The Singing Mermaid is the perfect read for a time of year when we’re dreaming of seaside holidays. This beautifully illustrated, tactile, rhyming story demonstrates that even the biggest problems can be solved with a little help from your friends.
The Story: Circus owner Sam Sly hears the mermaid singing while he is walking along the beach at Silversands. He lures her back to his circus with promises of fame and a life of luxury but he has lied. The mermaid shares a caravan with Annie the acrobat and sleeps in a fishtank. She pleads for Sam to release her but her pleas fall on deaf ears. When the circus returns to Silversands, a seagull and Annie help the mermaid to plan her escape…
The mermaid is very gullible, despite her friends’ warnings she joins Sam Sly’s circus only to discover that the reality is very different to her dream of fame and riches. Although the mermaid makes friends in the circus her heart remains in Silversands. But how can a mermaid escape from a caravan when she doesn’t have any legs? Thanks to Annie and a clever seagull, the mermaid finds a way to return to the sea (but we won’t spoil the story and tell you how!).
Lydia Monk’s illustrations are beautiful and really tactile. The pictures are embossed and glittery and you can’t help stroking them as your read! My favourite spread shows the mermaid singing to the sea creatures which include glittery seahorses and jellyfish. My daughter loves the picture showing the mermaid with her circus friends – dogs, a cat, a juggler, a clown and Annie. The rhyming text is bouncy and easy to read which makes it a fun book for reading aloud but also a great book for beginner readers.
The Singing Mermaid would be a lovely book to include in a classroom topic about the sea. The first double spread shows the mermaid singing under the sea, there are lots of different (glittery) marine creatures for children to identify.
A lovely story for any child who loves mermaids (and glitter!), there is also a CD to accompany the book.
Age Range: 3 +
Author: Julia Donaldson / Illustrator: Lydia Monks
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