Mermaid Sister [Hardcover]

Mary Ann Fraser (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Shelly is tired of her brother, Gordy. She’d much prefer a sister. So when Coral catches a wave to shore, they are instant friends, even if one of them has flippers instead of feet. They dance and play and eat peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches. It’s great having a mermaid sister!

But when Shelly and Coral get in their first fight, Shelly wonders if Coral might be happier back at sea. Life with a sister can have its ups and downs, but it’s nothing another day at the beach can’t fix.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2—What could be better than having a sister to share everything with? Having a mermaid sister! Fed up with her annoying little brother and longing for a more amenable sibling, Shelly comes up with a plan. While on a trip to the beach, she writes a note advertising for a sister, slips it into a bottle, and tosses it into the ocean. Before long a mermaid swims up and accepts the position. Coral moves in with Shelly (which presents certain problems) and their time together is full of fun (playing dress up and painting toenails/fins) and even their first fight (followed by making up). All good things must end, though, and Coral eventually returns to the sea, but she has a plan for keeping in touch. Filled with peach and turquoise hues, the acrylic paintings sing of summer by the sea. The scenes are depicted with warmth and gentle humor and the text keeps the tone light. A somewhat frivolous read, this book may tickle fans of Fancy Nancy or sisters with problematic little brothers.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Mary Ann Fraser is the author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including the I.Q. series. Her awards include an SLJ Best Book of the Year, a Book Links Book of the Year, an International Reading Association Young Reader’s Choice Award, and a Book Sense Children’s Pick. She lives in Simi Valley, California, and would love to have a mermaid visit—if only her husband and three sons didn’t mind eating tuna casserole every night. Visit her Web site at www.maryannfraser.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens; 1st edition (May 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802797466
• ISBN-13: 978-0802797469
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Ann Fraser is the author and/or illustrator of over sixty books for children in fiction and non-fiction, from preschool to middle grade. Most recently she wrote and illustrated PETSHOP LULLABY, MERMAID SISTER and I.Q. GETS FIT. Her awards include a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Book Links Book of the Year, IRA Young Readers Choice Award, and American Booksellers "Pick of the List." She writes and draws pictures in Southern California where she can garden, hike, and visit the beach twelve months of the year. You can learn more about her at www.maryannfraser.com or visit her blog at http://maryannfraser.wordpress.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very cute book!, September 4, 2008

By 

Book lady (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mermaid Sister (Hardcover)

My 5 year old daughter loves this book. It is very sweet with a nice happy ending. I would recommend this book to anyone with a girl aged 3-6 who loves mermaids!!! It is also a great book for little girls who are longing for a sister (especially those who got a brother instead!)!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor message to kids, August 27, 2011

By 

TimAbb - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mermaid Sister (Hardcover)

I made a mistake and did not read this book prior to reading it to my three year old. After page one or two I ad-libbed the entire book. The themes of I do not like my brother, I fight and pull the hair of my friends-with pictures of this, and my friends are pains too is not a good message to kids. This book is in the recycle bin after 24 hours in my house.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bedtime Reading For A Child With A Little Brother, September 27, 2010

By 

J. Delzer (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mermaid Sister (Hardcover)

As a little brother, who I'm sure was probably viewed as a bit of a nuisance to my older siblings, I probably am not the best person to give advice like this. Yet, after reading this book, I expect a few older sisters might understand what it is like to be a part of a family where people have to learn to accept their siblings - their differences, their mannerisms, and the like.

That said, Fraser's picture book about a young girl who 'hires' a mermaid to be her sister is very charming and cute. Shelly is fed up with her little brother Gordy, and decides to toss a bottle into the ocean, hoping to find someone who will be her 'sister' - apply onshore, the ad read. Well, the applicant turns out to be Coral, a mermaid with a little brother of her own.

Both girls, despite their differences, have fun together sharing peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches and painting each other's toenails (or fins.) But Shelly learns that she can be upset with people close to her and still be friends, something that although isn't presented in the text remains a very true and real aspect of life.

This story is perfect for a young girl who found out about a new addition to their family, or even just any girl who loves to dream about new friends.

Mr. Delzer is the author of The Buccaneer of Nemaris The Buccaneer of Nemaris