YOUNG ADULTING

Review by Alison Wong
Tundra Books, Penguin Random House, June 8th, 2023
32 pages. Hardcover. CAN $23.99. ISBN: 9780735271371
3-7 years old (Preschool-Grade 2)
Picture Book, Fiction, Adventure

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“I am a meadow mermaid. I see the sea in the sky, starfish in the stars, a whale’s tail in a slip
of the moon.”

With a beautiful and poetic narrative arc told by a meadow mermaid, this awe-inspiring tale
sends a message to young readers that anything is possible so long as you believe.
Written by Kallie George, I Am A Meadow Mermaid explores the power of imagination,
friendship, and adventure. The story follows a small-town girl who dreams of being a
mermaid and loves everything about the ocean. There’s just one problem: she’s a human who
lives in a field that is nowhere near the sea. Instead of letting this stop her, she goes on a
journey of the heart and soul proving that reality is what you make of it.

Elly MacKay’s alluring illustrations coupled with Kallie George’s engaging texts are truly the
perfect blend of elegance and refinement. Using thin strokes of watercolor and an impressive
palette, MacKay brings the imaginary visions of the protagonist to life. These visually
aesthetic pictures are paired with an intricately woven narrative that both introduces children
to rich and varied language and shows the unique voice and view of the character. Each scene
encapsulates the essence of mermaids and oceans, giving readers a glimpse into the young
girl’s imagination and opening our minds up to a world of possibility. The metaphorical
language and vivid drawings guide readers to observe the similarity between our world and
the sea, closing the gap between reality and fantasy.

In a way, I Am A Meadow Mermaid is analogous to the popular Disney animated story “The
Little Mermaid.” But instead of finding a prince and becoming human with the help of an evil
sea witch, the protagonist of this story finds something far more rewarding. Forging her own
path as she goes, meeting and helping others, she discovers the inner peace of being herself in
the form of a meadow mermaid. This beautiful moral not only makes this book educational
for children but also for parents by showing them the importance of imaginative play.

When reading the story aloud together, children can especially benefit from George’s use of
the first-person perspective. This particular choice enables children to go on the same
adventure as the little girl when reading along, allowing them to feel everything she does.
This, in turn, gives the moral of the story even more impact.

Full of love, imagination, and educational value, this book certainly proves itself to be a
perfect read for children this summer.

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Alison Wong is a UBC student from Hong Kong studying English literature. In her free time,
she likes to read young adult books, re-watch her favorite sitcoms or discover new K-dramas.