Dora Saves Mermaid Kingdom by Michael Teitelbaum

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




Summary(goodreads.com):
A mean octopus has dumped garbage all over Mermaid Kingdom The only way to save the mermaids is to find the magic crown Come along with everyone's favorite explorer, Dora, as she crosses the Seashell Bridge, goes through Pirate Island, and then goes to the Silly Sea. Will Dora be able to save her ocean friends?





My Review:
Technology is ever-evolving in this fast paced world, and our oceans are now threatened because of it. It's important to teach mer-children about protecting the sea and all who inhabit it. That's what this Dora book shows us!

What I loved about this book was the brightly-colored illustrations. They really take you to the wonder of the Silly Sea! If you want your mer-child to learn a new language, but at a pace they can keep up with, this is the perfect starter book. The easy-to-read Spanish words adorn the pages just as if you were watching the show. The mermaid, named Marina, is especially gorgeous. Check out that tail! :)

I loved this book most of all because it shows the importance of keeping the beach clean, and shows how garbage can affect marine life.

I give this book (****) 4 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie

Lies Beneath Series by Anne Greenwood Brown

Book Type: Novel
Author: Anne Greenwood Brown
Pages: Book 1) 303

Summary of first book (goodreads.com):
Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans and absorb their positive energy. Usually, they select their victims at random, but this time around, the underwater clan chooses its target for a reason: revenge. They want to kill Jason Hancock, the man they blame for their mother's death.

It's going to take a concerted effort to lure the aquaphobic Hancock onto the water. Calder's job is to gain Hancock's trust by getting close to his family. Relying on his irresistible good looks and charm, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter Lily. Easy enough, but Calder screws everything up by falling in love - just as Lily starts to suspect there's more to the monster-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined, and just as the mermaids threaten to take matters into their own hands, forcing Calder to choose between them and the girl he loves.
One thing's for sure: whatever Calder decides, the outcome won't be pretty.

My Review:
What do you get when you put jealous, vengeful mermaids, a forbidden romance, and a gorgeous killer merman? An awesome mermaid book! :)

What I loved about this book was the originality of a killer merman. Here on this blog, I've presented sirens and evil mermaids with powers, but I don't recall reading about a male siren. Calder has classic siren powers, such as the ability to will his victims into doing things and has the allure and charm of a typical siren. 
I also loved the main female character, Lily. I can really relate to her, especially her love of poetry and her Gothic style. She isn't the typical girl to fall head over fins for a pretty face, and this romance takes its time, making it beautiful and genuine. The book is also amazingly descriptive, and you will feel as if your swimming with Calder in the cold waters of Lake Superior. 

Although most of the main action in the plot is prolonged, it's needed. It reminds the reader that these killer mermaids are hunting their prey slowly and precisely. 

This first book was amazing! I'm hoping to get book two for you guys soon!
I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie 

Mermaid Tales #12 Wish Upon A Starfish by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Dadey
Pages: 128

Summary(goodreads.com):
Pearl is excited to make a splash on stage—but she’s in for some drama in this Mermaid Tales adventure.
Pearl has always dreamed of being famous: the star-studded stage, the sea flowers, the applause! So when she finds out that her third grade class is performing The Little Human, she just knows she’ll get the leading role. Especially since world-renowned merstar Angelfish Molie is judging the tryouts!
But in a shocking turn of events, Pearl’s best friend, Wanda, gets cast as the little human instead…and Pearl is stuck playing the stinky sea witch. Pearl can’t believe her best friend would steal her dream role from her.
After Pearl tries—and fails—to get Wanda to trade parts, she decides to quit the play. Are Pearl’s dreams of being a sea star doomed? And can she and Wanda patch up their friendship before it goes up in bubbles? 

My Review: 
I'm really surprised by how much I've been liking each story. They're getting better! Although I don't love that this book focuses on Pearl, the mean popular girl, the reader sees her in a different light. I loved the creativity of this Mermaid Tale, and thought The Little Human joke was so cute! We also see how Pearl is finally NICE! I hope we see more of this in future novels. 
 Little mers will learn the importance of supporting roles, and that there is more than just being the star. I give this book (****) 4 stars.

-Sirenita The Selkie 

Mermaid Tales #11: The Polar Bear Express by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Dadey
Pages: 128

Summary(goodreads.com):
A lost baby polar bear shares the spotlight with a popular boy band in this Mermaid Tales adventure.
Kiki Coral is thrilled beyond words when she meets a brand-new friend: a baby polar bear! The problem is, the little bear, whose name is Nestor, has floated away from home on a patch of ice and now he’s lost, hungry, and all alone!
Kiki, Shelly, and Echo want to send Nestor back to his home on the Manta Ray Express, but a one-way ticket costs a whopping four jewels! That’s a fortune! Not to mention, all anyone at school can talk about is the Rays, who are performing a concert in Poseidon. Kiki loves the cute boy band as much as the next mergirl, but what about Nestor? Isn’t saving him more important than a concert?
Can Kiki and her friends find a fun way to send their new furry friend home—and hang out with the Rays in the process? 


My Review:
I was really happy when Dadey decided to focus on major environmental issues in this latest mermaid tale, specifically focusing on polar bears, melting ice, and global warming. Not only does this book teach young children about the value of the environment, but how they can help! One way Kiki and her friends raise money is by creating a fundraiser event. 

The only character who always annoys me is Pearl. Would it kill her to not be a spoiled brat for once?? The ending of this book was so sweet that I almost cried :,)!
I loved this mermaid tale! (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie 

Mermaid Tales #10: A Tale of Two Sisters by Debbie Dadey

Book Type: Novel
Author: Debbie Dadey
Pages: 128

Summary(goodreads.com):
Echo is thrilled to find a human object in this Mermaid Tales adventure, but will sibling rivalry keep her from appreciating her prize?
Echo is dogfish tired of having to share everything with her bossy big sister, Crystal. So she’s extra excited when she stumbles upon a shiny human object near her shell. Finally, something of her very own!
Echo is obsessed with people, so she’s very curious as to what her fin-tastic human find might be. Could it be something totally wavy, like a music-making machine? What if it’s something that could allow her to actually talk to humans?
Before she can find out, Crystal swipes the object, claiming she found it first! Echo is steaming mad. After the mergirls duke it out in a messy tug of war, their mother takes the object away. “You’ll get this back when you can learn to get along,” she tells them. But that’s easier said than done. How far is Echo willing to go to get her precious human object back?

My Review:
One of the most common issues children learn to deal with is sibling rivalry, and I'm happy that Dadey decided to highlight this in one of her books. One of my favorite characters in this series is Echo. She reminds me so much of Ariel and how she loves all things human!

I also loved that this book teaches about sacrifices for family and the value of promises. Most importantly, it teaches sharing. I really enjoyed this sweet sister story! I give this book (*****) 5 stars.
-Sirenita The Selkie 

Book 3 Of The Mer Tales Is Finished!

Hi Merfolk!

The third book of the Mer Tales series is reviewed!

Mer Tales Series

Only one more book to go!

-Sirenita The Selkie 

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