Reviews (4)

A mermaid reference book for the easily pleased.
Love research on folklore. And compilations of myth or legend.
Quite Fascinating
I've been fascinated with mermaids all my life.I have recently been trying to collect as many books as possible for my personal library.A couple of months ago, my obsession turned to mermaids.I ordered this book and another that mostly contained pictures.
Magickal Mermaids And Water Creatures: Invoke The Magick Of The Waters
Love theauthor's presentation. It make you feel like you are one with the mermaids. I don't like to read much. But this book got me reading page by page.
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Subjects:  1. Body, Mind & Spirit    2. Folklore    3. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    4. Magick Studies    5. Mermaids    6. New Age    7. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    8. Ocean    9. Sea monsters    10. Magic & alchemy    11. Mind, Body, Spirit   

Reviews (1)

Ariel Plays Hide and Seek With a Baby Seal
This 29-page, lavishly illustrated book features Ariel--the beloved Mermaid from the Disney movie The Little Mermaid. Flounder makes an appearance in Sealed with a Kiss, as does Scuttle the bird.
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Subjects:  1. Animals - Mammals    2. Animals - Marine Life    3. Children's 4-8 - Fiction - General    4. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    5. Children: Grades 1-2    6. Children: Kindergarten    7. Juvenile Easy Readers    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mermaids    10. Movie Tie - In    11. Readers - Beginner    12. Social Issues - Friendship    13. Social Issues - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In   

Reviews (1)

Elephants are not the only Fantastic Creatures!
Page aften page of strange and curious imaginary creatures, mermaids and monkeys!A delightful book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Elephants    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Preschool    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Kidnapping    7. Mermaids    8. Mermaids and mermen    9. Monkeys    10. Readers - Beginner    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Elephants   

Editorial Review

DonnaJo Napoli thoughtfully and poetically reexamined the story of Hansel and Gretel from the witch's point of view in Read more

Reviews (117)

A story that sparkles...
Personally, I think this book deserves ten stars. If someone were to ask me what my favorite book is, I think I would have to point to this one! Donna Jo Napoli has done an out-of-this-world job. Her writing style is very unique. I believe I saw it described as "sugary" elsewhere, but I can't agree with that. Her imagery is almost surreal in its vividness. You can taste the salt water and hear the cries of their three guardian birds. You can feel in your own chest the wracking sobs of Sirena and her sisters when they inadvertantly cause the death of a ship filled with Greek warriors who - unknown to the young mermaids - don't know how to swim. Napoli's love scenes, while suggestive, aren't crude or overly graphic. They are sweet and tender, and it is obvious how deeply Sirena loves Philoctetes. I also appreciate that Napoli doesn't tell the reader why we should fall in love with Philoctetes, or why we should sympathize with Sirena, she SHOWS it. She makes us feel for this sea maiden. Sirena herself is a heroine such as I have not found in many other novels. She captures the mind with her innocence and her own strong sense of honor and morals. You can't help but love her. She sparkles.
Sirena- not what I was expecting
I am slightly disappointed by author Donna Jo Napoli.
Sirena Review
Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli was a lovely novel. A mix of romance and adventure. The story starts of on the island Anthemoessa with Sirena and her 11 sisters. Sirena is a mermaid. Unusaully tradgedy strikes in the very beginning of this book, taking with it Sirena's sister Cecilia.
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Subjects:  1. Aegean Sea Region    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Legends, Myths, & Fables - Greek & Roman    8. Mermaids    9. Mermaids and mermen    10. Mythology, Greek   

Reviews (11)

For Mermaid Lovers
If you love Mermaids you must own a copy of this book! This book is so sweetly put together. The images were carefully chosen; so beautiful and elegant. Ratisseau did an exquisite job. Her Fairies book is just as lovely too. One will also like Lori Eisenkraft-Palazzola's books too if they like this one.

Simply Lovely!
I had my eye on this book for quite some time when I ordered it a couple months ago.I was looking for a book with mostly pictures and not too much text on mermaids.This is perfect.I only wish it was longer.This book has page after page of beautiful pictures.There are also poems and quotes from books, journals, etc about merfolk.
Was looking for pictures of mermaids....
And in this book I found a pretty good assortment.I'm very fond of Laughing Elephant Books, which seems to specialize in illustrations from old children's books.I was pretty pleased with the group of pictures in this book and can only complain that I wanted MORE!
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Subjects:  1. Art    2. Folklore & Mythology - Folklore    3. General    4. Mermaids    5. Mermaids in art    6. Sociology   

Reviews (12)

The perfect find for any beachcomber with a love of water!
Sixteen-year-old Corwin has spent all of his life foraging the land for money and his next meal. So, on a beach-combing excursion, when he stumbles upon a unique shell that holds a rare beauty, he is absolutely convinced that it will sell for a pretty penny, and give him the riches that he's dreamed of, and longer for since childhood. However, when the shell is stolen from him by the vicious King Vortigern and his spiteful son, Corwin's dreams of riches are dashed, and he finds himself back at square one. But Corwin's adventures with the illustrious shell are not over. For the shell has left its mark upon Corwin. And, with this mark, comes a head full of visions about a beautiful girl, who carries a mysterious secret along with her. Corwin longs to learn more about this secret, and meet this silver-haired beauty, so when he suddenly comes face-to-face with the girl from his visions, he is shocked witless. But not for long. Soon Corwin finds that the girl is none other than sixteen-year-old Nia, a mermyd from the Blue Fin clan - a family found only in the very depths of the ocean, in the lost city of Atlantis. With Nia's help, Corwin and the water-loving beauty must join forces in an attempt to find the stolen shell. For, much like Corwin thought on first sight, this is no ordinary shell. Instead, it is a key to the future of Atlantis, and a necessity for Corwin and Nia's survival. A shell that will determine the life of all those still living in Atlantis, while at the same time bring Nia and Corwin to terms with their newfound magical abilities.
"The Sun Rides on his Shoulder but he Brings the Storm!"
"Reunion" is the second book in the "Water" trilogy, beginning with "Ascension" and ending in "Transformation". In the previous book, the sixteen year old mermyd Niniane (called "Nia" for short), discovered betrayal and conspiracy in her underwater home of Atlantis. With the escape of an evil mermyd named Ma'el and the Farworlder (powerful, intelligent squid-like creatures) that he is telepathically connected to, Atlantis was overthrown and Nia the last living Farworlder were thrown ashore.
This is really good.
I love this series, and this book is definitely as good, if not better, than the previous book.Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Atlantis    4. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    5. Children: Grades 4-6    6. Fantasy    7. Fiction    8. Historical - Exploration & Discoveries    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Mermaids    11. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    12. Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure   

Reviews (3)

A must-have for any mermaid collector/admirer
This book was a favorite of mine as a child.I just recently found it at a local library and am currently reading it.I now remember why I borrowed it so much when I was young!It is full of various stories from around the world, portraying mermaids both noble and mischievous.Truly detailed, imaginative, amazing.A must-have book!

A book of mermaids
This is one of the best books I've ever read. All of the stories have a distinct flavor and mix of all that is to be had in a fairtale book. All the stories are unique and are unlike any modern tale. And I've got a copy, yaaay!

Classic Fairy Stories
In third grade I was obsessed with mythology and folklore so, naturally, I gravitated toward this title.The book was old and neglected in my grade school library but something spoke to me in its dated English and gorgeous but sparse illustrations. These tales are the real item; not a bit of harsh family life, violence or unrequited love has been left out.I remember being very impressed with its reality.It's a shame that another printing isn't available; I don't think I'll be able to scrape together almost $200.00 to purchase the copy this search found.If you are fortunate enough to find one, snap it up to keep with your Sandman and Brothers Grimm. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's stories    2. Fiction    3. Folklore    4. Juvenile literature    5. Mermaids   

Editorial Review

"Once upon a time, long, long ago, where the forest runs down to the ocean, a hunter lived all alone in a house made of logs he had chopped for himself and shingles he had split for himself." These words ease the reader into the elegant, dreamlike world of Randall Jarrell's Newbery Honor book Read more

Reviews (17)

Beautiful
I read this as a child.It got stuck in my mind, but I could never remember the title, thinking of it only as the story of the Hunter and the Mermaid.I searched for it for years.
A fairy tale brought to life
Every once in a while, an author manages to pull off a novel that carries with it the exact tone and magical feeling of a fairy tale. In the genre of The Last Unicorn and The Princess Bride, this beautiful story takes you into a peaceful world where a lonely hunter lives by the sea.
The Animal Family
This book is truly what you would call a beautifully written piece of literature. It is the story of a lonely hunter who meets a mermaid. She comes to live with him despite being torn between her home in the sea and her love for the hunter. They live happily except that they wish for a child. Since to have a human child is not possible, the hunter first brings home a bear cub and then a lynx who become like their children. This story has a wonderful, dreamlike quality to it. The words and story flow lyrically and almost timelessly and the descriptions are simple and wonderfully vivid and beautiful. It will apeal to all ages. Children will like the funny story and gentleness of the words and teens and adults will find the deeper meaning as well as appreaciate the lovely scenes. This is a book you will want to read over and over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Animals - Bears    2. Animals - Marine Life    3. Bears    4. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Classics    8. Fiction    9. Hunters    10. Lynx    11. Mermaids    12. Animal stories    13. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Subjects:  1. Bilingual books    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Classics    4. English-Spanish    5. Fairy tales    6. Fiction    7. Humorous Stories    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Mermaids    10. Spanish: Grades 2-3    11. Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories   

Reviews (12)

This is the MICHAEL HAGUE illustrated version!
There are many beautiful versions of this book, and I'm sure I'll eventually see all of the ones that people have reviewed here, but that cover you see up top is from the version illustrated by Michael Hague. I'm a little biased, but the book is really stunning: the artwork balances nicely between beautiful and frightening, and Andersen's original text tell's the Little Mermaid's simple story with a sensitivity toward her character that is rare in fiction written during the same period. While I'll admit that this book is probably best appreciated by children 6 years old and up, DO NOT insult your child's intelligence or maturity by thinking they can't handle a story in which the main character dies....the beauty of the story is in the the universal truth that love conquers all, outliving even death. What better lesson to teach children?

One of my childhood favorites
I remember when I got this when I was a tiny girl and I loved it even more than the Disney version. Then I ended up losing it and I ended up forgetting about it. Then a few weeks ago, I suddenly remembered it and wished that I hadn't lost it since it was one of my favorite tales as a child. I found it on here and instantly ordered it and immensely enjoyed the memories that I once had when my mom and I read it together.
Beautiful Book
This is probably the most beautiful and well executed book I have had the pleasure of experiencing. I collect art and this is truly a work of art. It harks back to the children's books of the past such as Dulac. I will enjoy this book for years to come and recommend it to all who can appreciate great art and a great storyteller, that is Mr. Anderson. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - European    4. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title    5. Fairy tales    6. Fiction    7. Mermaids    8. Mermaids and mermen    9. Picture books   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Baby-Preschool    2. Children: Preschool    3. Concepts - Sense & Sensation    4. Concepts - Senses & Sensation    5. Fiction    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Mermaids    8. Preschool Picture Story Books    9. Specimens    10. Textured books    11. Touch   

Reviews (25)

The islander
I have read a chapter book called The Islander. It's about a boy named Daniel. His mother and father died,so he went to go live with his grandfather. His grandfather lived on a little island. Daniel got older one day and apparently his grandfather died. Back when Daniel was a kid, he saved a little girl,who wondered off into the forest. Daniel also found a mermaid.
the islander
Grade 4 Up?A young man recalls his childhood on a remote island off the coast of British Columbia. The novel begins when 10-year-old Daniel, who lives with his reticent grandfather, is overcome with loneliness and turns to the sea in search of a friend. In response to his message in a bottle, a mermaid briefly appears. Another note asking her to return results in a key delivered by an otter with a diamond-shaped mark on his forehead. Later, Daniel finds that the key has magical powers. He discovers that he has a talent for helping birds, and he and his grandfather grow closer as they care for them together. Many years later, his grandfather dies, and Daniel discovers a photo of a young girl and her dog, which has a white diamond-shaped mark on his forehead. He learns that the girl was his grandfather's sister who perished while diving into the ocean during a storm to save the dog. Entirely alone and grief stricken, Daniel suddenly feels the long-silent key vibrate once again. It leads him to a box containing a puppy, who becomes the first member of his new family. Drawing on her talent for simple yet beautiful language to tell a story, Rylant tries her hand at fantasy with mixed results. Her heavy reliance on symbolism finally snaps the thin threads of credulity so necessary in successful fantasy, and young readers may miss their meaning. In addition, the emphasis on Daniel's spiritual journey rather than his character and the unemotional account of events combine to reduce readers' involvement.

An exciting tale
The Islander is an amazing tale about boy named Danel. Danel is an only child and he lost his parents from a tragic plane crash,so, he lives with his grandfather at his island.Danel is very lonely because he doesn't have any friends. So he spends most of his time walking on his grandfathers beach. One day while Danel was walking on the beach he finds an otter with a diamond on his head,the otter comes to shore and gives Danel a key. This key has special powers that helps him find a missing girl and live animals after a strong hurrcane that hit the islands. Soon after that his grandfather dies while he was sleeping. 7 years later he is old enogh to live on his own and leave his grandfathers friends house. One night he hears his key that helped him find the missing girl rumbling. Danel then hears a weird sound coming from the bushes.He follows the sound and finds a box with a lock on it. Danel looks on his neck where the key is .He tries thekey to open the lock and it works.Danel finds a little puppy inside that turns out to be a real trouble maker. Danel falls in love with the girl he saved and wants to marry her once she's old enough.In the end he writes to the mermaid again and says thank you for everything. This story has excitment,love,sadness,and mystery. This story is one of the best stories Cynthia Rylant has ever written! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Family - General    4. Fiction    5. Islands    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Loneliness    8. Mermaids    9. Social Issues - Adolescence    10. Social Situations - Adolescence    11. Juvenile Fiction / Social Situations / General   

Reviews (9)

This book made me cry
dear whoever is reading this,
Funny and exciting
This is the worlds BEST book! As a Mermaid freak,I couldn't put this book down. Mixed with humor and romance, this is defently a book for those who enjoy fantasy. There REALLY needs to be a second one!
A BOOK REVIEW BY STAR GIRL
You should read this book! It is the best book ever! It is like a twist on the classic fairytale The Little Mermaid! It is for everyone who wants a teenage romance story! I thing it is best for ages 9 and up! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Juvenile Science Fiction / Fantasy    6. Love    7. Love & Romance    8. Mermaids    9. Mermaids and mermen    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Social Issues - Adolescence    12. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (3)

Even Better than I thought!
I'd been debating whether to get this book for a long time and I couldn't be happier that I finally did. Bateman's powerful story about a young fisherman faced with a merbaby and a crucial decision is magnified by Brewster's striking and vibrant illustrations. When a young man catches a merbaby, he must choose between the fame and fortune she could win him and his brother or the precious innocence that would be lost if he kept her. His decision is made more difficult by the fact that the local merpeople-including the merbaby's own mother-are far from friendly. If he chooses to return her to the sea, he could risk his own life in the process. The story here is well told as well as suspenseful and ultimately touching. Brewster's illustrations are top-notch; along with the gorgeous sea-coloring in the pictures, the merpeople are gorgeous and exotic, though with a hostility that gives them a chilling edge. The picture of the siren on the rock combing her hair with a fish skeleton instead of a jeweled comb is wonderfully symbolic. Like another person said, it's truly a shame that some of Brewster's books are out of print as she is one of the best painters out there. I highly recommend this sea-gem to all ages!

beautiful
a cute story of discovery and innocence. The illustrations are a "virtual undersea adventure"

Beautiful and Beguiling
I think I would give this wonderful picture book five stars even if the text was tripe because the illustrations are so lovely but fortunately the text is equally good. Two fisherman brothers, one an idealistic dreamer and the other a materialistic schemer accidentally pull up a baby mermaid in their nets along with their catch of fish. Both brothers see dollar signs, one hoping for riches and fame, the other wishing for a carefree life of exploration and discovery. They decide to sell her as a curiosity and make their fortune.The dreamy brother falls in love with the adorable merbaby and his conscience won't let him sell her into a miserable life on land. In the end kindness is rewarded. The story also reveals an age old enmity between the sea folk and the land folk because of the way land folk plunder and abuse the gifts of the sea. It has a good message about ecology and respect for other beings rather than dominance and destruction.The large double spread illustrations have an atmospheric sea-green wash and are as sure to enchant as a mermaid's voice. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brothers    2. Children's 4-8 - Picturebooks    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. Conduct of life    5. Fiction    6. Fishers    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Mermaids    9. Readers - Beginner    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Social Issues - Values   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. Friendship    5. General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Mermaids    8. Social Issues - Friendship   

Reviews (34)

Human or Mermaid
I read Midnight Pearls, and if you like disney princess story or fantasy book then you would like this book. The main story you will read about is Pearl. Finneas who acts like her father found her. He takes her to shore. She ends up staying with Finneas adn his wife Mary. They take care of her even through she looks so much different then the other people. When she was seven and at the beach she meets the Prince James. They secretly become friends, meaning no one knows about them. It starts to talk about her being sixteen for the rest of the book. Her parents tell her at dinner that she has to get marry, she ask if anyone has asked. They say yes the blacksmith ask. Kale comes into the picture and tells her that they are engaged. Now you have to read the book and see what will happen next. These are all the main character you will about are Peral, Prince James, Kale and Faye.These are the characters it will manily talk about.

Great short read
I personally loved the book, even though I agree with other reviewers who have stated that the characters were under-characterized, but I think their personalities still shone through, and although it did look like the love interest looked like it MIGHT have gone a different direction there were plenty of clear indications how it was going to happen.. including and especially the very first page in the book. So my hopes weren't dashed or any such thing. Yeah I would agree there were too many "chills going up the spine" phrases but it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I thought it was well written, sweet and satisifying. And if you like that sort of thing (which I obviously do) then I would recommend it.

The Little Mermaid(s)
In this edition of the once Upon a Time series we get a fresh new look at the tale of The Little Mermaid (one of the few fairy tales to actually have a monument).Like others in this series, there is far more to the story than we previously knew.Here we meet a fisherman and his wife who find a daughter during a storm.The fisherman rescues her with a net and decide to bring her up as their own.The girl is pale with unusually colored hair and very long legs.Because she is clutching a huge pearl they decide to name her Pearl.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - Fantasy    2. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    3. Fantasy fiction    4. Fiction    5. Juvenile Fiction    6. Love    7. Mermaids    8. Science Fiction / Fantasy (Young Adult)    9. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    10. Juvenile Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Single Title   

Reviews (6)

The Little Mermaid by Michael Teitelbaum
-A wonderful story!!! I still go through the feelings and emotions that happen throughout the book. I think it's a great under water sea story and I recommend it to any little girl!

Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid was good story, I like how she got to get married to the man she loved. Even though her dad didn't want her to go, he changed his mind.

The Little Mermaid by Myriah Rangel
This book is about a mermaid named Ariel, that is really fascinated by human treasures.She always wanted to be like a human.One day she sees a ship, and her and scuttle (her flying friend) went to see what it was, it was humans dancing.There had been a storm, and the human she liked was named Prince Eric and he fell in the water.He started to drown, but Ariel couldn't let her prince drown, so she took him to the surface.She sang him a beautiful song, while stroking his hair.Then his crew started to come, so she took off.Flounder her best friend who was a fish was with her later that day, and she told him about how she dreamed of seeing him again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 2-3    3. Classics    4. Fiction    5. Girls & Women    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. Marine animals    8. Mermaids    9. Princes    10. Juvenile Fiction / Classics   

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 1-2    3. Dragons    4. Fiction    5. General    6. Imagination & Play    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Loneliness    9. Mermaids    10. Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Magic    11. Social Issues - Values    12. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Reviews (3)

cool!
There aree some weird grownups in Bailey city but could the singing track coach with long hair really be a magical mermaid?

Well Written Kids' Story
Mermaids Don't Run Track is a good book for 3-5th graders. The characters are action oriented from the first page, and immediately face two interesting mysteries concerning the camp director and the track coach. The Bailey School kids suspect one is a werewolf and the other a mermaid. The art work is also very good and adds detail and interest to the story. The book is approximately 7,000 words long. Liked how Eddie was always trying to be the big shot.
My name is Leigh.I liked that Eddie tried to be always a smart aleck.And how he said that he would prove that Mrs. Waterford wasn't a mermaid.And whenever they got in the lake, Eddie would try to splash her. And I liked when Eddie pulled Liza in the water. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 2-3    4. Fiction    5. Lifestyles - City & Town Life    6. Lifestyles - City Life    7. Mermaids    8. Readers - Chapter Books    9. Schools    10. Sports & Recreation - Miscellaneous    11. Track and field    12. Juvenile Fiction / Readers / Chapter Books   

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8    2. Children: Kindergarten    3. Fiction    4. Juvenile fiction    5. Mermaids    6. Mermaids and mermen    7. Necklaces    8. Readers - Beginner