the first book! At least it was cute that Reel has a crush on Erica ever since he was a child. This romance starts from sexual to apparent love in a matter of a couple of days! For about three quarters of the book, Rod and Valerie talk about each other sexually, but all of a sudden they claim that they want to be together forever. It's cheesy and unrealistic. 

Birds, Birds and... More Birds?:
The plot of the book is very strange.  I will try not to spoil too much, but another part of the plot is animals, including millions of birds take orders from a merman hellbent on taking over Atlantis and tries to defeat Rod. While on a "road trip" dozens of birds drop rubbish and attack them for miles. 
I felt that half of the book is about birds chasing Rod and Valerie. I think a better idea would've been traitorous merfolk living on land and trying to defeat Rod and overthrow him. Talking animals... it's such an old idea. I give this book (**) 2 stars.


Book 3:


Summary(amazon.com):

Mermaid Angel Tritone escapes a shark by jumping into single dad Logan Hardington's fishing boat. All his young son Michael wants for his birthday is a mermaid, and if his dad will only play his cards right, now he'll have one…

Angel wants to give Michael his most beloved birthday gift (a real live mermaid) while also getting to know his father and getting him to help her in her mission to stop humans from destroying the oceans. Logan has never met a woman who cared as much about the same things he does, and she's never met a man who understood her deepest commitment to humanity and nature. When an enemy of conservation shows up and tries to kill Angel, Logan has to choose between continuing the life he's known, or following the woman he loves to the bottom of the ocean…

My Review:
After reading the last two books in this series, I was skeptical, and I didn't expect much. However, this was my favorite book in the series. 

What I Liked:
Angel is my favorite character in this entire series. She is very cute when she is around Logan, and I like how smart and curious she is. She is also an amateur mer-scientist/sociologist! She reminds me of Madison from Splash, especially when she goes shopping for clothes the first time!  She is also smart and caring, but has such realistic qualities for a fictional character. She wants to be somebody important and not live in her family's shadow. 
I also liked Logan and Angel's relationship. I felt it was more genuine. The reader understands why Logan and Angel have feelings for each other, instead of just having sexual attraction like the last two books. 

What Annoyed Me:
The talking animals, along with the ridiculous human names annoyed me constantly. One of the names, Hammerhead Harry, just seems so silly. 
The whole plot seemed a bit ridiculous when I first began this book. From Logan's perspective, a naked woman is found lying on his boat, with no identification and seems confused about everything! Although he doesn't even know her, he trusts her to babysit his kid and live with him, even though he knew her for about 15 minutes? 
WHAT?
 How could someone be so trusting, especially with a woman who is clearly tangled up in her own story?! I wasn't sure about the romance at first, but it gradually grew on me. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

Overall, I would give the series 3 stars. It was okay, but it needed some tweaking with plot and character development. 

-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid 2 Junior Novelization by Amy Edgar

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Amy Edgar
Pages: 64

Summary:
A junior novelization of The Little Mermaid II: Return To The Sea

My Review:
The Little Mermaid is a movie I will always treasure in my heart, and it is my life goal to read every Ariel book out there! In the movie, I always loved the mother-daughter bond that Ariel and Melody share, and I love how Melody possesses traits from both her parents. Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations of the excitement I always felt when I was a little mergirl. Even though the book is a junior novelization, meaning that it introduces merchildren into learning how to read chapters and longer phrases, this book did the exact opposite; it is written in a very juvenile way. In addition, a lot of the movie's quotes, as well as the detailed scenes are absent. The book can be read by an adult in 45 minutes since it is very short. Unfortunately, this is very disappointing. I only give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Rani In The Mermaid Lagoon by Lisa Papademetriou

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Lisa Papademetriou
Pages: 128

Summary(amazon.com):

Rani doesn't fit in. Ever since she had to cut off her wings to save Mother Dove, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with the water talent fairies. In fact, without wings, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with any fairies at all. Rani sets off on a perilous journey to find a home, a journey that leads her underwater, deep into the lagoon, where the mermaids live. Maybe there Rani will discover who her true friends are!

My Review:

Never Land has always intrigued me, and I loved the Disney movie, Peter Pan. Of course, my favorite part was always the mischievous mermaids! What I loved about the book was the whimsical Pixie Hollow, home to the fairies, as well as the beautiful colored illustrations that follow, showing mermaids, the fairies and the lagoon. The fairies in Pixie Hollow are so cute, and they are willing to help each other out to make the best out of their community. I completely understand why Rani is so upset and I felt so bad for her! Loosing your wings must be like loosing your fins, but I did get a little annoyed with her constant crying and her, "I cant do anything!" perspective. I also loved how Papademetriou created the mermaids perfectly. Although they are beautiful and wild, they are also vain and shallow, just like the mermaids in Disney's Peter Pan. They can also be quite air headed as well as nasty if they don't get their way. In the end, this book shows that everyone has a talent, and sometimes the best talent you have is being unique, and also help others in need. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Barbie In A Mermaid Tale 2 Junior Novelization by Molly McGuire

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Molly McGuire
Pages: 128

Summary:
A novelization of Barbie In A Mermaid Tale 2

My Review:
Barbie In A Mermaid Tale  is one of my favorite mermaid movies! However, the junior novelizations are not the same as watching the eye catching, colorful and captivating movies. All the original quotes were kept, and the text is not juvenile. In addition, McGuire stayed true to the original plot, and no detail was cut out. There is also four to six pages dedicated to pictures depicting the scenes in the book. Even though this book has all the original pizazz, it just is not the same. It's actually a bit boring to read through the scenes instead of watching what's going on. Go see the movie! I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Pichi Pichi Pitch Mermaid Melody Volume #1 by Pink Hanamori and Michiko Yokote

Book Type: YA Manga
Author(s): Pink Hanamori and Michiko Yokote
Pages: 192

Summary(amazon.com):
Lucia is the new girl at school. She and her sister run a public bath that’s all the rage. When Lucia meets a terrific-looking surfer boy, there’s just one little problem: Lucia is a mermaid–not just any mermaid, but a princess on an important mission to save the seven seas from an evil force bent on taking control of the marine world. Such a responsibility doesn’t leave much time for romance. But Lucia vows to protect her world and win the heart of handsome Kaito. Pichi Pichi Pitch is an extremely popular anime in Japan. Now it’s the newest craze in the world of magical-girl manga!



My Review: 
I had never read a manga graphic novel, but I was interested, especially since it had mermaids! Manga is extremely popular, especially here in the U.S. but I don't think these books are for me. What really confused me, and took a while to understand, was that you have to read it from right to left. I know this is how they read in many different countries but when I first began the book, I said, "Huh?" I also find that graphic novels can be a bit distracting, especially with the very emotionally-charged drawings. It's also a bit weird to me that a 13-year old girl is supposed to look hot in a bikini....
No thanks! And apparently throughout the series there are sex scenes, yet the rating is 13 +? I believe the only thing I liked about this book was Lucia. She is friendly, curious and reminds me of myself when she is around her crush, Kaito. She gets really nervous and it's so cute! What I also like about manga is that you can read them in about an hour, if you consider yourself a fast reader. Sorry guys. Manga just isn't my style. I give this book (**) 2 stars. I know there is also a TV show of the book series, so maybe I will like that more. 
However, if you do find manga and mermaids interesting, then give this a try!
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Sea Man by Jane Yolen

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Jane Yolen
Pages: 41

Summary(amazon.com):
After the crew of a small Dutch ship pulls a half-man, half-fish creature from the sea, the lieutenant feels honor bound to return him to his domain. What the lieutenant doesn't know is that his compassion has earned him a guardian and a friend whose knowledge of the ocean will forever touch his life.

My Review:
Jane Yolen is an author that has been reviewed on this blog, and she is definitely a creative and imaginative writer. One of my favorite books that she wrote is titled, Neptune Rising  which you can view here. Naturally I was excited to read this, especially since there aren't many books on mermen. The story/plot immediately takes off with no hesitation, and the captivating black and white illustrations help keep the story interesting and also helps the depict the many emotions both the sailors and the merman face. What I also loved is that the story was not written in a juvenile fashion, even though it was in the children's section of the library. Yolen also mentions that this book is based off a real account of a merman sighting! Cool! I do have to mention though, for a kid's book, it was startlingly depressing! The poor merman is thrown around the cabin, left to almost suffocate by the ruthless sailors, and almost dies, leaving his family fatherless! I don't really recommend this as something a child should read right before they go to sleep, but it was definitely an original tale that merfolk will like. I give this book (****) 4 stars. 
-Sirenita The Selkie

Siren's Storm Series by Lisa Papademetriou

Book Type: Novel
Author: Lisa Papademetriou
Pages: First book: 288

Summary(goodreads.com):
Nothing has been the same for Will ever since what happened last summer. One day, on an ordinary sailing trip with his brother, there is a strange accident. When Will wakes up, he learns his brother has disappeared, presumed drowned. Worst of all, Will can't remember what happened—his family finds him unconscious, with no memory of the accident.
Now Will and his best friend and neighbor, Gretchen, are starting a new summer. Gretchen seems troubled—her sleepwalking habit is getting worse, and she keeps waking up closer and closer to the water. 
Will is drawn to Asia, the exotic new girl in town. Nobody knows where she's from—all Will knows is that her beauty and her mesmerizing voice have a powerful effect on people. Then there is another mysterious drowning, and Will and Gretchen begin to wonder: Is Asia just another beautiful, wealthy summer resident? Or is she something entirely more sinister . . . and inhuman?

My Review:
Have you ever read a book that just gave you the creeps, but in a good way? This book totally gave me goosebumps! Sirens who visit our world are depicted as creepy and sinister, and this book had a 

psychological thriller tone throughout the entire novel. Each chapter starts off with newspaper article clippings about weird events that take place around the town, such as artwork being stolen and vandalism. People are missing, secrets are hidden, and as you continue to read this book, you slowly unravel the mystery. The imagery in this book was great, and I pictured all the creepy stuff perfectly! Since this book also takes place on Long Island, where I was born and raised, I was curious to see how Papademetriou would portray Long Island teenagers. Although the female dialogue was perfect and includes all the "likes" that Long Island girls say, the male dialogue was a little too surfer-dude-ish. However, I did have some problems with the first book. The reader will instantly pick up that Asia is a siren (seriously guys, I can't even say spoiler alert). There was also quite a bit of violence that readers might not be comfortable with.

I also have to say, that one thing REALLY made me mad and just seemed so unrealistic. It is a spoiler, so to view it, highlight the following:

Guersney the dog is killed by a siren by a swift blow to the head, and the dog is left their bleeding to death. It struck me as utterly ridiculous that this happened. When Will and Gretchen are running away, why didn't they bring the dog with them? Who leaves their animal to a bunch of demons? I just found it unrealistic that anyone who cares about their pet that much would leave them to die. Actually I preferred Angus to die. He is such a shallow and annoying character, and he is so nosey it's unbearable!
The second book kind of made me get this face:



I felt like after the first book, Will all of a sudden gets feelings for Gretchen, and there was no progression in their relationship. He's also a bit of a creep for a boyfriend. He would sit and look out the window waiting until she came home late at night... watch out Gretchen, the guy is a total weirdo! These two have such a weird relationship. One minute, they're lovey dovey, then the next minute they act like best friends and then go back to holding hands. It's so wishy washy.
Although I did love the main theme of the book, which is nothing on the planet is permanent, and that there are constant changes we need to adapt to, such as death, the second book was a bit... anti-climatic. I loved the drama and suspension, but it just didn't do much for me. I give this series (***) 3 stars.

The Mermaid's Purse by Ted Hughes

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Ted Hughes
Pages: 64

Summary(amazon.com):
In The Mermaid's Purse, Ted Hughes explores the ocean. From starfish and seagulls to mermaids and monsters, 28 poems capture the beauty, drama, and mystery of the sea and the seashore

My Review:
Mermaid poems are often very hard to find, so I was so excited when I found this book! Although this book sadly, only has one or two poems about mermaids, the rest of the book is phenomenal. There is a poem for each sea animal that is commonly associated with the ocean, such as a crab, whale, shark, anemone and a clam! Even though the illustrations are in black and white, it really does not matter, because the words , and how they are strung together, speak for itself. Anyone who simply appreciates and loves the ocean, as well as mermaids, will love this beautiful book of poems. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
- Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Sonia W. Black

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Sonia W. Black
Pages: N/A 

Summary(scholastic.com):
Hans Christian Andersen's tale of a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human in order to marry the man she loves is told in this easy reader adaptation featuring Lanza's elegant watercolor illustrations.

My Review:

I had to take this pic to show u guys!
Isnt she gorgeous?

As soon as I picked this up from the library, I was entranced by the beauty of the cover; the mermaid is so beautiful! As soon as you open the first page, the mermaid illustrations flow just like the current, and I loved the softness of the watercolor. This book also kept all the original details, but there was one detail I didn't understand. In the original Hans Christian Anderson story, the mermaids only get to wear oyster shells when they turn 15, to show that they are adults and also to show their status. I don't really understand why The Little Mermaid is the only one wearing oyster shells, especially since she is the youngest. Overall, this is a great version for kids learning to reads and for them to also learn a great fairytale. I give this book (*****) 5 stars. 
-Sirenita The Selkie