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bethmitcham's review
4.0
I liked the pictures and the simple story of figuring out a mystery and asking good questions.
Seashell pasties on young mermaids look a bit creepy though.
Seashell pasties on young mermaids look a bit creepy though.
tashrow's review
5.0
King Neptune’s 50 daughters are all special and talented in their own ways. All except for Minnow who tries to be like her sisters, but only manages to ask lots and lots of questions about things. Minnow did not fit in with her sisters at all, often drifting alone on her own. Then one day, she found a remarkable object in the water, a red shoe. She tried asking her sisters what it was for, but none of them knew, so Minnow headed out to answer her own questions and find out what the red object was for. Minnow swam closer and closer to shore, discovering answers to some of her other questions like why crabs don’t have fins. Then she found out exactly what shoes were for and headed home to tell the others. In the end, Minnow not only discovers the answers she is looking for, but she discovers exactly what her special talent is too.
Campbell, author of the uproarious Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, returns with a quieter book that shows the same sort of depth as the first. This book beautifully wrestles with deep questions about one’s purpose in life and how to remain true to oneself rather than give in to external pressure. Disney’s The Little Mermaid comes to mind throughout the story, but in the end this is a unique mermaid story that holds up well against the Disney version.
The illustrations are rather haunting. They pair the darkness of the deep water with a near glowing brightness of the mermaids. The mermaids have drifting white-blonde hair that moves with the currents, fish tails that look like real fish, and small seashells to cover their chests.
Beautiful, quiet and deep like the ocean, this book will find readers in Little Mermaid fans who may just have found a new favorite mermaid to adore. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
Campbell, author of the uproarious Lester’s Dreadful Sweaters, returns with a quieter book that shows the same sort of depth as the first. This book beautifully wrestles with deep questions about one’s purpose in life and how to remain true to oneself rather than give in to external pressure. Disney’s The Little Mermaid comes to mind throughout the story, but in the end this is a unique mermaid story that holds up well against the Disney version.
The illustrations are rather haunting. They pair the darkness of the deep water with a near glowing brightness of the mermaids. The mermaids have drifting white-blonde hair that moves with the currents, fish tails that look like real fish, and small seashells to cover their chests.
Beautiful, quiet and deep like the ocean, this book will find readers in Little Mermaid fans who may just have found a new favorite mermaid to adore. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
librarianryan's review
3.0
A well illustrated and unique story, but it seems to end abruptly to my adult mind. I like that Minnow, can ignore that she is not like everyone one else and if fine to be herself.
ejderwood's review
4.0
This is beautifully laid out. The story's not the strongest point, but the lay out and illustrations make up for it.
isalavinia's review
5.0
ARC provided by Kids Can Press through Netgalley
All of King Neptune's 50 daughters have a special skill: there is Clio with her gardening, Thetis and her fish training, Calypso and her singing... but what of the King's youngest daughter, Minnow?
The only thing Minnow does is ask questions and more questions. And when one day she comes upon a mysterious object she goes exploring to find answers to her questions.
This was such a delightful story!
First of all, there is Minnow - and has there ever been a more delightfully named character? - she is inquisitive and does not give up when things aren't easy, or when she is teased. She keeps searching and asking, until she finds what she wants and - more importantly - finds what she is meant to be.
But sweet as this story is, what really makes it shine are its illustrations. I simply LOVE the artwork! The style is amazing and the colour choices are brilliant. I will definitely be keeping my eye on this author's works from now on! Just look at this:
I really, really loved this book!
Also worth mentioning, how nice it is to see mermaids looking suitably horrified by feet, instead of longing to change who they are and have feet of their own...
Highly recommend this - kids are sure to love it, as are any grown-ups who chance to read it!
charleyroxy's review
5.0
A story about a little mermaid named Minnow who does not know what her talent or purpose is among her very talented family. One day she finds a shoe which gives her a purpose, to find answers. So out she goes to meet many creatures and see new wonders. A fantastic book for talking about talents and how everyone has something they are good at with your child. The illustrations are hauntingly beautiful and really make you feel like you are under the sea. Absolutely gorgeous little book.
isnotacrayon's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley for an advance download.
Minnow, unlike her sisters, has nothing special about her in particular, except that she asks a lot of questions. When she finds something and no one else knows what it is, she decides to investigate for herself to solve the mystery.
The illustrations are beautiful, and the story refreshing.
It encourages curiosity and knowledge, as well as parental support.
Minnow, unlike her sisters, has nothing special about her in particular, except that she asks a lot of questions. When she finds something and no one else knows what it is, she decides to investigate for herself to solve the mystery.
The illustrations are beautiful, and the story refreshing.
It encourages curiosity and knowledge, as well as parental support.
bubbadina's review
5.0
REVIEWED ON BOOKLIKES
The story of a little mermaid discovering what her talents and passions are, who she is and what she likes to do. What it means to be USEFUL.
When Minnow discovers a shoe that plummeted to the depths of the ocean, she does what she is good at- asks questions. But no one knows where it came from or what it is. Also, having 50 sisters is no piece of cake- at least one of them is bound to be downright nasty. But Minnow doesn't stop.
She sets out to find the answer on her own, discovering new worlds and things she didn't know before.
I liked the emphasis of the importance of exploration in this one, the one thing about Minnow that is put on a pedestal here is her love for adventure. And the fact that it's a gift she wants to use to share with other by telling them about things they've never heard of or seen (Yes, human feet are a shocking thing, indeed). That the search for something that makes you that excited is important.
The art awesome. The mermaids were eerie and glowing in the dark and murky light of the depths of the ocean. When Minnow discovers things above the surface, everything is soft and colorful pastels. Colors, shapes and tones she hasn't seen before, don't exist in the prior pictures.
Sometimes the pictures covered the full pages, sometime they were more blank pages with words and smaller framed pictures that looked like close ups, or portraits. More attention to details, a spotlight.
Beautiful art and inspiring story.
The story of a little mermaid discovering what her talents and passions are, who she is and what she likes to do. What it means to be USEFUL.
When Minnow discovers a shoe that plummeted to the depths of the ocean, she does what she is good at- asks questions. But no one knows where it came from or what it is. Also, having 50 sisters is no piece of cake- at least one of them is bound to be downright nasty. But Minnow doesn't stop.
She sets out to find the answer on her own, discovering new worlds and things she didn't know before.
I liked the emphasis of the importance of exploration in this one, the one thing about Minnow that is put on a pedestal here is her love for adventure. And the fact that it's a gift she wants to use to share with other by telling them about things they've never heard of or seen (Yes, human feet are a shocking thing, indeed). That the search for something that makes you that excited is important.
The art awesome. The mermaids were eerie and glowing in the dark and murky light of the depths of the ocean. When Minnow discovers things above the surface, everything is soft and colorful pastels. Colors, shapes and tones she hasn't seen before, don't exist in the prior pictures.
Sometimes the pictures covered the full pages, sometime they were more blank pages with words and smaller framed pictures that looked like close ups, or portraits. More attention to details, a spotlight.
Beautiful art and inspiring story.
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