The Book of Mermaids [Paperback]

Patricia Saxton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2003

Travel on a mystical journey under the sea into the everyday life of these timeless, enchanting creatures with this lavishly illustrated guide to Mermaid magic, art, culture, and fashion. An alluring twist on beloved folklore, The Book of Mermaids is sumptuously detailed and will stir the imagination, inspire creativity and capture our hearts and minds.

For the child exploring the pleasures of magical worlds and the adult who never forgot, this book is a visual delight. Includes activity pages, inviting children to do their own creating!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The quintessential encyclopedia of Mermaidology". Where they swim, how they play, what's hot and what's not in the captivating world of mermaid culture are just a few of the topics skillfully explored in The Book of Mermaids. It is the perfect choice for every true believer and mermaid lover. -- "True Believer" - Summit, NJ

A trip to the shore calls for The Book of Mermaids. Author/illustrator Patricia Saxton draws from many cultures and her own imagination to create a fanciful picture book on merfolk arts, language and family life. These sea creatures (half fish, half human) were revered in ancient times as powerful gods and continue to surface in popular culture. Youngsters will have a great time learning about mermaids' mystical tools (pearls and blue stones), weaving their own mermaid tales and poring over Saxton's shimmering mixed-media illustrations, which further heighten the magical quality of these legendary beings. -- Mary Quattlebaum for Washington Parent

For any girl who knows in her heart that mermaids simply and surely must exist, The Book of Mermaids is a must have. Not only does it confirm everything she always knew to be true, it gives a fantastic view, rippling with romance and realism, into the underwater world that seems only a tail-flick away. From merlore and history to details about merfamilies, merfashions and merfestivals, this book is a celebration of fantasy worthy of a reading during Jewel Time festivities. Beautiful, murky water-colored illustrations give a glimpse into a world we all wish to be real. -- Tracy Games McCafferty Library, American International School, Vienna, Austria

This book is an imaginative, delicious plunge into the cherished myth and magic of mermaids. Saxton's art sparks the imagination: her underwater world of fashion, culture and fun comes alive with color and depth. I love this book! It's the perfect gift for those who want to explore the myth of mermaids and believe in the possibilities. -- "Mer-fan" - Lake Sunapee, NH --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Patricia Saxton is an award-winning fine artist and graphic designer. She is the owner of Saxton Illustration & Design Studio in Summit, New Jersey. Images of Ms. Saxton’s work can be viewed at www.saxtongallery.com. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 34 pages
• Publisher: Imprint Books (October 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591099943
• ISBN-13: 978-1591099949
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,771,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Somewhere around the age of three, Patricia Saxton picked up a pencil and never quite put it down. Today, her works in oil, pencil, and pen & ink hang in corporate and private collections across the country, her creative talents form the core of Saxton Illustration & Design, a well-established graphic design, illustration and copywriting firm, and she is the author/illustrator of two children's books, "The Book of Mermaids", and "A Book of Fairies", and the inspiring design series "52 Weeks of Peace".

Saxton's professional affiliations include the Society of Illustrators, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Children's Book Council, and the NJ Center for Visual Arts. She holds a BA in English and History from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, and completed post-graduate work at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

You can visit her author/illustrator site at www.patriciasaxton.com, her design/illustration/fine art studio at www.saxtonstudio.com, and her blog at www.saxtonstudio.wordpress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice, August 9, 2006

By 

Peekablue (Missouri, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Book of Mermaids (Hardcover)

This book is primarily for children. I am not a child but have always been interested in mermaids. I found this book to be cute and interesting. It covers mermaids in different cultures from around the world and mermaid culture itself. There are sections on family life, children, community, language, art, fashion, holidays, and magic. There are beautiful color illustrations on every page. This is a book I know I would have loved as a child.
Other books on mermaids:
For Children: The Secret World of Mermaids (Secret World, The) by Francine Rose, Mermaids Most Amazing by Narelle Oliver
For Adults: Magickal Mermaids And Water Creatures: Invoke The Magick Of The Waters by D.J. Conway, Mermaids (Magical Beings) by Elizabeth Ratisseau

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What a fun book!, November 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Book of Mermaids (Paperback)

Such a wonderful book. The illustrations are lovely!!!! I bought this for my daughter and she's thrilled with the time we spend together reading it. It's a pleasure to discover a book that helps us both discover the magic of underwater worlds and mystery. I recommend this book highly!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have ..., April 28, 2006

By 

Tracy Games McCafferty (Library, American International School, Vienna, Austria) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Book of Mermaids (Hardcover)

For any girl who knows in her heart that mermaids simply and surely must exist, The Book of Mermaids is a must have. Not only does it confirm everything she always knew to be true, it gives a fantastic view, rippling with romance and realism, into the underwater world that seems only a tail-flick away. From merlore and history to details about merfamilies, merfashions and merfestivals, this book is a celebration of fantasy worthy of a reading during Jewel Time festivities. Beautiful, murky water-colored illustrations give a glimpse into a world we all wish to be real.