Books for Mermaid Story Time?

[LauraLWatson]

Can anyone recommend books that my company, The MerFriends, can keep in our "net of tricks" to read to groups of children? Ideally, these would be children's story books, and I'd love it if there was a lesson buried within the story. (Story is most important.) We would read these at storytime events (libraries, schools, daycares), rained out events where the pool or lake is cleared and the swimming mermaid is beached, and maybe educational appearances. Most interested in lessons about water safety, environmental responsibility, and kindness. Titles, author, and a short description would be great. And if you know where I can buy them cheap- even better. I'll be buying 5 copies of each book (one for each member of the mer-troupe). Thanks!

[Mermaid Tory]

I remember reading "The Rainbow Fish" as a child. Here's so e info on it I just copied from wiki.the art is pretty too because the scales are actually shiny.


The story tells of a fish with shiny, multi-colored scales named Rainbow Fish. He is always fond of his scales. But one day, a small fish asks him if he could have one. Rainbow Fish refuses in a very rude way. The other fish are really upset about his behavior and don't want to play with him anymore.


Feeling upset, his only friend left, the starfish, tells him to go visit the mysterious octopus for advice. Rainbow Fish finds the octopus and asks what he should do. The octopus tells him that he must share the beauty of his scales with his friends.


When he encounters the small fish a second time, the Rainbow Fish gives him one of his precious scales and, seeing the joy of this little fish, feels immediately much better. Very soon Rainbow Fish is surrounded by other fish requesting scales and he gives to each of them one of his shiny scales.


The author about his book:


"'Rainbow Fish' has no political message. The story shows us the joy of sharing. We all enjoy making presents for Christmas or birthdays and we are feeling good doing so. I want to show to our children the positive aspect of sharing: To share does not only mean to give away something (which is quite hard for a child), but above all to make happy someone else - and itself."

[Mermaid Momo]

This book has amazing illustrations and stories from all cultures to help all kids feel included and keeps the stories diverse
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9i1hoV1jDxE/T9D9EgN0e-I/AAAAAAAAAJE/EldnbLDy9WE/s1600/A-Treasury-of-Mermaids-9780060238766.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/617fTEUe-QL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
http://www.teachingbooks.net//media/bookimages/internals/SukeyAndTheMermaid.jpg

Sukey and the mermaid is another one of my faves. Traditionally it was only told orally, and the way you're supposed to tell it was in a sing song way, like you were singing a song rather than telling a story. (usually what I noticed is that I start out just reading it, but the rhythm of the story makes you end up somewhat singing it anyway haha) It's meant to be a coming of age story.(Though if I remember, in the end, the mermaid is shot or that may be another story I'm thinking of)

Sukey and the mermaid is also used in classrooms as a teaching book and has lesson plans on the web for it (if any mers are interested in looking for it)
A bit about the book: https://dearassalt.wordpress.com/2011/09/17/sukey-and-the-mermaid/
http://img.luzbooks.com/images/A_Book_of_Mermaids-2.jpg
I've never personally read this one so I don't know the reading level. Seems to be a collection of mermaid stories.

[Mermaid Momo]

and one more http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12nyn-kxrOI/T9FeIqOqq0I/AAAAAAAAAJg/JPd9ErF4-UI/s320/9781841212968.jpg

[AniaR]

Baby beluga!!! One of my favs for Lil ones :D

[LauraLWatson]

Thanks! These are AMAZING recommendations!


This book has amazing illustrations and stories from all cultures to help all kids feel included and keeps the stories diverse
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9i1hoV1jDxE/T9D9EgN0e-I/AAAAAAAAAJE/EldnbLDy9WE/s1600/A-Treasury-of-Mermaids-9780060238766.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/617fTEUe-QL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg
http://www.teachingbooks.net//media/bookimages/internals/SukeyAndTheMermaid.jpg

Sukey and the mermaid is another one of my faves. Traditionally it was only told orally, and the way you're supposed to tell it was in a sing song way, like you were singing a song rather than telling a story. (usually what I noticed is that I start out just reading it, but the rhythm of the story makes you end up somewhat singing it anyway haha) It's meant to be a coming of age story.(Though if I remember, in the end, the mermaid is shot or that may be another story I'm thinking of)

Sukey and the mermaid is also used in classrooms as a teaching book and has lesson plans on the web for it (if any mers are interested in looking for it)
A bit about the book: https://dearassalt.wordpress.com/2011/09/17/sukey-and-the-mermaid/
http://img.luzbooks.com/images/A_Book_of_Mermaids-2.jpg
I've never personally read this one so I don't know the reading level. Seems to be a collection of mermaid stories.

[Little_Orca]

The Mermaid and The Shoe is a very sweet one. I also remember "The Seal Mother" but that one is older and out of print and EXPENSIVE to find. *covets hers*

[BriannaPixieDee]

Emily Windsnap is a cute book.

Serendipity the Pink Dragon/Dinosaur by Stephen Cosgrove while not a mermaid is a favorite among kids.

And William Joyce's Picture books are great. The Sandman one has mermaids in it and they help Sandy :D

That's about all I can think of for younger ones. If you have the age range 8-12 Aquamarine is a nice chapter book.

[Little_Orca]

There is a mermaid I know who is on Facebook whose mermaid persona is a grandmother mermaid and she often does read stories to children in the dry portion of the mermaid cove I volunteer with. You should see if you can get into contact with her. Her name is Orchid and she also dresses as a giant, lit-up rainbow jellyfish.

[Mermaid Momo]

Emily Windsnap is a cute book.

Serendipity the Pink Dragon/Dinosaur by Stephen Cosgrove while not a mermaid is a favorite among kids.

And William Joyce's Picture books are great. The Sandman one has mermaids in it and they help Sandy :D

That's about all I can think of for younger ones. If you have the age range 8-12 Aquamarine is a nice chapter book.

Didn't Aquamarine first show up in an anthology of stories by the same author called Blue or something like that? I remember reading it along with a story about 2 brothers who found out they weren't human (the book included mermaids and other aquatic human beings who were like mermaids but didn't have a tail and such and maybe just had scales or could breath under water) and their small town was completely flooded by a flash flood and they were swept away and survived because they were such strong swimmers.
I'll try finding it :) But I read it such a long time ago, I can recognize the cover if I saw it, but I don't remember the title to look it up.

EDIT: nevermind, it was this and they combined the two different novels in one. http://www.paperbackswap.com/Water-Tales-Aquamarine-Alice-Hoffman/book/0439474140/

[Mermaid Galene]

I do a monthly faerie mermaid storytime at our local library. All of the books I read teach children about animals and nature. I recently read/sang Over In the Ocean: In A Coral Reef and Little Swan (about the life cycle of trumpeter swans). Next month it's A Frog In the Bog.

[LauraLWatson]

All GREAT suggestions everyone. Makes me ALMOST wish for rainouts at our next appearance. ALMOST. hehe.

[Mermaid Olivia!]

Check out Aqualicious by Victoria Kann! It's part of the Pinkalicious series- a little girl finds a tiny mermaid hiding in a seashell at the beach, and they try to take the mermaid back to her home. Such a cute story, and the illustrations are adorable too!
http://www.amazon.com/Aqualicious-Pinkalicious-Victoria-Kann/dp/0062330160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430111313&sr=8-1&keywords=aqualicious+book

[Silva]

What about a picture book of The Little Mermaid (the original, not the Disney version) Should be alright for 6 and up.
This particular edition has gorgeous pictures: http://www.amazon.com/The-Little-Mermaid-Ian-Beck/dp/0385608098

[Silva]

Also, the Not Quite a Mermaid series by Linda Chapman is cute http://www.lindachapmanauthor.co.uk/nqam.htm

[BayouMermaid]

Mermaid Dance is the best book I've found so far. http://www.amazon.com/Mermaid-Dance-Marjorie-Hakala/dp/1934706477

[Mermaid Galene]

Mermaid Dance looks lovely! At our next library storytime I'm reading "Not Norman," which is a sweet little book about a boy who can only have a goldfish for a pet. He starts out bemoaning all the things Norman can't do, and in the end, falls in love with his fish and realizes he might part with some other pet, but Not Norman!

[LauraLWatson]

I want ALL the books!!!

Mermaid Library. This needs to happen.

[SeaGlass Siren]

A single pearl.
Marvelous story about a pearl that starts off as a grain if sand and feeling like the worst thing in existence and then when it's matured into a lovely pearl it realizes how much it's truly worth.

Illustrations are mesmerizing and beautiful.
Published by Disney hyperion. Same publishing company that did the Deep blue and rogue waves books.

[OceanWhisper]

^^^ lol- not trying to sound awful, but.... The ugly duckling. That's what that story is >.<

[Silva]

For maybe the preteen crowd Ingo is an amazing novel. It does have the 'b word' in it, but it's used in the context to mean a female dog, and the sentence can be read leaving it out, and it still makes sense

[Silva]

The Mermaid's Sister is also good.

[Mermaid Galene]

I love the idea behind A Single Pearl! I was a pro puppeteer for 25 years, and my company name was Freshwater Pearls Puppetry (http://freshwaterpearlspuppetry.com/). I have always thought of the pearl as a metaphor for art. Much wonderful art is born from hardship, just as a pearl is created because of trauma to the oyster or mussel. That grain of sand is an irritant that stimulates the animal to coat it in layers, cushioning its tender flesh. Beauty from pain.

I'm for sure going to get a copy of The Single Pearl!

[SweeteSiren]

...and the poem "Elves in the Shelves".

[SeaGlass Siren]

Someone mentioned the idea of a mermaid library.

I volunteer to start it

[LauraLWatson]

Someone mentioned the idea of a mermaid library.

I volunteer to start it


I fully support you.

[OceanWhisper]

I just remembered a story I loved as a child: There's a sea in my bedroom! By Margaret wild. There are lots of cheap copies on eBay :) not mermaid- but still related :mermaid kiss:

[RobertWalker]

I really enjoyed this tale. I always liked reading books in general. And now when I'm a student I try to take time to read, but I don't always get to. Even before I went to university, I didn't have time for my favorite activities. I had some difficulties with my personal statement. I wanted to make it as competitive and compelling as possible for the committee. The personal writers (https://www.personalstatementwriter.org/) helped me in this, and I am very glad that I turned to them for help. It was the only way I could show my strengths to the admissions committee and be accepted with ease.

[Lorrytorry]

I really like reading fiction, my whole collection of books in this genre. I even tried to write my own fantasy stories, but it was hard for me, so I have some grammar problems. Even for my homework, I ask for help at https://www.topwritersreview.com/best-websites-for-affordable-proofreading-services-online/ . I trust them because they are good professionals. I hope someday I will be able to learn the same way.