GOODNIGHT MERMAID

A glimpse under the sea at mermaid life and lore.

While the rhyming text does ultimately conclude with the mermaids all going to sleep, this picture book functions less as a goodnight book and more as a survey of mermaid life. Crisp-edged, unremarkable illustrations depict many mermaids (not just one as the title suggests, and also selkies and nymphs) with varied skin, hair, and fin colors cavorting underwater. “Her Majesty the Merqueen reign[s] over the deep,” and once she is introduced, the text shifts to say goodnight to all of the mermaids and their sea-life companions, concluding with the line “Goodnight blue wonder that gives life to our world.” This closing spread of the narrative shows an illustration of the Earth with its blue oceans from outer space, a smiling pearl of a moon to its left in the starry, black sky. Following this are backmatter pages, which are the highlight of the book. Under the heading “Mermaidology: Magical Facts Mermaid Lovers Love To Know” appear bits of information about these fantastic creatures. The last “fact” reads, “Mermaids take care of our miraculous oceans, but they need our help.” A concluding page delivers “The Mermaid’s Pledge,” which readers are invited to take themselves, “both hands over merheart.”

Sure to be a hit with mermaid fans.