Harmony & Echo: The Mermaid Ballet

by Brigette Barrager

In a magical underwater world, a mermaid learns to overcome shyness and stage fright as she prepares for the Mermaid Ballet. A picture book that dazzles readers with the debut of two irresistible mermaids--Harmony and Echo--from the co-creator of the bestselling Uni the Unicorn !

Harmony is chill. She is carefree and fun and loves to stop and smell the sea flowers. Echo is a worrier. She can always find something to fuss about. As her best friend, Harmony is determined for Echo to enjoy their debut performance in the Mermaid Ballet.

In a magical water world, the two mermaids practice their steps again and again. They dive through the water like seals, spin in circles like minnows, slither like eels, and more. But Echo is still worried that she’ll forget everything as soon as she faces the audience. So Harmony decides that they should share a secret hand squeeze, one that tells Echo You are fine, you are okay, I’m right next to you . At the crucial moment when Echo is about to stumble, will their plan work so she gets all the moves correct?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship, Fantasy, Mermaids, Emotion

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

Brigette Barrager is an artist, designer, writer, and the illustrator of Pocket Full of Colors by Amy Guglielmo and Jacqueline Tourville as well as the New York Times bestselling Uni the Unicorn by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. She attended the California Institute of the Arts and spent some time working in animation before taking the plunge into book illustration, where she’s lived happily ever after. She resides in Los Angeles with her handsome husband, cute doggy, and terrible cat.

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty illustrations, created with watercolor ink and Photoshop, bring this undersea world of mermaids to life, prompting readers to feel reassured that such a place actually exists. Best friends Harmony and Echo are anticipating an upcoming ballet performance, but while Harmony is excited about the opportunity, Echo is quite anxious about it. While the girls have a lot in common, their personalities and ways of handling stress are very different. Harmony tries to reassure her friend that everything will go just fine, and they even rehearse all the moves one more time. But what makes Echo feel most confident is Harmony's suggestion that she squeeze her hand if she gets nervous or is afraid she will flub a move. The spot artwork showing off the mermaids' various moves is particularly well done since it captures those moves perfectly. Although Echo is still nervous, the performance goes smoothly that night, and the girls agree that the hand squeeze will be helpful in the future as a reminder that they have each other's backs. Teachers, parents, and caregivers might share this title with youngsters as an example of how to draw strength from knowing that someone is always going to be there for you, even during tough times or moments of uncertainty.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrager tells the story of mermaid friends Harmony and Echo. They share many common interests, but Harmony is chill and Echo always seems anxious. The book acknowledges Echo's right to be nervous but also shows how her friend Harmony gives her coping strategies. It actually provides the readers who may share Echo's anxiety but also find practical strategies to cope in their own lives. Readers may be attracted to the book for the mermaids, but they will also get a nice message about friendship along the way.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always like Brigette Barrager’s illustrations. I think they are perfectly sweet and cute and remind me of things I would have loved as a little girl. This mermaid picture book is a sweet story that young readers will adore because it is about mermaids and has soft, underwatery illustrations throughout. The underlying message about helping a friend with anxiety is well-delivered and I the portion where the girls are practicing their dance would work well to keep a storytime group interested.

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story about nervousness. Two mermaid friends are going to be part of a ballet recital. One is nervous so the other practices with her. She feels more confident, but the nervousness doesn't go away completely. Which feels more real than some books. But she's able to power through and perform at the recital.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet tale about a mermaid who's nervous about performing in front of a group, and how her friend calms her anxiety with reassurance and a simple hand squeeze.

The author's lovely illustrations are the real star here.

[E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this while sorting some books at work and picked it up because I’m a sucker for mermaids. The illustrations were lovely and I love that Echo is an anxious worrier like me. The protagonists’ friendship is very sweet and supportive and I appreciated how Harmony doesn’t dismiss Echo’s worries but validates them and helps build her up and reassure her. Just very sweet and cute and a good introductory book for kids on anxiety and how to handle it.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book about mermaids holding hands to give each other moral support during their dance recital. I'm having trouble putting my finger on what exactly I didn't like about this book. I just didn't like it. Too wordy, too touchy-feely. I suppose I should be more empathetic to Echo's anxiety, but she's a fictional character, so I'm going to excuse myself from this one.

[Rebecca Reidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As two young mermaids get ready for their ballet performance, Echo shares her anxious feelings. They decide that if Echo feels nervous during the performance she could squeeze Harmony's hand and she would squeeze it back. This would be a great book to read to kids when talking about feelings and emotions or to children who particularly struggle with anxiety.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. This book is a cross between being about friendship and dealing with anxiety. The illustrations are very colorful and pretty. One thing I didn't like about this book was that it just felt a little too "touchy" or "touchy-feely" for me.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a beautifully illustrated book about mermaids and friendship this is it. Very sweet with little mermaids swimming around and supporting each other while having fun together doing what they love.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends Harmony & Echo are preparing for their Ballet performance. Harmony is relaxed, but Echo is worried about the dance. Harmony ensures Echo that everything will go as rehearsed, and gives her a special signal to let her know that she is by her side all the way.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

M likes mermaids, so she picked this out. One of the mermaids is nervous about performing in the ballet, so the other one helps her practice and calm down. It was okay, but the storyline was a bit meh and at times there were too many words per page.

[Mii · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the illustration...so pretty

[Y.Poston]

a delightful mermaid friendship story

[Kelly]

This book was sweet. It was about being a great friend and just a fun mermaid book. I think kids will like this one. It has a lot of under the sea elements.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cute picture book about mermaids and friendship, then this is perfect for you.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about friendship and dealing with nerves.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friendship is lovely. But I wonder if it gets hard for the mermaid who is always the strong one. Who is there for her?!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You are fine, you are okay, I’m right next to you.”

[Rolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute and sweet way to talk about anxiety, and how we can help our friends who have anxiety.