March 15, 2017
Wealthy, odious collectors of marine life pursue the last creature needed to complete their collection--a -genuine rainbow-scaled, green-skinned, fluorescent mermaid.-This latest translated chapter book from Funke (Ruffleclaw, 2015, etc.) opens with a pair of Roald Dahl-type villains, Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel. Owners of many businesses, they devote their wealth to obtaining all sorts of sea creatures for their not-quite-so-well-tended collection. They've invested enough in their hobby to have their own -lightning-fast submarine- and to hire multiple underwater detectives to try to find them an elusive mermaid. Finally, the most famous of these underwater detectives succeeds, locating a secret underwater mermaid city. Meanwhile, at the city, adventurous young merpups like titular Lilly and Fin ignore warnings about the Two-Legs to explore and play beyond its borders, making them vulnerable to the Snorkels' minion. Sure enough, they manage to nab Fin. Lilly escapes through a dark crevice only to find the other cautionary tale she didn't really believe in--the kraken. The kraken is friendly, lonely, and playful--though his manners aren't exactly on point--and moreover is willing to help his new friend rescue Fin. The green-skinned merpups find the white villains pretty disgusting (the kraken deems dark-skinned Two-Legs somewhat less repulsive). The illustrations provide scale--and scales--enhancing the straightforward story. An entertaining story with sly humor and an old-fashioned vibe. (Fantasy. 7-9)
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March 1, 2017
Gr 2-4-Lilly and Fin are adventurous merpups who live deep in the sea amid the wreckage of sunken ships with other mermaid families. Even though their parents have told them to stay close to home and beware of ships, propellers, and "two legs" (aka humans), Lilly and Fin don't give the advice a moment's thought as they sneak away to investigate a cave they recently found. Unbeknownst to them, exploring the same area are a mermaid-obsessed couple, the Snorkels. They have acquired just about every sea species there is except mermaids and they are determined to get one for their collection. Ignatius Harkenear, the famous underwater detective, has looked far and wide and has discovered this school of mermaids. The Snorkels and Harkenear jump into their submarine, the Sea Devil, in hopes of finally obtaining their prize. Lilly and Fin are exploring when the submarine invades their playground. As they scramble to evade capture, giant pincers reach out to grab them. Readers will quickly turn the pages to see if Lilly and Fin elude capture or wind up on display in the Snorkels' aquarium. VERDICT At under 100 pages, with short chapters, plenty of illustrations, and fast-paced action, this is an accessible option for young readers ready for chapter books.-Laura Fields Eason, Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School, Bowling Green, KY
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
March 15, 2017
Grades 2-4 Though best friends Lilly and Finn, two mermaid children, have heard about the giant kraken and the dangerous Two-Legs (humans), they consider these horrors to be legendary characters in tales designed to keep little ones close to home. Lilly, who has a history of goading Fin into joining her escapades against his better judgment, persuades him to join her for another adventure. Meanwhile, a wealthy, greedy human couple lurks in a submarine nearby, hoping to snare a mermaid for an aquarium. After they trap Finn, it's up to Lilly and an unlikely ally to rescue him. In the same format as Funke's Emma and the Blue Genie (2014), Ruffleclaw (2015), and The Pirate Pig (2015), this chapter book offers an adventurous plot and entertaining dialogue in a story rounded out with imaginative details. Funke's illustrations, nicely composed but not seen in final form, will be reproduced in color. First published in Germany in 2014, this story will appeal to many readers intrigued by mermaids.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)
January 1, 2018
Eight-year-old mer-kids Lilly and Fin go exploring outside their underwater city, not realizing humans Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel are lurking in the shadows to capture them. A friendly kraken helps the kids escape and then put an end to the Snorkels' nefarious plan. Finely detailed illustrations by the author, along with an appended game board and a picture hunt throughout, round out this enchanting adventure.
(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)