First Chapter Selection:
Oliver and the Seawigs by Philip Reeve, illustrated by Sarah McIntyre
Oliver and the Seawigs is a whimsical adventure for young readers ready for their first venture into chapter books. The story follows Oliver who sets sail after his parents vanish along with the mysterious islands they were exploring. Joining Oliver in his quest are a resourceful mermaid in search of an optician named Iris, a sentient island with self-esteem issues named Cliff, and Mr. Culpeper, a delightfully grumpy albatross.
As their journey continues, our heroes face challenges ranging from the dangerous (big scary island) to the ridiculous (swarms of sea monkeys). By the end, young readers will have had a just epic enough adventure along with a hearty side of laughter.
The text to illustration ratio is a perfect balance for kids transitioning to chapter books, and the language is never too complicated (though robust enough for some vocabulary skill building). A perfect combination of fun characters and settings, this is a great mer-read for young adventurers!
Graphic Novel Selection:
Fish Girl by David Wiesner and Donna Jo Napoli
Fish Girl is a mermaid who lives in an aquarium on the boardwalk. This is the only life she remembers, and she trusts King Neptune, the man who runs the aquarium, when he says her confinement is for her safety.
But when Fish Girl secretly befriends a human girl, she realizes her life is not what she assumed it to be. Now she needs to conquer her fears, fight for her freedom, and take control of her future. A classic fairy tale set up and execution, the story of Fish Girl is a good story about affirmation and adventure.
What sets this story apart from other mermaid stories for young readers is the artwork. David Wiesner (who also illustrated the fabulous sea tale Flotsam) creates the perfect blend of line, color, mood, and composition that allows Fish Girl to drift between the real and fantastic. The mute Fish Girl wears her emotions with heartbreaking detail in every panel. The aquatic world she inhabits is full of wonder and colorful creatures, fuller than the ocean itself. The illustrations grip the imagination and immerse readers into Fish Girl’s journey in this fun and modern retelling of “The Little Mermaid.”
Middle Grade Selection:
The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
The first entry in Baptiste’s Jumbies trilogy, The Jumbies is a fun and spooky fairy tale rooted in Caribbean folklore. The Jumbies opens on an idyllic island that is home to Corrine La Mer and her father, Pierre. They’ve made a good, quiet life here. Pierre is a fisherman, Corrine sells oranges in the market, and their lives are peaceful. That is, until a chain of events leads Corrine and some new friends to suspect that their island home has been infiltrated by jumbies, creatures of myth and folklore notorious for causing trouble.
Corrine’s suspicions are solidified when she discovers Pierre has been bewitched by the beautiful but deadly, Severine. Corrine rallies her friends, her family, and the islanders to save their home before the jumbies take over.
Now, you’re asking, what does any of this have to do with merfolk? I’m not inclined to give that away, but anyone who speaks passing French will probably pick up on these threads early on. And if you like this story, the sequels incorporate West African mythology with the Caribbean folklore in fresh and fantastic ways.
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