The Little Mermaid by Francesca Rossi

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Francesca Rossi
Pages: 64

Summary(goodreads.com):
When she falls in love with the prince she rescues during a storm, the Little Mermaid sells her voice to a witch for the chance to become human. But if her prince doesn't love her back, she could lose it all . . .

My Review:
The Little Mermaid  is a timeless classic mermaid story. While some authors use amazing illustrations and words with their rendition, others fall a little flat. I would say this book falls into the mix of good and bad. 

While the mermaids in this book are beautiful, the background colors fall a little flat. The ocean is full of life and color, and the illustrations do not portray this. Although the text is somewhat like the original Anderson version, the ending is vastly altered.

So is this the original The Little Mermaid? You be the judge!
I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie 

(6) The Little mermaid by Robert Sabuda

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Robert Sabuda
Pages: 12

Summary(goodreads.com):
A beloved under-the-sea tale is now a pop-up masterpiece, from expert craftsman Robert Sabuda.

Come along on a magical journey under the sea in this stunning pop-up adaptation of the beloved fairy tale The Little Mermaid, expertly crafted by renowned paper engineer Robert Sabuda. Amazing three-dimensional paper structures pop off each page, bringing this classic underwater adventure to life. This visually stunning tale of adventure, true love, and sacrifice is sure to become a favorite in any story-lovers library.


My Review:
Believe it or not, this book has been sitting on my shelf, waiting to be explored for two years! I was just so busy with other mermaid books that I forgot about this gem that I bought with Christmas money :) 
I love how the author simplified the original text; it's perfect! Its easy to understand without skipping over the original beauty of Hans Christian Anderson's writing. But what really made this story come to life was the amazing pop ups!
I have never seen a more beautiful pop up book!
That being said, this isn't exactly safe in a merchild's hands. These pop ups are very delicate!!!
Adults should accompany children and be careful when you open it! Some of the pop ups got a bit annoying when I was reading the book. They got stuck when I tried to open them, and I accidentally ripped one because it didn't open right :(
I loved this book and it really is a beautiful gem in anyone's mer-library, but be careful with the pop ups, especially around children! However, this would make a perfect bedtime story :)
I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Ronne Randall

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Ronne Randall
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
This Parragon fairy tale classic picture book features revised text ideal for beginning readers along with vibrant new illustrations. Children will love to follow along with their favorite characters!

My Review:
I was disappointed with the illustrations, as well as the plot of this book. I wanted more life and maturity for such a beautiful story, and made the Little Mermaid look 5 instead of 15.
The adaptation of the story was okay, but a lot of the major details from the original were left out, so it made the story boring and predictable. I don't recommend reading this adaptation. I give this book (**) 2 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

The Little Mermaid by Susan Blackaby

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Susan Blackaby
Pages: 32

Summary(amazon.com):

A little sea princess, longing to be human, trades her mermaid's tail for legs, hoping to win the love of a prince and earn an immortal soul for herself.

My Review:

When I first picked this book up from the library, I thought, "Oh no. This is going to be terrible!" However, I learned once again not to judge a book by its cover. This book is a retelling of The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson, but it is simplified for children learning to read. Oddly, the illustrations matched the simplicity of the story and got the message across easily enough for children to understand. The only bad comment I do have is since the text is very simplified and large, I can only guess that adult mermaids wont enjoy this as much as smaller children. This version is perfect for little mers to read on their own. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Robyn Bryant

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Robyn Bryant
Pages: 29

Summary:
An adaptation of the classic tale, "The Little Mermaid".

My Review:
While shopping for mermaid books (as I usually do when I have free time) I came across this gem. Sadly though, this gem is a bit less shiny and polished than I expected. First off, I would just like to say, this book is pretty small, maybe a little bit bigger than a Galaxy phone. This kind of disappointed me; I wanted something a lot bigger! What I always find most important in any children's literature is the images that steal our hearts and our attention, and this book definitely scored an A. I love the graceful mermaid tails and the scales, even though its a pet peeve of mine when a mermaid somehow has a tail that extends over her chest... to me, its just weird. The illustrations are vibrant and catchy. I did however, find some plot flaws that made me go, "Huh?" First off, Bryant introduces us to Coraline, who is the Little Mermaid. Where did she get this name from? It's very random, and I wish she just stuck with the Little Mermaid like many versions of Anderson's tale. She is not supposed to have a name, and the name choice is just too human. Almost every single female character in this book looks the same, and this did not add any dimension to the story. Also, I found it to be extremely out there that when Coraline turns into a human, she is wearing a dress made of scales? That is just too weird.  The actual literature is not cheesy or juvenile, and the author put her own spin on some minor parts in the plot, which I enjoyed. Sadly, there was not anything super special or interesting about this version, except the artwork. Check out some other cooler versions on my blog, if you love The Little Mermaid. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Whatever After #3: Sink or Swim by Sarah Mlynowski

Book Type: Children's Literature/ Children's Novel
Author:  Sarah Mlynowski
Pages: 176

Summary(amazon.com):
Once again my brother and I are in hot water . . .
We weren't planning to mess up the fairy tales. The first two times we did it by accident. But when our magic mirror pulls us into the story of the Little Mermaid, we have no choice but to try and rewrite it. Let's just say the original story does NOT end happily!

My Review:
Have you ever read the classic story of "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Anderson and wished the ending was different? Well, I wont give it away, but let's just say it is quite depressing! However, Sarah Mlynowski manages to change the classic fairytale into something fun and silly for children to read! When I first bought this book at a local Barnes and Noble, I was a bit skeptical since it seemed a bit juvenile at first, especially when I started to read it. But this book totally sucked me in, just like the magic mirror that sucks Abby and Jonah into stories! What I also love about this book is that children who read this will learn lessons such as following your conscious, standing up for others and doing the right thing. This book is a totally fun, silly and whimsical version of The Little Mermaid that made me laugh at times. I don't want to give too much away though! Go get this book for an awesome and modern version of The Little Mermaid! I definitely give this book (*****) 5 stars
-Sirenita The Selkie
PS: Here is a cool trailer of the first book: Click Here!

The Little Mermaid adapted by Anthea Bell and Illustrations by Chihiro iwasaki

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Hans Christian Anderson adapted by Anthea Bell
Pages: 33

Summary(amazon.com):

A little sea princess, longing to be human, trades her mermaid's tail for legs, hoping to win a prince's love and earn an immortal soul for herself.

My Review:

It is a beautiful idea that so many people are reviving the classic story of "The Little Mermaid" by Hans Christian Anderson. However, I don't see much spark in this particular version. The story says it was "adapted" but it was very similar to the original text, which for me, can get a bit boring after reading the same story after a while. I also thought the illustrations were a bit bland. For a children's story, especially one so filled with magic and love should be a bit brighter and enticing, but they did fall a bit flat for me. Perhaps I just dont find water color art interesting. Overall, I give this book (***) 3 stars.

                                                               -Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Katie Thamer Treherne (2)

 Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Katie Thamer Treherne
Pages: 48

Summary(amazon.com):
In this beloved classic, a little mermaid falls in love with a prince she has saved from a shipwreck and yearns to become human so she can marry him. Full-color illustrations.

My Review:
A captivating classic with beautiful illustrations; this is what this book is all about. The story by Hans Christian Anderson is preserved in this book with the original text. As I have mentioned in other reviews on "The Little Mermaid", the original text can be a little strange or difficult for children to understand. What most children are interested in, are the great illustrations, which this book is full of! The illustrations in this book are brightly colored and match perfectly with every mood going on. The mermaids are also spectacular and gorgeous! I love the colors of the tails and scales. Take a look: 

I think the only thing that parents should be concerned with is that in some illustrations the mermaids arent wearing shells and that their breasts are exposed.What I mostly appreciate about this book is that the author stuck to the original text of the story, and created beautiful illustrations. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Deborah Hautzig (1)

Book Type: Children's book, easy-to-ead
Author: Deborah Hautzig
Pages: 48

Summary(amazon.com):
Andersen's sweet, sad story is beautifully retold for young readers. When the little mermaid gives up her voice in exchange for legs and a chance to meet her beloved human prince, she earns a real human soul.

My Review:
From the beautifully drawn cover to the sweet, sad ending on the last page, this book is a treat for lovers of "The Little Mermaid." What I enjoyed most about this book was that the original story of "The Little Mermaid" is retold, but in an easier and more simplified version for children to understand. However, Deborah Hautzig did not exclude any of the fine details of this classic. What I also adored about this book was the illustrations. They were very full of life, and the mermaids tails was gorgeous! Here is a sample:

This is one of my favorites!

I think the only thing that might bother adult mermaid lovers is that the text is quite big, and the text is simplified and a little juvenile. Overall, I think this is a beautiful version of "The Little Mermaid" and children, especially little mer-girls will love reading this! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Charles Santore

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Charles Santore
Pages:

Summary(amazon.com):
The Little Mermaid's universal longing for freedom, independence, and love is made real by Santore's sensitive presentation. School Library Journal said, "The opulent full-page watercolors are a perfect complement to this stylish and authentic interpretation of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale."

My Review:
As the readers of my blog know, I will review any, and I mean any, Little Mermaid book I can get my hands on! I must say, next to Rachel Isadora's interpretation (also on the blog), this is my second favorite. What I love about this book is not only did the author keep the original text from the Hans Christian Anderson original, but the illustrations were absolutely breathtaking, and that definitely adds a bit of magic to any mermaid book. They were vibrantly colored, rich in detail and just simply breathtaking. Here are some pictures from the book:













Didn't I tell you? Amazing right? :)




























As you can see, the images in this book really bring the mystery of mermaids to life. I really recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of mermaids or The Little Mermaid story. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid by Michael Hague (original story by Hans Christian Anderson)

Book Type: Children's Literature
Author: Michael Hague
Pages: 48

Summary(amazon.com):
No matter how often it's retold, no matter how many illustrators tackle it, Andersen's classic tale of the lovelorn mermaid never grows stale. Unlike the sanitized Disney version, the original isn't particularly cheerful: the mermaid loses not only her voice, but also her prince and her life (although she's given a reprieve in the form of a chance to earn an immortal soul). It is, however, exquisitely written--richly layered, evocative, and full of hope, pain and yearning. Hague's Rackham-esque style suits the intense emotions of the prose; his slightly muted palette seems an extension of Andersen's imagination, capturing as it does the filtered half-light of the mysterious undersea world thronged with exquisitely sinuous merfolk. At once lavishly detailed and fanciful, his illustrations distill the haunting beauty of the century-old story, a story as fresh today as the day it was penned.

My Review:
What I really like about this book by Michael Hague is that he did not cut out any of the story or try to make it happy or less morbid compared to other authors who have retold this classic story by Hans Christian Anderson. I believe that stories that are classics such as The Little Mermaid should not be edited and should remained in their original form, especially when the book is aimed for children. I think it is important for them to learn where there favorite "Disney" stories came from. That being said, "The Little Mermaid" is written in a more mature language than children are used to, and they may find it difficult to understand. I am also personally not a fan of Hague's art. I just find it to be a little busy for my taste. With mermaid art, I like simple, but that's just me. Anyways, there is not much to review in terms of the story since the author stuck to the original, but I didn't find anything really special about this book. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Little Mermaid: Adaptation by Oriol Izquierdo

Book Type: Children's Book
Author: Oriol Izquierdo
Pages: 32

Summary(goodreads.com):
Retold in both Spanish and English, the universally loved story The Little Mermaid will delight a new generation of readers. The striking illustrations give a new look to this classic tale, and the bilingual text makes it perfect for both home and classroom libraries.

My Review: 
I have a mixed opinion on this classic tale that is retold and remade. First, what I really love and respect about this book is that the author stuck to the original story plot completely, even though it was worded a little more simply than what I would have liked to see. Another element I really loved about this book was that it was written in another language, one of the most common in the United States in fact. I truly believe that children nowadays really should learn a second language, whether it is a language that is apart of their culture, or a language that surrounds them on a daily basis. After each text is written in English, there is a bottom section that is retold in Spanish. Languages are taught in schools, but I believe they are not as reinforced as they should be. This is a great way for either an adult or a child to practice a language they are learning! However, I really did not like the illustrations in this book. I found them to be rather cartoon-y with bland and flat colors. In most children's books, you see elaborate artwork with vibrant colors, but the art in this book reminds me of a comic with a boring color palette. Anyways, I give this book (***)  3 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

The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson retold by Lisbeth Zwerger

Book Type: Children's literature
Author: Hans Christian Anderson
Pages: 48

Summary(goodreads.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:

My goodness, for a children’s book, this story is quite long and wordy! Yes, as a mermaid book lover I have read the real story of The Little Mermaid. For a book retold for children, you would assume the language would be toned down to an easy-to-understand level and that there would be more artwork than words. However, that is not the case for this book!  This book was exactly like the original version of the story, which might be slightly complicated for younger children to fully comprehend. Also, the artwork in this book was very bland and boring. In my opinion, the artwork was rather flat and didn’t stand out to me, and it was also a bit abstract as well. There were no vivid colors to keep a child’s mind entertained while they read along, and it didn’t interest me as an adult either.  I give this book (**) 2 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie