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

Mermaids Don't Run Track by Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones

Book Type: Series/ Childrens literature
Author: Debbie Dadey and Marcia Thornton Jones
Pages: 112

Summary(amazon.com):
Mr. Jenkins, the director at Camp Lone Wolf, has decided to hold a track meet. He's even brought an expert running coach to help the Bailey School kids prepare. The new coach is strangely inspirational -- when she sings, people feel like they can do anything. But when the kids notice the strange resemblance the coach bears to a mermaid, the fact that she refuses to get wet, and that she's planning to run off with Mr. Jenkins, they wonder if this coach is more than she appears to be. Can the kids solve this mystery before they lose Mr. Jenkins and Camp Lone Wolf forever?

My Review:
I have enjoyed reading these books ever since I was in second and third grade. It is always so funny to me that almost every adult The Bailey School Kids encounter are some type of creature, and this one happens to be my favorite because it is about a mermaid of course! What readers will enjoy most about this series is that each "creature" is very elusive about what they are and try to disguise themselves, but the kids are like detectives and always try to solve the mystery! I really enjoyed how comical it was that a mermaid wanted to run track so bad, and the authors of this book added some classic elements such as a mermaids hypnotizing singing. I believe that no matter how old you are, this book will entertain you, and so will the other crazy cryptics in the other books in the series. The only thing I have to say about this book is that it is intended for 3rd- 5th graders, so the font is rather large and the way the book is written is juvenile. Overall though, I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaids and Mermen by Shannon Knudsen

Book Type: Mermaid information
Author: Shannon Knudsen
Pages: 48

Summary(goodreads.com):
The breaking waves glow white in the moonlight as you walk along the beach. Suddenly you hear a voice singing a song. It's as sweet a sound as you have ever heard. You see a strange creature - half woman and half fish - sitting on a rock in the water. She is beautiful, and her voice enchants you. Without thinking, you follow the mermaid's song farther and farther into the dark, cold sea . . . From ancient myths to authors such as Hans Christian Anderson to modern movies, people throughout time have told tales of mermaids and mermen. These magical creatures of the sea are said to tempt sailors to follow them into the ocean, but the sailors drown in the chase. In other stories, humans capture merfolk and force them to live on land, or merfolk take human visitors to their amazing underwater cities. Learn more about these fantastical beings who have captivated us since ancient times.

My Review:
When it comes to books on mermaid legends and information, this book is one of my favorites.  What I really enjoy about this book is that there is no magic nonsense. This book goes in depth with the charms and powers of merfolk, and explores the variety of mermaids around the world. Another part this book covers is the fakes and frauds in the mermaid world, such as the Feejee Mermaid, and Jenny Hanivers. Another section I enjoyed about this book is the mermaids of the modern world, which lists different media in which mermaids are spotted. The book also has a really beautiful design and great pictures. This is not a book that just children will enjoy, but adults as well. 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: