Mermaids: The Myths, Legends and Lore by Skye Alexander

Book Type: Short Story Collection/ Information about mermaids/ Cultural diversity/ Mythology
Author: Skye Alexander
Pages: 224

Summary(goodreads.com):
The allure and mystery of mermaids has taken hold of our psyche for ages. From the Irish merrows who come on land to search for human husbands to the fake Fiji Mermaid made popular by P.T Barnum, these sea maidens (and sometimes men) can be found in folklore and mythology from every tradition in the world.

Inside this captivating collection, complete with beautiful illustrations throughout, you'll discover the myths surrounding these enigmatic beings, explore the common symbols associated with them, and learn tales of merfolk from around the world. Dive into "Mermaids" and get swept away!


My Review:
When I first picked up this book, I was a bit worried that I would become bored, especially since traditional tales was never my cup of sea salt. However, my thoughts quickly changed and I fell flukes over fins for this book! 
What I loved most about this book is how thorough it was; it really covered every aspect of the mermaid legend, and even what mermaids mean in pyschology! Cool! Ive never really thought of why mermaids have such sex appeal until I read this. Sure, they flaunt their beautiful bodies, but they are dangerous and elusive, which Alexander also explores in depth. 

Traveling The World: Different Legends From Around The Globe:

Alexander also explains that in different parts of the world, mermaids can mean good fortune or an ill omen, and this was really interesting to compare and contrast different meanings in other cultures and countries. Some of the countries you will visit are Mesopotamia (The Middle East), Great Britian, Ireland, Denmark, Russia, Africa, India, Australia and North America. I truly loved the diversity of this collection, and loved exploring what different parts of the world think about mermaids. I had never heard of some of the legends mentioned in this book, so it was refreshing to see some new mers! 

I also loved that throughout the book, Alexander has little passages about mermaid sightings. Did you know Christopher Colombus and Henry Hudson saw mermaids? Maybe it was a selkie, like me! :)

More Than Just Mers:

Here are some of the creatures besides mermaids mentioned in this book:
- Ondines     -Sirens     -Mermen     -Water Gods and Godesses     -Selkies
- Nixes 
The legend of Matthew Trewella is even in this book, which is the base of the Ingo Series!
But there is so much more! 

The Negative:
The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that if you are not interested in traditional stories or old tales and fables, even classic literature, this book might not be the choice for you. At times, the book can be a bit boring since many of the stories are similar with slight differences in plot.

This book was an awesome find for my mermaid library! I love how rich and diverse it was, and it's a great resource for those who want to learn more about different water creatures and diverse cultures. I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

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

My South Carolina Trip: part 2!

Part 2: Shoppin for Mermaids!
Here are some pics of when I went shoppin! Of course I was able to find mermaid stuff!
Here is a collage of mermaid stuff I found when I went shoppin:

A hand made bronze statue

Checking out some new mermaid stuff for my
Collection!

Another lovely lady!

Check back for more reviews and pictures; coming soon!

-Sirenita The Selkie

Mermaid Tales From Around The World by Mary Pope Osborne

Book Type: Children's Literature/ Mermaid Stories
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
Pages: 96

Summary(amazon.com):
The book presents legends and tales that have stirred the imaginations of people. From Andersen's Little Mermaid to Nigerian Fish Husband, these sea spirits all determine their own fate.

My Review:
I have read countless books on different collections of mermaid stories, legends and tales from around the world, but I think Osborne wrote one of the best books on this particular mer-subject. This book takes you through time and into many different cultures, some of which include Native American, Asian, Russian and many more! A common theme throughout the stories Osborne chose for her fabulous book is that, like the summary concludes, all of these mermaids and/or sea spirits chose their own fate, which if you think about it, is seen in many other mermaid books. Each of the mermaids presented in this collection are strong, devious, sometimes even evil and defiant, however, some are soft, gentle and kind. There is a wide variety of different personalities in this book, so everyone can connect with many of the stories. In addition, I really love how Osborne simplified these classic tales that were often written in a language that might pose as strange or confusing, and worded them in a way that was easy to understand and follow, but didn't write them in a juvenile fashion. Readers will also love the fabulous artwork that begins each story, which helps visualize the plot even further. This really is a great read, and I hope to buy this soon! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Book Of Mermaids by Patricia Saxton

Book Type: Mermaid Information/ Encyclopedia
Author: Patricia Saxton
Pages: 28

Summary(goodreads.com):
If you have ever wondered what Mermaid life was really like, you can now journey under the sea into the everyday life of these enchanting creatures with this lavishly illustrated guide to Mermaid art, culture, fashion and magic.

My Review: 
What I do like about this book is it can somewhat be used as a source of real information. On the first page, Saxton describes the legend of the mermaid itself, and what merfolk are called around the world. However, that's the only part you can use as a source. The rest is purely for fun. In this book, some of the things that are listed are what a mermaids home and family life is like, a fun made-up mermaid language,the art mermaids create and the holidays they celebrate. I find some of this stuff to be a little to human-like. Is this information, like Ari Berks, possibly shared to Paxton through mermaids? Maybe. But it's definitely a cute read. I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Secret World Of Mermaids by Francine Rose

Book Type: Mermaid information/encyclopedia
Author: Francine Rose
Pages: 40

Summary(goodreads.com):
Legends have long told of the powerful, mysterious creatures that are half human and half fish. This scrapbook is a collection of writings and "evidence" from Aunt Lydia. The four mermaid figures bundled with the book represent the four types of mermaids that can be found all over the world: the frequently spotted shipsavers; the wishgivers who help those in trouble; the shapeshifters who whimsically enter and exit the human world; and the weatherworks mermaids who bargain with humans for favors. Plenty of "factual" information is included.

My Review:
 I bought this book a very long time ago, so I have the little figurines it comes with! What I really like about this book is that it is set up in a way that you are uncovering evidence about a family's past, while also discovering the different types of mermaids out there. It is also full of fun articles and fake articles. Some of the features this book also includes is the mermaid map, where you can see which types of mermaids live in your area. Included on each type of mermaid page are things like its habitat, its life cycle, the disposition ect. I definitely recommend this as a fun read, but if you are writing a book or doing a project on mermaids, this is not the best source to use. This book however, is a fun collectible for someone who loves mermaid literature or mermaids in general! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

A Mermaids Tale: A Personal Search for Love and Lore by Amanda Adams

Book Type: Authors Life that contains fantasy
Author: Amanda Adams
Pages: 208

Summary (goodreads.com):
Elusive, seductive, otherworldly, the mermaid is one of the most resonant of female archetypes, persisting across cultures and eras. In this singular study, Amanda Adams uses poetic language and invokes a wide range of representations and disciplines--from literature, poetry, and mythology to anthropology and folklore--to reclaim this icon of female power for modern readers. Beginning with Melusina, the bathing mermaid par excellence, Adams describes the seductive sirens and their honeyed songs, the powerful Arctic sea goddess Sedna, and the long-haired rusalki of Russian lore, among other legendary mermaids. As she tells their stories, she considers the womanly, passionate, rage-filled, and seductively sweet sides of the mermaid and how those traits reflect the lives and moods of women who live on drier shores. In discovering mermaids and their stories, the author presents a striking narrative of uncovering the unusual, the beautiful, and the extraordinary in her own life.

My Review: 
I found this book to be quite interesting. I didn't know Amanda Adams, but I found her tale about being a fan of mermaids since she was a child to be fun and whimsical. Anyone who has loved and treasured mermaids their whole life will be able to relate to this book at some point. One of my favorite parts of this book was when Adams described how she met a girl who reminded her of a selkie. At times, this book dragged on and got a bit boring, but overall, I enjoyed it.  There was also a number of beautiful pictures of paintings in this book. One of them includes one of my favorite paintings by Waterhouse listed at the side. Overall, I give this book (***) 3 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

The Secret History of Mermaids by Ari Berk

Book Type: Mermaid Information/ Encyclopedia
Author: Ari Berk
Pages: 48

Summary(goodreads.com):
Since ancient times, seafarers and coast-dwellers the world over have reported encounters with merpeople. Variously known as Finfolk, Dinny Mara, Nereids, Blue Men, and Merrymaids, merfolk have been the source of both gifts and disasters for humankind. Now a lavishly illustrated resource offers insight into the lives, origins, language, and magic of these elusive peoples. Like a siren’s song, this fascinating tome is sure to enthrall all who fall under its spell.


My Review: 
We all have to admit. Mermaids are creatures that are very elusive and secretive and rarely share the information on their society with humans!  Berk is so lucky that he was able to receive this information and now he is sharing what they told. The art in this book is quite amazing. If any of you mermaid lovers have read any Spiderwick books, the art is very similar to this. It is filled with beautiful sketches and paintings of the mermaids underwater world. It also includes a few other undersea creatures that will also fascinate you as well. This book also has a few pop ups and pull tabs that help you uncover the secrets of a mermaids life. I really think this book is a beautiful addition to anyone who loves mermaid literature, but to anyone who also loves undersea beings, or just loves fantasy. I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie