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Merna is a mermaid. After getting injured in the ocean, she receives help from a fisherman named Mark. They build a relationship, get married, and have a daughter together. Moving to a coastal town in Maine, Merna becomes well known as a doting mother, helpful neighbor, and community volunteer. No one outside Merna’s family knows that she is a mermaid who changes back to her original form by getting wet, and it proves to be a costly mistake for a burglar who breaks into her home. Merna fills the whole house with water, knocks out the thief, ties him up, and calls the police. She drains the house to hide any evidence of her being a mermaid before the authorities arrive. Just like that, she has saved the day.
This children’s book is beautifully illustrated. Merna, in her mermaid form on the front cover, is lovely, and the colorful pictures accompanying the text are detailed and eye-catching. The story itself is very simple and straightforward. It tells readers how Merna and her husband met, that she is a good parent, and that she helps in the community. Then there is the burglar incident, which is described in geat detail. The author includes quirky aspects to the goings-on, such as the fact that the home where Merna lives can get filled up with water and drained easily or that Merna changes to her mermaid form whenever she gets wet. However, the narrative also leads to questions, such as whether Merna’s identity is truly safe or if Merna’s daughter, Marissa, can also turn into a mermaid, speculations that make one wonder if a sequel may be in the works. Overall, this mermaid tale makes for an interesting read and leaves readers with many things to ponder afterward.