More Black inventor mermaids, please.
Meet Oona, the newest little mermaid, in 'Oona' (subtitled 'The Brave Little Mermaid' on my copy). The picture book for slightly older readers has great representation, and is a great fairy tale. There's treasure hunting, exploring the deepest depths of the ocean (and there really are no limits to what can be discovered under the vast sea), shells, trinkets, gadgets, otters, turtles, crabs, whales, sharks, sea lions, narwhals, and all kinds of other sea creatures. Singing is in there, as well as exploring and inventing.
There's the 'Believe in yourself, be persistent and never give up' theme and message, which is always appreciated, especially in a children's text. Another message is 'Look at a problem from different angles, and you will get there'. Look for and understand the intricacies of things. And being spontaneous can help sometimes!
The art is incredibly soft, cute and sweet, though it can get too blurry, blotchy and indistinct, especially in the scenes set in the dark depths of the sea, and when there's a whirlpool going on.
And in a couple of pages near the end, Oona is suddenly on land, on a beach, and has human child friends. Then they are never seen or mentioned again. What is that about?
Regardless, the overall, coral experience is a treat. It is one of the better mermaid picture books - and books, period - I have read. Read also 'The Girl and the Mermaid'.
Keep swimming. Keep swimming for the little Black mermaid with the giant afro with seaweed in it!
Final Score: 3.5/5
Meet Oona, the newest little mermaid, in 'Oona' (subtitled 'The Brave Little Mermaid' on my copy). The picture book for slightly older readers has great representation, and is a great fairy tale. There's treasure hunting, exploring the deepest depths of the ocean (and there really are no limits to what can be discovered under the vast sea), shells, trinkets, gadgets, otters, turtles, crabs, whales, sharks, sea lions, narwhals, and all kinds of other sea creatures. Singing is in there, as well as exploring and inventing.
There's the 'Believe in yourself, be persistent and never give up' theme and message, which is always appreciated, especially in a children's text. Another message is 'Look at a problem from different angles, and you will get there'. Look for and understand the intricacies of things. And being spontaneous can help sometimes!
The art is incredibly soft, cute and sweet, though it can get too blurry, blotchy and indistinct, especially in the scenes set in the dark depths of the sea, and when there's a whirlpool going on.
And in a couple of pages near the end, Oona is suddenly on land, on a beach, and has human child friends. Then they are never seen or mentioned again. What is that about?
Regardless, the overall, coral experience is a treat. It is one of the better mermaid picture books - and books, period - I have read. Read also 'The Girl and the Mermaid'.
Keep swimming. Keep swimming for the little Black mermaid with the giant afro with seaweed in it!
Final Score: 3.5/5
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