Back of Book:
When Kiniro, a young mermaid, comes upon a gorgeous house made of seashells and coral, she is so curious that she goes inside. She’s thrilled to find a just-right breakfast, pretty little chair, and, best of all, a comfy bed that rocks in the current.
But when the Octopus family returns home, they are not happy to find that someone has been eating their food and breaking their things. Baby has the biggest shock when she finds the mermaid asleep in her bed! Luckily, shock turns to happiness when Kiniro gives her a thoughtful gift before escaping from the twenty-four arms coming her way.
Vibrant, intricate scenes of an underwater paradise transport this classic fairy tale to a magical setting inspired by the seas off the coast of Okinawa, Japan. Along with fun details that enrich the storytelling in Jan Brett’s trademark borders, this visual treat will enchant readers of all ages.
My Review:
I am such a huge fan of Jan Brett and fractured fairytales. This book is a beautiful combination of both. The story follows the filmier tale of Goldilocks and the three bears. Kiniro is a young mermaid with a curious mind. She enters the home of an octopus family and makes herself at home. She tries all the shells, chairs, and finally the beds. When the family returns they find Kiniro fast asleep in their bed. The difference in this book, is that Kiniro feels guilty that she broke the little octopus’s chair. In the end, she makes amends and brings the baby octopus a gift. As always, Jan Brett’s illustrations are beautiful and so engaging. Her detail to the underwater story is what makes it so engaging. In the back of the story, Jan shares that her inspiration for this book came from a visit to Okinawa. I love viewing each small picture within the page. Jan has done it again and created a masterpiece.
Ages 5 and up
32 Pages
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