(11) Tides by Betsy Cornwell

Book Type: Novel
Author: Betsy Cornwell
Pages: 304

Summary(goodreads.com):
When high-school senior Noah Gallagher and his adopted teenage sister, Lo, go to live with their grandmother in her island cottage for the summer, they don’t expect much in the way of adventure. Noah has landed a marine biology internship, and Lo wants to draw and paint, perhaps even to vanquish her struggles with bulimia. But then things take a dramatic turn for them both when Noah mistakenly tries to save a mysterious girl from drowning. This dreamlike, suspenseful story—deftly told from multiple points of view—dives deeply into selkie folklore while examining the fluid nature of love and family.

My Review:
I'm very pleased with the summer reading challenge so far! I've managed to find a lot of selkie books! What I loved about this book was the New England-in-the-summer setting. It reminded me of summers here on Long Island. I also loved how Noah had a crush on the mystery girl, Mara. She was definitely an intriguing character. The reader slowly unravels the mystery along with Noah. There's also many contemporary issues mentioned, including body image with girls, eating disorders, the pressure of fashion magazines on young women ,gay relationships, and how science has an evil side.
I also had a few problems with the plot. I found it unrealistic that at the end of the book, the adults let the teenagers confront the bad guy all by themselves. Why didn't the adults help them out? There are also issues of child abuse and animal abuse, so anyone sensitive to these issues should not read this book. I also found the book to be very graphic, and it was difficult to get through certain parts.
I wasn't especially crazy about how the plot progressed, so I give it (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(9) the Selkie Girl by Janis Mackay

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Janis Mackay
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
Fergus lives with his father by the sea, but is lonely. He wants a friend more than anything. One day Fergus finds treasure on the beach: a beautiful fur blanket hidden in the rocks. But Fergus doesn't know that his treasure belongs to someone else - a selkie girl has lost her seal skin and can't go home to the sea without it. Will Fergus give his new friend what she needs, and risk being lonely again?

My Review:
Yay! I was so happy when I found that my local library had a new selkie children's book to explore :) After the last couple of selkie books that I've read, I was expecting another let down. However, this story was beautiful! The text is not juvenile, so adults and mer-children can enjoy it together. The illustrations were breath taking, especially of the selkie women. They really captured the alluring magic of selkies.

This book teaches young children the true value of friendship and promises, but also the lesson that if you love someone or something, set it free.
I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

(8) Water Shaper byLaura Williams McCaffrey

Book Type: Novel
Author:Laura Williams McCaffrey
Pages: 224

Summary(goodreads.com):
Margot is the daughter of a king, but she is beloved by neither his court nor his kingdom. She has “water in her blood,” a trait associated with magic and looked upon with distaste and suspicion. When she meets Orrin, a foreign king who is respectful, not scornful, of her affinity for water, she flees with him to his castle by the sea, though she soon realizes he is not as benevolent as she first thought. Intertwined with Margot’s story is that of Bird, a storyteller who must tell stories for Orrin, though he can barely stand him. When Orrin steals the Book of the Sea, a magical gift given to Margot by her mother, Margot knows she must run away once again, and the threads of the two stories begin to intertwine.


My Review:
When I first saw that this book involved selkies, I was so excited. It's sometimes hard to find good selkie books, especially in the YA genre. When I delved into the first chapter, I immediately fell in love with the medieval historical vibe.

...But that's pretty much all I enjoyed.

Half way through the book, and I was still waiting for something to happen. About three quarters of the book lacked energy, and I didn't feel any excitement while reading this. I also did not enjoy Margot, the main character. She lacks strength, and constantly feels the need to impress Orrin. Although this book says it involves selkies, it took forever to get to the selkie part!
The ending really made me say, "That's it?"
I unfortunately did not like this book at all, and I don't recommend reading it. It was confusing, boring and lacked the selkie elements that it promises. 
I give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Brides Of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan

Book Type: YA Novel
Author: Margo Lanagan
Pages:305

Summary(goodreads.com):
On remote Rollrock Island, men make their living--and fetch their wives--from the sea.
The Witch Misskaella knows how to find the girl at the heart of a seal. She'll coax a beauty from the beast for any man, for a price. And what man wouldn't want a sea-wife, to and to hold, and to keep by his side forever?
But though he may tell himself that he is the master, one look in his new bride's eyes will transform him just as much as it changes her. Both will be ensnared--and the witch will look on, laughing.
In this magical, seaswept novel, Margo Lanagan tells an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also of unspoken love.

My Review:
When I first started this book, I became really curious. Who is this nasty woman Misskaella? Why is she so bitter? Well, the reader learns of her entire life.

Odd Language and Difficult to Understand:
This book is written a bit strangely, and some things and events are not blatantly stated, and I felt the reader has to assume much of what was happening. I was also lost many times throughout the book, mainly because the plot jumps around to different time periods, and the reader has to put the pieces of the story together. It felt disjointed.

Very Long Plot:
I didn't really become interested in the book until about 60 pages in. This is when the witch Misskaella discovers she has magical powers, and this is when the story really picks up! That being said, I felt that some of the plot was not necessary, and the book was very slow at some points. In addition, I wasn't satisfied with the ending, and I was left wanting more. Not to mention, the book ends with quite a depressing tone. I felt that the whole book was about how Misskaella wanted to make people miserable because she was teased for being a plus-sized woman.

Overall, this book was okay, but it wasn't really a page-turner. I give this book (***)  3 stars. 
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Selkie Bride by Melanie Jackson

Book Type: Romance Novel
Author: Melanie Jackson
Pages: 290

Summary(goodreads.com):
Recently widowed, Megan Culbin has inherited more than just a quaint cottage on the Scottish coast; she has inherited the ire of an ancient monster - and the protection of a virile Selkie warrior.

My Review:
So, where do I start with this book? The awkward writing, the dullness of the plot... this book was really torturous to finish.

Pathetic Main Character:
The story starts off slow, with the reader being introduced to Megan Culbin and how she is on her way to Scotland. She's broke, just escaped an abusive relationship and tells the reader that she isn't skilled or talented. Yay? 
I mean really, this is not a person I wanted to root for. I also found the language difficult and antiquated, almost awkward to read at times as well.
I also hated the relationship between Megan and Lachlan. Megan is pathetic and willing to do anything for Lachlan, though she barely knows him. Lachlan is very rough with her, and doesn't show her much compassion until the last page in the book! 

Boring Plot:
This book did not have an engaging plot at all. After 100 pages into the book, I was still waiting for something exciting to happen, but it really flat lined with no action or events to captivate the reader. When Lachlan and Megan finally encounter the finman, an ancient and evil creature, I didn't feel nervous for them. The battle just seemed too easy to win.

Overall, I was really disappointed with this plot, and it was agonizingly boring at times. I give this book (*) 1 star.
-Sirenita The Selkie

A Stranger Came Ashore by Mollie Hunter

Book Type: Novel
Author: Mollie Hunter
Pages: 176

Summary(amazon.com):

A wild, stormy night . . .
A shipwreck . . .
The sudden appearance of a stranger . . .
That is how it all begins. The stranger is Finn Learson, a young and handsome man who seems to be the only survivor of the wreck. Finn Learson is charming and generous, and the Henderson family gladly give him shelter. Only young Robbie Henderson does not trust Finn Learson and his oddly unsettling secret smile. Robbie is sure that he is hiding something--but what?

My Review:
A strange, handsome stranger enchants a lovely young woman... what is he? That is what I wondered throughout the book... until Old Da starts to tell Robbie about selkies. As readers of my blog may know, I am a huge fan of selkie books, especially alluring mysteries like what Hunter has created. Every time I opened this book, I really felt like I was huddling around the fire with this family telling selkie tales. Everything was very richly detailed, and I could picture everything clearly. The only thing that slightly bothered me about this book was that even though there was quite alot of detail for a small book, I really didn't get alot of selkie-ness. The only time the reader would really pick up on it is towards the end. I would have also liked to see more of Finn Learson's side of life; I wanted him to narrate a few times when he was being sneaky, or maybe to see more selkies as small roles in the book. The ending had a really cool twist though, so I would reccomend reading this! Overall, it was a nice selkie tale with clean detail. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

PS: here is another cover of the book.
There are alot of different cover versions,
but the tale is all the same!

The Mermaid's Treasure by Stephanie True Peters

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Stephanie True Peters
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):
For anyone who has ever wondered if mermaids exist, here is a stunning oversize novelty book that reveals everything about their secret world, from how to recognize and find them to tips about their style and preferences. Stories about mermaids past and present are interwoven with activities such as selecting the perfect pet for a mermaid and touring a mermaid castle. Breathtaking watercolor paintings of mermaids, marine animals, and underwater landscapes offer plenty of details to discover. This beautiful gift book offers interactive fun on every page, leading up to a glittery surprise on the final spread.

My Review:
This mermaid book is truly phenomenal, and one of a kind. For those of you who keep up with my blog consistently, you will see that I review all sorts of mermaid books, especially ones that share mermaid secrets. However, this one is absolutely gorgeous! The book opens up with a young girl claiming that she saw a mermaid, who then leaves her a bunch of treasures from the deep. Continuing on in the mermaids perspective, she opens up to the young girl about her world and the mermaid culture, such as the styles of fashion and even the types of pets mermaids have. What I also loved about this book is the amount of beautiful mermaid images; they are truly stunning, and colorful, which is a must-have in a children's book. I will definitely be adding this to my mer-library, and I recommend to all of you to give this a try. It is perfect for children and adults alike since it is not written in a juvenile fashion, and it is full of interesting stories, pictures and information. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Neptune Rising: Songs and Tales of the Undersea Folk by Jane Yolen

 Book Type: Collection Of Short Stories
Author: Jane Yolen
Pages: 149

Summary(goodreads.com):
A collection of stories and poems which feature merfolk.

My Review:
To start, I would like to say finding a proper summary was a bit difficult, I guess because this book isn't that well known. It really should be though, because each story in this fabulous collection was excellent! When I first saw this, I was intrigued by the romantic cover art, but you really cant judge the pages of a book just by its cover. I thought this book was going to be just another collection of mermaid stories that I have read before, such as Melusine or The Selkie Wife, but these are all original stories created by the author. What I really found interesting about this book was that each story has an ending that is whimsical, and makes the reader really become aware of every little character and detail of the story. Another positive point is that readers who love selkies will love this book since there are plenty of selkie stories. This is one of those books where I am telling you mer-readers out there, you must go pick this up, immediatly! You will enjoy it, and it is a book that will not take a long time to read. I am aware Jane Yolen wrote other books on mermaids, and I will check those out for my readers as well. I give this book (*****) 5 stars, and it is going in my mer-library soon!
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Summer Of Moonlight Secrets by Danette Haworth

Book Type: Novel
Author: Danette Haworth
Pages: 256

Summary(goodreads.com):
At The Meriwether, Florida's famous antebellum hotel off of Hope Springs, nothing is quite as it seems. Secret staircases give way to servants' quarters and Prohibition-era speakeasies make for the perfect hide-and-seek spot. Allie Jo Jackson knows every nook and cranny of The Meriwether—she's lived there her whole life—and nothing surprises her, until the first time she spots the enigmatic and beautiful Tara emerging from the springs. Tara's shimmery skin, long flowing hair, and strange penchant for late moonlight swims disguise a mysterious secret—and once Allie Jo and her friend Chase discover Tara's secret, nothing will ever be the same. 
From the celebrated author of Violet Raines Almost Got Struck by Lightning comes another magical summer tale full of memorable characters and a one-of-a-kind setting

My Review:
A swirly moonlit night. A secret dip in the springs; the cover of this book screams must read! When I first picked this up from the library, I thought this book was going to be about mermaids, but can you imagine my shock to learn it was about my favorite mermaid, the selkie! Haworth really captures the imagination and dialect of eleven-year old Allie Jo, and thirteen-year old Chase, who become fast friends after discovering the mysterious new guest named Tara. This book was full of magic throughout every page, and I mean that. The way the author wrote each of Allie Jo, Chase and Tara's dialect was perfect and distinct from one another. However, I had a small problem with this book. I think there should have been more selkie folklore incorporated into this story. Although Tara is recognized by the reader as a mystical character, there was not a ton of "selkie-ness" to her. This story had a really sweet ending and an incredible middle that made the reader want to continue reading until the end! I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

My Trip To Atlantis Marine World, Long Island!

So recently I took another trip with my amazing boyfriend, Brandon, to Atlantis Marine World on Long Island!  Its stunning!
I noticed that there were some selkies there of two different varieties! Here are some pictures :)
*Please note: after reading David Kirby's book "Death At Seaworld" I do not visit aquariums or zoos anymore. However, Atlantis does have great rescue programs for the sea life around Long Island*

These Selkies were so beautiful in the water! And adorable on land :)

Boyfriend looking at the seals :)

Selkies playing with some interactive toys :)

                                 

Here is a picture of one of the sea lion selkies! Beautiful creatures!

Lastly, Here is a video of the sea lion selkies swimming!
One of them was named Salty, and even did a cute kids show!

Enjoy!

-Sirenita The Selkie

The Mermaids Cape by Margaret K. Wetterer

Please excuse this odd picture.
There weren't any cover shots when I googled it.

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Margaret K. Wetterer
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):
When he falls in love with a beautiful mermaid who drifts in too close to shore, a young Irish fisherman snatches up her shimmering cape knowing that as long as he has it the mermaid can never leave him.

My Review:
The story of The Mermaid's Cape is very much similar to the legend of the selkie, in which, a man marries a selkie, she discovers her pelt and then runs away. The only difference is, this mermaid doesn't have a tail to live under the sea, but a magic cape. Unfortunately, I was slightly disappointed with this children's book. I was expecting a new type of selkie story since I saw seals on the cover and read the first page, which explains that the setting is Ireland. The story was nothing new to me, and as I have explained, it is pretty much like the legend of the selkie. However, I really loved the illustrations. Although they were in black and white, they were very beautiful and had a lot of life to them. Another element readers might like about this book is that it wasn't written in a juvenile fashion, so adults can also enjoy this book. I recommend looking up the legend of the selkie wife before reading this though. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

New Items In My Mermaid Collection :)

In the last month or so, I have bought more mermaid items that I wanted to show you! Here's the pic:

In This Picture:
2 copies of Mermaids and Mythology Magizine! (Perhaps I will review these 2 in the future?)
A David Delamare Print
Selkie by Gillian McClure
The Merbaby by Teresa Bateman
and A Mermaid Necklace!
-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

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

Seal Child by Sylvia Peck

Book Type: Novel
Author: Sylvia Peck
Pages: 208

Summary(goodreads.com):
Molly and her family have always spent long, lazy summers on Ambrose Island. There, Molly can watch for glimpses of the great gray seals that haunt the Maine shore or spend hours walking along the beach with her dog Clyde. But this year her vacation promises to be even more fun when she meets a girl named Meara. Molly and Meara are the same age, yet there's something about her new friend that makes Molly wonder who she is and where she came from. Nothing can prepare her for the strange truth . . . or for the dramatic event that's about to change their lives and their friendship forever.

My Review:
Fantastic summers with the family, cold winters at the beach with mysterious seals; that is the essence of this book. I really enjoyed how sly the seals were in this book. The reader has a feeling that the seals around Ambrose Island are selkies, but it is not revealed until the outgoing and beautiful Meara arrives at Ruby's house one day. From there, the reader definitely picks up that something is odd about Meara. Unfortunately, it is not revealed that she is a selkie until later on in the book. The ending though, was my favorite part of the story. It was beautiful and bittersweet, but I will not reveal that to you guys! The only thing I did find bothersome about this book is the main character Molly. She can be quite bratty and obnoxious at times, and it was irritating to read her comments to people. But overall, this book was really sweet and I recommend it for people who love selkies. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie
PS: This is another version of the cover:

The Seal Mother by Mordicai Gerstein

Book Type: Children's Literature

Author: Mordicai Gerstein

Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):

A seal sheds her skin and becomes a beautiful woman, but even after marrying and bearing a son she longs to return to her seal family in the sea.

My Review:

The Seal Mother is a beautiful children’s story about the legend of the selkie, only this is a slight deviation. I must say, this is another beautifully written children’s book. Selkies are one of my favorite mermaid-type creatures to read about, even if it is a children’s story.  My favorite part about this book is the bond between the mother seal and her child. Unlike the more traditional legend of the selkie, The Seal Mother still sees her son throughout his life, even when he gets to be an older man. As I have mentioned in previous posts about children’s books, I always believe they must have great illustrations, and The Seal Mother definitely does! There is a uniqueness to the way the sea is painted, and the selkies/ seals are drawn and colored beautifully. Overall, this story, combined with its captivating illustrations is a great story to read as an adult or to read to your children as a bedtime story. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

Daughter Of The Sea by Berlie Doherty

Book Type: Novel
Author: Berlie Doherty
Pages: 115

Summary(goodreads.com):
Gioga is a gift from the sea to the childless Jannet and Munroe--but only a temporary one. The couple treat Gioga as if she were of their own flesh and blood, not understanding that they would need to let her go before long. When it comes time to return their daughter to her rightful home, desperation sets in. No amount of toil and bloodshed, however, will distract Gioga from the longing she feels to return. . . .

My Review:
Selkies are one of my favorite sea creatures, as well as my favorite type of mermaid. I always love to read about selkies, whether it is a children's book or a novel, such as this one, and have plenty of books on selkies on this blog. I am completely in love with this captivating story! Every time I picked this up to read it, even if I read a few pages, I was absolutely captured by the magic of this story. What I mostly love about this book is the selkies are not described very much, and there is an element of mystery to them. This book really makes you want to keep turning the pages to find out what Gioga's fate is. Also, I love the Celtic language in this book. I felt like I was taken to the Irish or Scottish shores. This is also a quick and fun read, and if you are a fast reader, you can finish this in a few days. It is also a great beach read! Anyone who loves selkies will absolutely love to add this to their mermaid library. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

I Spy A Selkie! A Trip To The Zoo Part II !

In a recent post, I mentioned that I had more "mer-mish" secrets to share with you! Well, on my trip to the zoo, I also saw.... Thats right! Sea Lions! They reminded me so much of selkies :)
*please note: after reading David Kirby's book "Death At Seaworld" I do not visit aquariums or zoos anymore*

The selkies were curious about the trainers
cleaning their tank!

Arent they just adorable? I also got myself a stuffed sea lion, which I named Selkie!
-Sirenita The Selkie

Seal Song by Andrea Spalding and Pascal Milelli

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Andrea Spalding and Pascal Milelli
Pages:32

Summary(goodreads.com):
Finn loves to swim with the seals in a secret cove. He arrives at the cove one day and rescues a young seal tangled in netting. Finn wishes the seal could live on land. That night the seals sing. "No good comes from seal songs," says Finn's father. When Sheila, a mysterious girl no one has ever seen before, appears on the cannery docks, the fisher folk are uneasy. They believe the newcomer is a magical selkie, a shape changer.

My Review:

This book is similar to Selkie by Gillian McClure, with slight differences in the plot, but this story is about a selkie who is rescued and then returns the favor to her human companion. Also, even though this book is a children’s book, it bored me slightly, and the plot didn’t have too much depth to it. The language in this book was not too juvenile, so I believe adults can enjoy this story as well. It was lightly entertaining, and I love books about selkies, whether it’s a childrens book or a novel. The artwork in this book had a lot of texture to it, and was at times, abstract, yet the images were very vivid and colorful. Personally, I was not a big fan of the artwork since I do not like abstract art, but they were still aesthetically beautiful. I recommend this book for children and adults alike to share and enjoy. I give this book (***) 3 stars

-Sirenita The Selkie

Selkie by Gillian McClure

Book Type: Children's literature
Author: Gillian McClure
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
Peter is curious about the legend of the selkie, a seal who can turn into a girl. When his curiosity gets the better of him, he discovers that the selkie is more than just a legend-she is a friend.



My Review:

Amazing pictures and beautiful words; that is what a true children’s book is made of. This book was imaginative and beautiful, and teaches children that money is not the only riches someone can posses. This wisdom of the sea is an even greater treasure, which is what this book was all about! Although this selkie legend was not quite like the original, it was still a well written story that both adults and children will love. Not only is the story captivating, but there is amazing artwork within these pages that a lover of selkie stories will enjoy. The colors and images are very rich with life, and as soon as I was done reading the words on the page, I would stare at the beautiful pictures of the selkies, which were absolutely perfect! The only thing I would say was that this book was written in a more juvenile style since it is aimed for children’s attention. However, this is still a book that people who love sea folklore, selkies or mermaids will enjoy. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

A beautiful selkie girl!