The Merbaby

The ultimate mermaid book for all of today’s young mermaid fans Beautifully written and illustrated

I'd been debating whether to get this book for a long time and I couldn't be happier that I finally did. Bateman's powerful story about a young fisherman faced with a merbaby and a crucial decision is magnified by Brewster's striking and vibrant illustrations. When a young man catches a merbaby, he must choose between the fame and fortune she could win him and his brother or the precious innocence that would be lost if he kept her. His decision is made more difficult by the fact that the local merpeople-including the merbaby's own mother-are far from friendly. If he chooses to return her to the sea, he could risk his own life in the process. The story here is well told as well as suspenseful and ultimately touching. Brewster's illustrations are top-notch; along with the gorgeous sea-coloring in the pictures, the merpeople are gorgeous and exotic, though with a hostility that gives them a chilling edge. The picture of the siren on the rock combing her hair with a fish skeleton instead of a jeweled comb is wonderfully symbolic. Like another person said, it's truly a shame that some of Brewster's books are out of print as she is one of the best painters out there. I highly recommend this sea-gem to all ages!

a cute story of discovery and innocence. The illustrations are a "virtual undersea adventure"

I think I would give this wonderful picture book five stars even if the text was tripe because the illustrations are so lovely but fortunately the text is equally good. Two fisherman brothers, one an idealistic dreamer and the other a materialistic schemer accidentally pull up a baby mermaid in their nets along with their catch of fish. Both brothers see dollar signs, one hoping for riches and fame, the other wishing for a carefree life of exploration and discovery. They decide to sell her as a curiosity and make their fortune. The dreamy brother falls in love with the adorable merbaby and his conscience won't let him sell her into a miserable life on land. In the end kindness is rewarded. The story also reveals an age old enmity between the sea folk and the land folk because of the way land folk plunder and abuse the gifts of the sea. It has a good message about ecology and respect for other beings rather than dominance and destruction. The large double spread illustrations have an atmospheric sea-green wash and are as sure to enchant as a mermaid's voice.