This year mermaids have been big! We've had mermaid hair, mermaid crowns, mermaid tails (even the knitted mermaid tail blankets!) Not to mention the extraordinary flood of mermaid inspired young readers, middle grade and teen book there are out there. Myths and folktales about mermaids have been part of storytelling for centuries and with no two stories the same it is clear to see how varied and unique these creatures are.
Get ready to dive into the most popular and bestselling children mermaid books out there with a few of my favourites:
The Mermaid Atlas: Merfolk of the World by Anna Claybourne
Illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora
From the beautiful Selkies of the Scottish seas, to the mighty river Syrenka protecting to the city of Warsaw and the fearful Ningyo of Japan, The Mermaid Atlas is swimming with mythology, magic and mystery. Absolutely enchanting, a must for all mermaid fans.
Board Books
Picture Books
Young Readers
Bad Mermaids by Sibeal Pounder
Illustrated by Jason Cockcroft
From the author of the brilliantly funny Witch Wars comes a fantastically enchanting new series to dive straight into! Set in an whimsical underwater shell-studded metropolis with a snappier than average transport system, Bad Mermaids features a whole array of magical mysteries, fabulous fashion and some very feisty mermaids. Sibeal Pounder brings a whole new twist to the underwater world of mermaids making this an absolute must read. Prepare to laugh your tail off!
Middle Grade
Teen/YA
The Secret Deep by Lindsay Galvin
The Secret Deep is an intelligent, compelling page-turner and I can wholeheartedly say that I’ve never read a book quite like this. Galvin effortlessly weaves together science and magic to create a truly original and bold thriller. For a debut novel Galvin’s language was enchanting. I was completely absorbed by her vivid and evoking descriptions of the ocean and it’s marine life. The ocean became a place that was both inviting but unsettling.
Galvin confidently tackles a lot of timely issues, including medical research, evolution, diversity, anxiety and consent and brings them together to make a surprising and magical end. I cannot wait to see what else Lindsay Galvin has up her sleeve.