Mermaids, with bodies that are half human, half fish, have mesmerized and captivated people since the 1800s. Their origins are linked to exhausted sailors from that time who mistook manatees for more beautiful, human-like creatures. Through the years, they evolved into mythical creatures with magical powers and enchanting voices. They have appeared in folklore, movies, and children's mermaid books as long, slender women who are both elusive and mysterious. Readers are introduced to a wide variety of beautiful, sea beings who are brought to life through stories.
This beautifully illustrated best-selling book takes young readers on an undersea adventure. A magical mermaid who has a knack for avoiding clever traps glides through the water with grace and speed. Readers will love pouring over the pictures of all the sea creatures they pass on this thrilling underwater chase.
Popular Mermaid Picture Books
A child's imagination knows no boundaries. Reading is wonderful way to go on a deep sea adventure from the comfort of your home. These beautiful mermaid stories encapsulate the mysterious nature and magical spirit of half-human ocean dwellers who reflect all the colors of the rainbow. Alluring creatures who make rare appearances only to disappear into the depths of the blue sea capture the interest of little ones. This collection of popular mermaid books allows children to study beautiful beings, learn some incredible facts about how they live, and all their magical mystery.
Best Mermaid Stories for Preschoolers and Up
Pair some of these mermaid stories for preschool children with a lovely plush doll, necklace, or trinket box for a darling birthday gift or just to surprise someone special. When a child can escape from the real world for short time, the benefits are tremendous. Kids experience a reduction in stress, at least temporarily, not to mention a boost in fostering creativity. As parents and caretakers of little ones, we can encourage imaginary play by reading about fantasy. Imagination is a wonderful attribute that should be nurtured in children by reading about other magical creatures like unicorns, fairies, princesses, and more.
Mermaid School
An ideal first-day-of-school book for children entering preschool and kindergarten. In simple rhyming language, the story is about little boy and girl mermaids who experience jitters about their very first day in the underwater classroom. They quickly make new friends, learn to count clamshells, recite the A, B, Seas, and even read stories about children who live on land.
If I Had a Mermaid
It's every little girl's wish come true! A best friend who happens to be a mermaid, always ready to whisk her away on adventures in the deep blue sea. A rhythmic story geared toward preschool children brought to life with vibrantly dynamic illustrations that make readers wish they could dive right into the fun.
The Mermaid
A best-selling mermaid picture book by Jan Brett that is a unique spin on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In this spectacularly illustrated story, a mermaid is delighted to discover a home made of coral and seashells. Curiously, she enters this darling house to discover a comfortable chair, a delicious breakfast, and the most comfortable bed that rocks with the current. Find out what happens when the residents, a family of octopuses, returns home! A mesmerizing picture book that is pure art.
Peppa's Mermaid Adventure
Peppa Pig and her friend, Rebecca Rabbit, decide that they want to be mermaids. Their imaginations run wild when they invite all of their friends over for an under-the-sea party. Can their big party become a reality with the help of their parents? A glittery mermaid book that Peppa Pig fans will enjoy reading over and over again!
Pinkalicious and Aqua the Mini-Mermaid
An enjoyable story about the adventure Pinkalicious and Peter share with a tiny mermaid called Aqua. Together they explore a hidden cove and discover beautiful sea glass. Their perfect day is temporarily ruined by the presence of fins protruding from the water. Fortunately, it turns out they belong to dolphins, not sharks! The very last page is full of colorful stickers for added fun.
Night Night, Sleep Tight Little Mermaid
A mermaid bedtime story filled with lots of touch-and-feel elements. This short and sweet rhyming tale is perfect for baby shower gifts. Pair it with an adorable mermaid plush toy to add a soft touch.
The Little Mermaid
The classic mermaid story has been brought back to life with new, digitally enhanced illustrations. The original, unabridged fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen is fascinating to read, especially with older children who appreciate this masterpiece. A beautiful gift not only for children, but also for adults who collect timeless picture books.
Tallulah, Mermaid of the Great Lakes
One of the most unique mermaid picture books with an invaluable message for children. Tallulah is a little mermaid who is feeling rather blue about her dull tail. All the other mermaids have tails that shimmer and shine, which makes her despondent about her own appearance. Following the sage advice of a turtle, Tallulah sets out for the Great Lakes in search of a gemstone that will add color to her life. Despite all the naysayers telling her that mermaids don't belong in lakes, Tallulah finally finds a place to call home.
Three Little Mermaids
Join three adorable mermaids and their friends for a delightful tea party under the sea! Little readers will love this interactive book, with lots of tabs, slides, and tactile features. The pictures are engaging and the text is just right for preschoolers.
Mermaid and Me
An imaginative mermaid picture book about the special friendship between a human girl and a mermaid. They meet in a place between their two worlds and share fun adventures together. Then one day, a terrible storm threatens to tear them apart. Will the two find a way to reunite again? A whimsical story that will delight little readers.
The Tail of Emily Windsnap
One of the highest-selling mermaid chapter book series for young readers. This first book opens the door to an enchanting undersea world. Readers are given a glimpse at a world ruled by Neptune, where students study shipwrecks, and family secrets threaten to resurface. All the elements of a fast-paced, entertaining book for middle-grade readers are included- friendship, mystery, love, and betrayal.
Once Upon a Tide: A Mermaid's Tale
An exciting chapter book about a mermaid who swaps her tail for a pair of legs. Princess Lana was selected to represent her underwater kingdom at a land festival. There she reunites with her mother, who chose a life on land many years ago. Lana is met with lots of challenges as she negotiates her relationship with her mother and the politics of the other dignitaries attending the festival. A more sophisticated read for older children who like a good fantasy.
Ten Little Mermaids
A charming, oversized book for toddlers learning how to count. The book starts with ten mermaids, and with each turn of the page, a mermaid disappears until there are none. Little readers will have fun practicing their fine motor skills by removing each of the mermaids and then placing them back in their correct positions.
Mermaid Coloring Book
Thirty pages of designs just waiting to be brought to life with color. Coloring with a child is a wonderful way to spend quality time together. So grab a pack of crayons or colored pencils and get ready to create some lovely artwork.
Julian is a Mermaid
An award-winning book about a little boy's passion for creativity. Julián is mesmerized by three women dressed as mermaids riding the subway. He can't get the images of their brilliant hair and gorgeous fishtails out of his mind. Using materials he finds around his home, he pulls together a mermaid costume of his own. His initial exuberance is met with trepidation when he worries about what his grandmother will think. An important message about self-discovery and realization.
Baby Touch and Feel: Mermaid
There is so much to explore in this board book for toddlers. Little seashell mirrors, pearly castles under the sea, and a shimmery, sequined mermaid tail are just a few examples. Introduce your baby to mermaids, sea creatures and other related objects while they develop motor skills touching the pages.
Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet
Fancy Nancy loves to be the center of attention, which she often commands by wearing over-the-top frills. When her ballet school announced a new mermaid production, Nancy believes she is the perfect person to play the starring role. Instead, this spunky girl is cast as a tree. Although disappointed, she holds her head high and finds a way to bring a creative touch to a dull character. The big day arrives and a surprise twist forces Nancy to step up her game.
Good Night Mermaids
Help your little ones drift into a peaceful sleep filled with mermaid dreams. This soothing bedtime story features little mermaids doing every day activities. Dolphins, seashells, and seahorses dance across the pages in this sweet mermaid board book.
The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney
The empowering, original story of a mermaid who is not content with the status quo. Instead of following in her sisters' footsteps and living a life at sea, she longs to explore life on a faraway land. In order to realize her dream, she must drink a potion that will replace her magical voice with a pair of legs. It's a sacrifice she is willing to make until her help is needed in the ocean. An entrancing story about finding one's true identity.
Mermaid's First Words
An indestructible book perfect for babies who love to chew. Adorable pictures of a cherubic mermaid fill the pages. Basic terminology, like crab, bubbles, fish, and coral, is introduced. And best of all, this tough book can be tossed into the washing machine.
Aqualicious
Pinkalicious is overjoyed to discover a tiny mermaid, named Aqua, on the beach while gathering seashells. Together, they have a fun-filled day building sandcastles and taking a boat ride. When the day is over, it is time for Pinkalicious to help her friend return home. A fun addition to a best-selling picture book series.
Pearl
A dazzling book delivers a powerful message with sparse text. A tiny mermaid aspires to look after the beautiful world that surrounds her, from the corral reefs deep in the ocean to the wide sandy beaches. But when her mother hands her a grain of sand with instructions to care for it, Pearl feels saddened and unappreciated. The lesson she learns, as the grain of sand is transformed into a beautiful treasure, is pure magic.
If I Were a Mermaid
A gorgeously illustrated story just right for toddlers and preschoolers. Readers are encouraged to imagine life as a mermaid and think about what life is like under the sea. Simple story with just enough text to hold the interest of tiny tots.
Mable: A Mermaid Fable
A gentle tale about self-acceptance and friendship. Mabel was born into a family of mermaids, but she has some physical differences that draw undesirable attention from other underwater creatures. Then one day she meets an octopus who also isn's like the others. They form a special bond that teaches readers about the importance of empathy and kindness.
Mermaid Dreams
Maya is enjoying a beach day with her family, but she wishes she had the courage to join the other kids who are playing together. This shy little girl closes her eyes and is magically transported to the bottom of the sea. Here she finds a magical wonderland full of creatures waiting to be her friend. When Maya discovers she has a tail like the other mermaids, she has a wonderful time swimming and playing with all the others.
The Mermaid's Shoes
Beautiful illustrations draw little readers in to the sweet story about a little girl with big dreams. On the last day of her summer break, Mia discovers a pair of mermaid shoes on the beach and decides that they fit her perfectly. She goes on to make her own tail and tries to find her new home with others. A sweet read for kids that will inspire them to dream.
Sukey and the Mermaid
A gorgeously illustrated, thought-provoking book about Sukey, a girl who is upset by her mean stepfather. He forces her to work in the garden all day long, so one day she sneaks off to her special place by the sea. There she meets a magnificent black mermaid who introduces her to a magical kingdom free of time and pain. But this kingdom also has no people. Sukey must decide whether to make this place her home or return to her real mother and evil stepfather.
The Princess in Black and the Mermaid Princess
Another winner in the best-selling Princess in Black book series.This time the Princess in Black is enjoying a wonderful day with her friends on a royal yacht. Suddenly, a live mermaid princess emerges from the sea. She needs the help of the other princess to save her sea goats from an evil kraken. Unfortunately, the land-dwelling princesses can't offer much support in the water, but they do teach her how to stand up to her underwater nemesis.
Mermaid Kenzie: Protector of the Deeps
An inspiring story about a little girl who is disturbed by all of the plastic destroying marine life. One day while swimming in the ocean, Kenzie's pretend mermaid tale gets tangled in plastic. She decides to explore deeper in the water and is appalled by all the trash that is polluting the sea. Kenzie makes it her mission to do her part in cleaning up, and also in spreading the word so that others join the clean ocean movement. Beautiful illustrations and lyrical prose flow throughout this moving picture book about an influential character.
Mermaids Activity Book
This is the ultimate activity book for any child who loves mermaids. There are more than 30 pages of mermaid puzzles and mazes. Kids will have fun coloring pictures, bringing them to life with their creativity. The back of the book has some intriguing scratch-and-reveal pages with the most sparkly art.
Mermaid Dance
A charming novelty book filled with marine friends. Toddlers will love pulling the tabs to make all the creatures twirl and spin on the water. Narwhals, seals, penguins and polar bears all join together for an epic dance party with a surprise finale.
Mermaid Mia and the Royal Visit
Mermaid Mia is a reporter for her school's newspaper, The Mermail. There has not been anything interesting to report lately, so Mia invents a story that Queen Marina is coming to visit. When the story goes viral, Mia realizes the error of her ways and decides to tell the truth. In the midst of all the confusion, the queen actually drops by and forgives Mia for her untruthful reporting. A rhyming story with an important lesson told from the perspective of a sparkly sea creature.
The Ultimate Mermaid Joke Book
This book is packed with funny jokes. Whimsical illustrations of mermaids and silly little quips and puns will draw lots of giggles. A fun gift to give along with some books or a cute doll! This silly book is also a great way to entertain children at a mermaid-themed birthday party.
Maybe a Mermaid
A coming-of-age, middle grade novel about being open to new possibilities. This is the story of Anthoni Gillis, an 11-year-old who has spent her life moving around with her mother. She has never been in one place long enough to make any real friends. When the pair lands in Thunder Lake for the summer, Anthoni is the first one to dismiss rumors of a mermaid lurking in the waters. Her mind is on other matters, like making a true friend for the first time in her life. But as the summer progresses, Anthoni is drawn in to the mystery and magic of this new lake community.
Once Upon a Mermaid's Tail
A gorgeously illustrated book with a very important message about protecting oceans and marine life. Theodore is a little boy who loves to explore the water in search of interesting fish. One day he discover the most exquisite, little creature in a delicate shell. He scoops her up and relocates her to his tank at home. Once removed from her habitat, the little mermaid loses her color and becomes weak. Theodore races to return her to the ocean where she belongs, and finally realizes that he needs to respect that these creatures thrive best in their natural environment.
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