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Hello everyone!
Like many little girls, I wanted to be a mermaid when I was six. What I didn’t know was that professional mermaid was a career choice. Last year, I learned about a woman named Mermaid Linden who makes her living as a professional mermaid. She attends events and has a YouTube channel where she posts her Mermaid Minute videos; each video gives facts about the ocean in one minute.
I have recently been on a mermaid kick (or maybe I never outgrew my desire to be a mermaid). Either way, below are some picture books and chapter books about mermaids that I really enjoyed, and I hope your young mermaid fans will, too. After reading some mermaid tales, dive deeper under the sea with the mermaid crafts and sensory items, actualize dreams of being a real mermaid by creating DIY mermaid costumes, and then finish off the fun with a mermaid snack. You’ll find everything you need for a complete mermaid experience at the end of the post.
Picture Books
Ten Minutes to Bed: Little Mermaid by Rhiannon Fielding is about a little mermaid who would rather play and explore than go to bed.
How to Meet a Mermaid by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Simona Sanfilippo gives directions for what to do if you want to meet a mermaid…and states what will happen when you do.
Pearl by Molly Idle is about a young mermaid who wants to have a special job like all the other mermaids and how her seemingly insignificant job is more important than she knows.
How to Catch a Mermaid by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Andy Elkerton is a cute story about two kids who try to catch a Mermaid so that she will be there friend.
The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell is about a mermaid who sets out to learn the purpose of a shoe and consequently discovers her own purpose. The book’s message is great for all young people who are still searching for their place in the world.
Mermaid and Me by Soosh is a beautiful story about friendship and keeping the oceans clean.
The Mermaid by Jan Brett is a mermaid retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Mermaid School by Joanne Stewart Wetzel, illustrated by Julianna Swaney is an underwater first day of school story.
Mariana and the Merchild by Caroline Pitcher, illustrated by Jackie Morris is about a lonely woman who finds belonging and acceptance in her community through fostering a mermaid.
Sukey and the Mermaid by Robert D. San Souci, illustrated by Brian Pinkney is about a girl who’s stepfather makes her work all day and the mermaid who befriends her and offers her an escape.
Elementary-Age Readers
Mermaid Tales Series by Debbie Dadey is about different mermaids who attend the same school.
- Trouble at Trident Academy
- Battle of the Best Friends
- A Whale of a Tale
- Danger in the Deep Blue Sea
- The Lost Princess
- The Secret Sea Horse
- Dream of the Blue Turtle
- Treasure in Trident City
- A Royal Tea
- A Tale of Two Sisters
- The Polar Bear Express
- Wish upon a Starfish
- The Crook and the Crown
- Twist and Shout
- Books vs. Looks
- Flower Girl Dreams
- Ready, Set, Goal!
- Fairy Chase
- The Narwhal Problem
- The Winter Princess
- Sleepover at the Haunted Museum
The Little Mermaid: An Interactive Fairy Tale Adventure by Eric Mark Braun, illustrated by Mariano Epelbaum is an interactive book that offers three modern twists on the classic fairy tale for readers to explore.
Mermaid Myths (Myths Across the Map) by Cynthia O’Brien is a nonfiction book that gives readers an overview of mermaid myths from around the world.
Activities
For my sixth birthday, my mother threw me a mermaid party. We hung green streamers for seaweed, made paper fins, and created a life-size mermaid puzzle.
Whether you want to throw a mermaid-themed party or just have some under-the-sea fun, below are some mermaid crafts and snacks for your mermaid lovers.
Make Your Own Life-Size Mermaid Puzzle:
- Trace the outline of a child onto butcher paper. Be sure to trace their legs together and add fins.
- Color the mermaid/merman.
- Cut the mermaid/merman drawing into smaller pieces.
- Glue the pieces onto cardboard.
- Cut out the cardboard pieces.
- Assemble the puzzle.
Other Ways to Make Your Own Mermaid:
– Curl Animation Mermaid Craft
– Toilet Paper Tube Mermaid Doll
DIY Mermaid Costume:
Mermaid Sensory Seekers:
– Mermaid Sensory Writing Tray
– Mermaid Tail Glitter Sensory Bottle
Mermaid Snacks:
Happy reading and crafting to all the merfolk out there!
Katie
P.S.
For more themed book recommendations and activities, visit my post library.
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