Mermaid Sister

by Mary Ann Fraser, Mary Ann Fraser (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802797469
Publisher:	Walker & Company
Publication date:	05/27/2008
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.74(w) x 11.12(h) x 0.37(d)
Lexile:	490L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

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.

Editorial Reviews

K-Gr 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

School Library Journal

Shelly's little brother Gordy is "a pain in the patootie." She's always wished she had a sister instead, so she puts a message in a bottle and sends it out to sea. Coral, a mermaid, answers Shelly's request. Mom and Dad agree to let Coral come stay, and the girls dance together, watch TV, play dress-up and paint their nails. However, having a sister is not without problems: Coral leaves scales on Shelly's favorite shirt and sometimes plays with Gordy. Yuck! To make up after a fight, Shelly takes Coral to the beach where the mergirl learns that her own brother Sandy misses her. Coral goes home but returns with a solution to the Gordy problem: Sandy. Fraser offers a sweet sea-sister tale; her bright, energetic watercolors feature expressive characters and silly eye-catching oceanic details. Any young miss with a wish for a sis would be happy with this fish. A fine addition to storytimes on siblings or the sea. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews