Jan Brett’s The Mermaid Takes Goldilocks Under the Sea

The Mermaid was inspired by Brett’s travels to Japan: “A baby octopus waved its little arms at me when I glimpsed it on some coral while in the ocean off the island of Okinawa when I was visiting my daughter and her husband. It wasn’t until I returned home and was musing over what creatures would take the place of the three bears in my under-the-sea Goldilocks story that it dawned on me that octopuses, intelligent and mischievous, would be just right.
“Alice went down a rabbit hole to find another world. For me, I stepped off the beach in Okinawa.”
And readers can join Brett in her under-the-sea wonderland in her latest read as they follow Kiniro (kin-iro means “gold” in Japanese) and her fish pal, Puffy, inside the octopuses’ beautiful seashell house. The three octopuses—mother, father, and baby—are out for a pre-breakfast swim when Kiniro comes upon their adorable abode. Puffy tries to warn the little mermaid that perhaps they ought not intrude, but Kiniro is just so curious about what—or whom—could be inside.
Inside the home, the black-haired mermaid with golden scales samples each of the three octopuses’ breakfasts before finding the one that’s “just right.” She moves along to trying out each of their three chairs—she breaks the prettiest little chair of all, the “just right” one—and then their three beds. And as everyone familiar with the traditional story knows: The rightful owners of the home are bound to return sooner or later. And they’re likely to be none too happy to find their food eaten, furniture broken, and a stranger sleeping in one of their beds. Thankfully, Kiniro has her fish friend by her side to help her out when she most needs it. And she doesn’t leave our octopus family empty handed, gifting the littlest one a sweet present and even making an unexpected new friend in the process.
The wonderfully detailed and colorful artwork really brings the young mermaid, the octopus family, and all of the ocean creatures to life. Both fans of Brett’s and those new to her work will be astounded at just how much there is to see in each underwater spread, filled to the margins with details of sea life—delicate shells, vibrant coral, lively fish, and more.
Brett’s book is a feast for the eyes and a charming read for little ears who will love hearing this twist on a familiar tale. The Mermaid is available now.
What do you think of Jan Brett’s latest picture book, The Mermaid?