Mermaid School

A mermaid’s first day of school is strikingly similar to the one experienced by her human counterparts. Once the making-new-friends jitters dissipate, things go swimmingly: the narrator and her classmates bond with each other and their teachers, take ownership of their coral reef cubbies, learn math concepts with seashells, and sing their “A-B-Seas.” They’re also riveted at story time by a “fantasy” about “boys and girls who have no tails/And can’t breathe undersea.” The message in the soothing, sing-song rhymes by Wetzel (Playing Juliet) is evident: “When I arrive, there’s no one here/ That I have met before./ But I can make new friends at school./ I’m always glad for more.” Readers may be heartened by the little mermaids’ independence (no parents appear) and their ability to quickly master a new environment. Unflappable, doll-like characters and sea-green-toned watercolors by Swaney (If You’re Happy and You Know It!) lend the pages a dreamy, comforting feel. Ages 3–7. (July)