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deldc's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
raindrops333's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
katieannwicked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
siriface's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
librarydreams's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I love that this book is based on a real festival (the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, if memory serves), but I wish that Love had included some information on said festival in the backmatter. Loves illustrations are magical and the choice of brown paper is brilliant. The wordless sections make this book a bit challenging to read-aloud, but it's worth it. I especially like to show the children the differing endpapers at the beginning and end of the book before we read to get their imaginations going.
lady_doowop's review against another edition
5.0
Right off the bat these illustrations are gorgeous! Every character, even background charters, are unique and colorful.The story is also very sweet! His abuela takes him at the end to what I assume is the famous Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. I love how she sees him in her curtain's with a plant on his head and instead of getting mad comes back with a necklace to complete his outfit. Overall these with a really beautiful picture book that I very much enjoyed.
tarawe's review against another edition
5.0
The story is beautiful but the illustrations are magical.
capnlinnius's review against another edition
5.0
More children's books like this one, please!
The art is so beautiful, the story is simple yet deep and important, and it made me teary eyed. There is so much great representation in these few pages!
And it reminded me of myself and my little brother, and made me think about how children don't care about things (i e whether your clothes are feminine or masculine, if you play that you're a fairy or a knight or a doctor or a mom) until adults make them learn that they should (you're a boy/girl, so you shouldn't wear/pretend to be that). I wish books like this were a thing in the 80s when I grew up, but I'm so pleased that they are here for the kids growing up now.
The art is so beautiful, the story is simple yet deep and important, and it made me teary eyed. There is so much great representation in these few pages!
And it reminded me of myself and my little brother, and made me think about how children don't care about things (i e whether your clothes are feminine or masculine, if you play that you're a fairy or a knight or a doctor or a mom) until adults make them learn that they should (you're a boy/girl, so you shouldn't wear/pretend to be that). I wish books like this were a thing in the 80s when I grew up, but I'm so pleased that they are here for the kids growing up now.
simonlorden's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely beautiful illustrations. There's surprisingly little dialogue, even for a picture book - it doesn't really "explain" to you why it's okay for a little boy to dress as a mermaid, it just shows you that it is. That was nice (even though there's nothing wrong with explaining, especially in a kid's book, but variety is nice). I also liked the mermaids being diverse in ages and body types, including older and fat mermaids on the pictures :)