Reading with Mermaid Aqua

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-02-2011, 07:18 PM

If this is in the wrong spot please feel free to move it

I was thinking about reading mermaid books at my local library in my tail this summer for service learning hours, but I'm a little worried because I am quite shy and I tend to feel very uncofortable about my mid section, I don't look like a fairytale mermaid what might kids say?My only experience with younger childeren was when I was a kindergarden character counts instuctor in middle school. Any advice? Ideas on what to do about my mid section??
Here are a couple other questions I have...
1) what do you do if you can not understand what a child says?
2) what should you do if a child does not behave while you are reading?
3) what should you do if a child announces that you are not a real mermaid?
And any other advice would be greatly apperciated as this is my first time in public with my tail...

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-02-2011, 09:45 PM

^ I have not seen any other topics that can help answer my question...but if you find one please send a link

^

**Mermaid Hamant** · 12-02-2011, 09:57 PM

I don't think the appearance should matter - with kids personality is key. Everybody is beautiful, just not always in the same ways that the media tries to conform everybody to. However, if you are truly concerned about appearance and think it would make you feel more comfortable, you could wear an ocean themed top, or maybe a pretty shawl to help cover your mid section. It might also be a good idea to take someone along with you as your helper, who has more experience with children. That way, if there is a problem, you won't be handling it on your own.

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-02-2011, 10:01 PM

^ Thank you very much! U sure can make a mermaid blush (#^_^#)
I'll be sure to have a librarian with me when I read aloud

**Spindrift** · 12-02-2011, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Mermaid Hamant

you could wear an ocean themed top, or maybe a pretty shawl to help cover your mid section.

The library might be cold anyway, since most are air conditioned. A more conservative top would also probably be more ideal around children and parents.

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-02-2011, 10:25 PM

^ Thats what I was going to do anyway...I'll probably just pick something ocean-y that goes w/ my tail! BTW my library is always freezing! ^

**Alveric** · 12-02-2011, 11:32 PM

If one of them challenges your authentic Merness, just tail-slap the little booger!

Alveric

(Of course you know I'm just kidding, right?)

**Mermaid Jewel** · 12-03-2011, 12:14 AM

There's two things to do if you don't understand the child: Ask them to repeat what they said or just nod and smile.

**Taniwha** · 12-03-2011, 04:10 AM

Yay for libraries!!! And reading to children!!! (I'm a childrens librarian, can you tell??

)

Kids are pretty non-judgmental really. Particularly when there are stories! Don't feel shy, just get into it and have fun. Even if you stuff it up a bit, they really wont mind! Just keep going. If you can't understand you can always have a guess - they can always correct you. Will they be there with their parents or a teacher of some kind? If so, rely on them to control the kids and just focus on the ones who are paying attention. If not wait and see if they calm down, or try hands on heads/fingers on lips or do an action song. My stand by is heads, shoulders, knees and toes (heads, shoulders, tail and fins maybe?!) to get attention back - for some kids sitting still is a bit ask! If they say you aren't a real mermaid, just play with it - ask them why not, if they've ever seen a real mermaid, ask if you look more like a unicorn, a dragon, santa etc

Overall, have lots of fun!

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-03-2011, 07:53 AM

^ Great ideas, thank u! I feel pretty confident now

^

Alveric- Of course I know you are just kidding LOL

Jewel- thanx for the help ^_^

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-03-2011, 08:32 AM

Thank u 2 whoever fixed my subject mistype

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-03-2011, 09:28 AM

Couple more questions for you mers...
1) what do you wear when you read/teach/etc.?
2) how did you create your mermaid persona/ your character?
3) what kinds of questions do the kids usually ask you? how do you reply?
4) Do the kids play with your tail? how do react to that?
5) Should I give out prizes/ mermaid gifts after I am are done reading?
6) Should I get to the library early so I can get my tail on and get everything set up?
7) Should I decorate the room a bit so it looks like a beach or something? wall scenes,etc..

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-03-2011, 11:28 AM

^ I saw that Raina gives out worry stones or mermaid stones to kids when she performs..I was thinking about doing this but don't know what to get..Small sea shells? Idk

**Mermaid Saphira** · 12-03-2011, 06:57 PM

What books should I read? Any suggestions??

**Spindrift** · 12-03-2011, 11:52 PM

fairytales?

**happyguava** · 12-04-2011, 12:11 AM

I wear my tail, obviously, and either a shell top or a nice, vaguely-mermaidy tummy-covering top. I always take both and usually get a gut feeling on the day as to whether shells would be okay or not.

My character is far from finished, but she's pretty much an over-the-top version of myself. It came quite naturally to me to make her kind of kooky and quirky, bouncy, happy, a user of puns, because that's what I'm like in real life, just on a smaller scale. Do what you know I guess

I get all sorts of questions - I act completely oblivious to the fact that human life is different. So for example "what do you eat?" often gets something like "lots of seaweed, of course, don't humans eat seaweed for every meal as well?"… or something. In my experience kids LOVE being able to go "noooo!! We eat sandwiches…" and then of course I have no idea what sandwiches are, and they take great delight in explaining it all. I always try to steer conversations so that the kids are talking just as much as I am, they seem to enjoy it much more than just listening.

Kids love playing with my tail. It's really funny watching them getting more confident as the gig goes on - at first they just look at it and kind of edge closer and closer and then someone will be brave enough to touch it. I always flinch and giggle and tell them it tickles

Hope that was vaguely helpful!