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The Singing Mermaid
The Singing Mermaid Did you ever go to Silversands on a sunny summer's day? Then perhaps you saw the mermaid who sang in the deep blue bay. Full description
Hardcover
First published April 1, 2012
9 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Julia Donaldson
1,224 books1,899 followersGrowing up
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him).
Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.
Busking and books
Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta.
The busking led to a career in singing and songwriting, mainly for children’s television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window-cleaning and horrible smells. “We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin” was a typical request from the BBC.
I also continued to write “grown-up” songs and perform them in folk clubs and on the radio, and have recently released two CDs of these songs.
One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books.
Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it! My novel THE GIANTS AND THE JONESES is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic PRINCESS MIRROR-BELLE who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old. I have just finished writing a novel for teenagers.
When I’m not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. and it feels as if we’ve come full circle - back to busking.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
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June 8, 2025points at the villain of the piece: "ma'am that's just p.t. barnum in a top hat"
September 19, 2013
This enjoyable and amusing rhyme book tells the story of a singing mermaid who gets lured into joining a circus by Sam Sly (the owner of the circus) with false promises of fortune and fame, despite being warned by her seashore friends. The crowd grew and were fascinated by the mermaid’s singing, which generated a lot of money. The mermaid made good friends with those she shared a caravan with that were also in the circus. However, she was not friends with Sam as he made her live in a fish tank with no room. Beginning to realise that Sam had lied about the promises he made, she no longer wanted to stay in the circus and yearned to be set free, however Sam had refused her demand. As the year went on by with the mermaid singing in sadness, the seagull of the seashore had discovered the caravan and planned to help set the mermaid free. But the mermaid could not walk with her tail, but was able to walk by her hands with the help from Annie the Acrobat, who gave her lessons for a few weeks. The mermaid was then able to escape from the circus, with the use of hands, to go back to the Silversands Seashore as the seagull stole the key from Sam. The story then ends with the mermaid being happy and in joy as she returned to her home.
This creative picture book is very well illustrated with the use of glitter and colourful pictures. I find this to be a very engaging tool for the children as it allows them to analyse and to be more drawn into the story. Not only is the book attention grabbing, but it also exciting where it provides a stimulating effect to the reader as the story unfolds into unexpected plots throughout the story, for e.g. when the mermaid manages to escape. I believe this imaginative book teaches children that the moral of the story is to be careful who to trust, especially having just met them, as they may rope one in in order to benefit themselves with one’s talent by false promises. With the use of rhymes throughout the book, children are able to have more fun reading the story, which can help with the development and learning of new words and expressions.
This book can be used to read to a class up to a particular part in the story, followed up by a lesson with children guessing and drawing what they think will happen next. This will allow the children to use and broaden their imagination. I would recommend this book to children in KS 1.
This creative picture book is very well illustrated with the use of glitter and colourful pictures. I find this to be a very engaging tool for the children as it allows them to analyse and to be more drawn into the story. Not only is the book attention grabbing, but it also exciting where it provides a stimulating effect to the reader as the story unfolds into unexpected plots throughout the story, for e.g. when the mermaid manages to escape. I believe this imaginative book teaches children that the moral of the story is to be careful who to trust, especially having just met them, as they may rope one in in order to benefit themselves with one’s talent by false promises. With the use of rhymes throughout the book, children are able to have more fun reading the story, which can help with the development and learning of new words and expressions.
This book can be used to read to a class up to a particular part in the story, followed up by a lesson with children guessing and drawing what they think will happen next. This will allow the children to use and broaden their imagination. I would recommend this book to children in KS 1.
May 25, 2017
Julia Donaldson is very good at writing the rhyming story and this is as good as her other work. A mermaid that loves to sing but gets tricked into joining a circus...I won't tell you how it ends but it does feature a seagull.
Oh and if you like glitter then this book is for you. :-)
Oh and if you like glitter then this book is for you. :-)
May 17, 2021
Julia Donaldson books are always a pleasure and this one is no exception! The pictures are delightfully detailed (the emotions portrayed on the sea creatures faces are wonderful!) and the added glitter is sure to appeal to younger children (3+). The story is well thought out with a nice clear villain and the use of rich, rhyming text throughout is perfect for developing young children's awareness of rhythm, rhyme and repetition - key skills for emerging readers. This is sure to become a firm favourite with young children and will grow well with them from parent/teacher read aloud to independent reading (6-8 yr olds).
November 16, 2022
This is a lovely story that teaches youngsters the dangers of listening to people who promise you things that are too good to be true. The artwork is bold and striking, and the story is told in a delightful rhyme that keeps my toddler gripped from beginning to end.
July 21, 2021
It is a wonderful story about a mermaid and her life and her wonderful adventures.
May 3, 2019
Read to Alice whilst babysitting. It was quite good actually!!
July 20, 2023
Another wonderfully rhyming tale from Donaldson the queen of children’s literature. The first I’ve read without Scheffler’s illustrations alongside though and it wasn’t quite the complete package as a result.
May 2, 2013
Picked this up for my neice in London. Sweet story of a singing mermaid who is lured to the circus and longs to go home. It is tactile and beautifully illustrated and longs to be read by little ones. Both my neice and nephew wanted to read this first out of about 12 books I brought back. The Glitter on every page might have had something to do with that too :-)
December 23, 2015
I like prose stories, rhyme stories for children like this one was very enjoyable. I bought this as a Christmas present for my 5yr old little boy who put it as one of his main things for Christmas. Though the one we got didn't have a free T-shirt, it had an audio disc instead, he loves audio books.
Though he did raise a question to me today "do mermaids always have to be girls"?
Though he did raise a question to me today "do mermaids always have to be girls"?
March 3, 2021
A sad tale of an exploited mermaid that ends happily (though a little poignantly, in my opinion). My toddler loves the glitter on each page and has enjoyed reading it many times now. Julia Donaldson makes some really lovely books.
June 8, 2018
Like the Little Mermaid, this mermaid is a talented singer who draws the attention of a man. This time, it's Sam Sly, the circus owner. He offers her fame and fortune, taking her away to be in his circus.
August 9, 2018
Een mooi met glitter (zoveel glitter) gevuld prentenboek over een zeemeermin die blijkbaar geen water nodig heeft om te overleven op het land. Ze gaat, met haar niet slimme hoofd, een deal aan met het circus (ondanks dat al haar vriendjes heel duidelijk zeggen dat het niet een goed idee is, maar waarom zou je luisteren?), en je mag zelf al raden hoe dat eindigt. Wel een leuk einde met een hele goede oplossing, kunnen we dit ook aan de andere meerminnen vertellen. Maar ja, die hebben dan weer het hele water is leven ding, dus misschien werkt het toch niet zo goed.
De tekeningen waren best leuk gedaan!
De tekeningen waren best leuk gedaan!
August 22, 2020
I am yet to find a Julia Donaldson book that isn't completely wonderful. Lydia Monks' illustrations are also so much fun (I am also a huge fan of What the Ladybird Heard). I love that this book seems to subtly acknowledge the cruelty to animals that pervades the circus industry.
September 15, 2018
This book is very good to read to children, but mainly in my own experiences the illustrations are a nice way to discuss what is going on. For instance: discussing why the mermaid becomes sad and why do they think she has suddenly become sad. This is a good way to check and monitor children's understanding, to see if they can recall what has been read.
January 22, 2019
As always Julia Donaldson comes up with a unique story in a rhyme format and excellent illustrations. The story is of a mermaid who falls in trap of a greedy circus owner Sam and her success in going back to sea where she belongs It has underlying lessons of not trusting words blindly and strength of friendships. All in all a fun story with glittery pages which becomes a visual treat
February 7, 2020
This is about a mermaid that sings to the sea creatures. She ends up in a circus and has to live in a tank where there is no sea life. This makes her sad so she wants to leave but the circus won’t let her. She eventually gets back home to the sea where she is happy as she is singing back to the sea creatures again.
February 13, 2020
3 year old loves it - has firmly made it to the regular pile for story time.
She loves the embossed and glittery designs on the paper too, scratches and feels them throughout the book. Lovely and delightful rhyming story for me to read and it has pretty, engaging and colourful illustrations for little one.
She loves the embossed and glittery designs on the paper too, scratches and feels them throughout the book. Lovely and delightful rhyming story for me to read and it has pretty, engaging and colourful illustrations for little one.
September 7, 2020
A wonderful picture book for young readers that have vibrant illustrations and different textures such as glitter that provide a sensory element for young readers. Its about a singing mermaid who lives in Silversands who is promised fortune and fame by Sam Sly at the circus. However, after being trapped by Sam Sly will her friends from Silversands be able to save her?
September 30, 2019
The Singing Mermaid tells the story of a mermaid who has a beautiful singing voice who is tricked into joining the circus by her horrible owner. She is forced to sing in the circus and kept in a fish tank but she meets some new friends. Can she make it back to her home under the sea with the help of her new friends?
The story has lovely poetry that flows beautifully throughout the story. It also has a range of characters that convey the typical fairy tale story including a bad character and a good character.
The story has lovely poetry that flows beautifully throughout the story. It also has a range of characters that convey the typical fairy tale story including a bad character and a good character.
September 1, 2021
Was pleasantly surprised to see how much my two year old enjoyed this book (starting 18 months) - the rhymes are fun and the story is engaging. It also doubles up as a seek and find book with it’s beautiful and detailed illustrations.
October 1, 2017
LOVE it!
November 8, 2018
My Little girl loves this it's a great story for young children and the edition I have is sparkly which makes it that extra bit special, lovely book❤🧜♀️
November 30, 2018
Sweet and a good starting point for talking about animals in circuses
May 6, 2019
Sam. Sky. You
Jacob
Alice
Alongside
Man a
Oa?! Cal
Haha
Jacob
Alice
Alongside
Man a
Oa?! Cal
Haha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2020
Whimsical and lyrical. Brilliantly and vividly illustrated with real glitter! Florence loves the happy ending.
February 21, 2020
Beautiful book by Julia Donaldson.
Fantastic rhyming and a great story about a mermaid who was kept at a circus. Could talk to the children about her feeling and if this was fair?
Fantastic rhyming and a great story about a mermaid who was kept at a circus. Could talk to the children about her feeling and if this was fair?
June 16, 2020
A great story with a great moral and happy ending.
July 31, 2020
Gifted the book to my 5 year old niece on her birthday. She greatly enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews