The Mermaid of Cafur (Barefoot Books) (Hardcover)

~ Evelyn Foster (Author), Olwyn Whelan (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A seductive but evil mermaid "with skin as white as a gull's wing and a voice like the song of the harp" does battle with "brave, loyal and true" Meaghan in this leisurely told fantasy. When the sea kingdom of Cafur is raised from the waters each year, the mermaid queen Arianne steals children to serve her in her castle, including Meaghan's brother Ewan. Meaghan and her dog Merlin brave dreadful sea dogs and a green dragon to seek the help of a fearsome sea witch. Meaghan even agrees to give up her cherished Merlin in return for an iron knife, with which she vanquishes Arianne and saves all the stolen children. Whelan (The Barefoot Book of Princesses) uses lavish patterns and gold as well as aqueous colors to create an atmosphere of enchantment. Reminiscent of Victorian marionettes, her characters have round, rouged cheeks and are costumed a bit like circus performers, in striped tights and checkered pants. The narrow, decorated border serves as a stage proscenium, and starfish-patterned curtains open to reveal, for example, the sea witch in a gown of fish-scales, "[her] hair as tangled as seaweed." First-timer Foster's plot weaves conventional motifs and figures from Celtic fairy tales?the Brigadoon-like rise of the sea-kingdom; the devotion of a sister for her brother?into a satisfying, albeit somewhat derivative and complicated, story. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-5-The language and illustrations in this original story lend it the air of a traditional tale. Beautiful but cruel, the mermaid queen of Cafur steals children and keeps them with her beneath the waves. When she tricks young Ewan into her underwater kingdom, his sister Meaghan and their dog seek the aid of the sea witch. On her way there, Meaghan's bravery and common sense allow her to pass a series of tests, much like those in Hans Christian Andersen's "The Tinderbox," and the sea witch agrees to help, giving the girl an iron knife that will render the mermaid powerless. Meaghan enters Cafur, saves Ewan and the other children, and turns the queen into a sea bass. In a nice alternative to a pat "off into the sunset" ending, the siblings go back to the sea witch to thank her and return her knife. The ink-and-watercolor illustrations are rendered in jewel tones in a style reminiscent of the work of Isabelle Brent or Jane Ray, but with a slightly lighter and folksier look. Detailed borders surround each double-page spread, and the text is set off from the illustrations in bordered, arched boxes. Fans of Marilyn Singer's In the Palace of the Ocean King (Atheneum, 1995) and Robert San Souci's Nicholas Pipe (Dial, 1997) or those who want a confident heroine will enjoy either listening to or reading this one.
Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Barefoot Books (April 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1902283406
• ISBN-13: 978-1902283401
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,079,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a beautifully illustrated tale, November 16, 2004

By	Lila Hope "lilaetc" (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My 3.5 year old found this book in a bookstore and was so fascinated with the beautiful illustrations that we had to read the entire book there and then. After we brought it home it would become a must read each night for weeks to come. The story has just the right amount of suspense to keep young children engaged, but not too much as to overwhelm them. It was a great book to show children aspects of virtue and vice. My 3.5 year old is picking up from it the goodness of bravery and loyalty. My almost 5 year old also concluded that "if you don't use your power to do good things, you will lose it." It is a rare find as a combination of beautiful illustrations, captivating story, and important lessons to learn from. The text is long and it takes more than 10 minutes to go through the entire book, even longer with explanations. But the children are engaged and will sit through multiple iterations at a time. Some words are not part of ordinary vocabulary for young children but they can be easily explained. This book could easily become a favorite for older children as well.