The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime

A fierce young mermaid rebels against prim behavioral advice in Sumner’s ornery metafictional title. The protagonist’s outrage begins in reaction to the titular volume’s opening line: “Once upon an evening, a good little mermaid begins to get ready for bed.” Responding “I’m not a good little mermaid. I am a predator,” she continues to react ferociously to the parallel text. When the guide notes that “a well-moisturized tail will glisten like the night stars,” she counters, “I AM THE NIGHT. I AM THE DARKNESS.” Gregory’s digital artwork casts the merchild with pink skin, flowing blue-green hair, and eyes that widen menacingly. Seafoam-colored scenes show her preparing to chow down on fish, a young snorkler, and even an entire ship before wishing the audience “SWEET NIGHTMARES.” It’s a story for the bedtime-avoidant whose curmudgeonly antihero truly shines—“LIKE A FLASH OF DANGER.” Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3–7. [em](Mar.) [/em]