The Mermaid

Prolific author/artist Jan Brett, known for such popular picture-book folktale retellings as The Mitten, here takes the classic story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and transplants it from the forest to the ocean, giving it a Japanese cultural background. When the Octopus family wanders off for a swim, a little mermaid named Kiniro, accompanied by her puffer-fish friend Puffy, explores their seashell house. She tries their breakfasts, their chairs, and their beds, eventually falling asleep on Baby Octopus' shell-hammock. When she is discovered by the indignant Octopus family, her gift of a tiara to the baby of the family goes some way to setting things right...

Apparently inspired by Brett's visits to Okinawa, and to the New England show more Aquarium, where she met the resident giant Pacific octopus Sy, The Mermaid is a fairly engaging fairy-tale transplant. I don't know that I was that wowed by the narrative - although not opposed to the idea of taking classic folk and fairy-tales and giving them new cultural settings, somehow this particular revision/retelling didn't feel that compelling to me - I did enjoy the artwork. As an octopode lover, I also appreciated the inclusion of the Octopus family. Brett's illustrations are colorful, with her trademark decorative borders providing snapshots of other scenes, while the main action is occurring. Recommended to Brett fans, who will undoubtedly enjoy the visuals, as well as to young mermaid lovers. show less

oes Jan Brett ever write a bad book? Probably not. This is a retelling of the three little bears, but underwater with mermaids and octopi. There is nothing new about the book or the story. The change of setting is nice, but the most important thing for a jan Brett book, is the Jan Brett illustrations. And they are in full force. A love ready for the ears and the eyes.

So, this is the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears except with three squid/octopuses and a mermaid. This is a very stylized Jan Brett retelling, but there are really no surprises and not enough new here to justify a complete book. 2 stars for the story, 4 stars for the art.

Just another excuse for a sweet and beautiful book by Brett. Not sure that she's mastered the idea of how the effects of gravity would change undersea... bowls? Chairs? Also not sure if she's respectful of Japanese culture and decor. I don't know, but I do know I'd do a lot of research before tackling either of those aspects of the setting. At the very least I'd do some diving myself with a bowl, and try to sit down underwater... I know my body snickers at me when I pretend to sit down in a pool....

Reread: Likely good for children to exercise their abilities to compare and contrast with the original Goldilocks tale. I am just thankful that the girl did one good thing, rescuing Ray.

Jan Brett writes a beautiful story but the true star of the show are her gorgeous illustrations. I love how the stunning art in the central picture is augmented by the secondary story being told in the images in the side bar. She is a tee master of her craft.