How to spot a mermaid

"First, you need to be near a body of water. An ocean, if you are lucky." The lyrical narration goes on to describe what someone needs to do to see a mermaid, from packing a snack to share (Goldfish crackers, of course) to sitting very still on a rock. In the concluding pages, mermaid and child share a tender moment of connection. The soothing blue, brown, and green mixed-media illustrations reflect the gentleness of the text. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Finding these underwater creatures requires patience and a bit of luck. An unseen narrator notes that mermaids might dwell in an ocean, a lake, a river, a stream, a reservoir, or even a puddle. As a child gathers binoculars and a field guide, the text warns, "Mermaids are quite shy, / and they don't / make friends easily." The narrator keeps up a tongue-in-cheek tone, advising the light-skinned, dark-haired child to "pack a package of Goldfish crackers" to share with the mermaid. Brisk directions such as where to sit alternate with more subtle, speculative musings. If you see a water ripple, it might be a wave, a fish, insects, "or a shark. / Or a whale. // But itcould be a mermaid." While Yolen drolly avoids overpromising, she does ponder the prospect of friendship with a mermaid, who may "sit beside you on the rock" and "speak to you, finger to finger, / the way mermaids talk / beneath the sea. / Or…simply / dive back under the water / with a splash of her tail." After all, "Friendship is a long promise. / It starts with a glance and grows." Even if this creature's not ready for that, "you will still have seen a mermaid. // Andshe will have seen you." Deng's lovely pictures depict diverse mermaids in flowing, sea-green swaths, swimming, diving, and even waving to a potential (human) friend. A sweet addition to mermaid lore.(Picture book. 5-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.