Stories of Mermaids

by Russell Punter, Desideria Guicciardini (Illustrator)

Collects three tales about mermaids--one who is poor and must steal to save her mother, one who solves a crime, and one who is willing to give up her tail for love.

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction

48 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2005

About the author

Russell Punter was born in Bedfordshire, England. From an early age he enjoyed writing and illustrating his own stories. He trained as a graphic designer at art college in West Sussex before entering the world of publishing. He has written over one hundred books for children of all ages, ranging from original stories to adaptations of classic novels.

Reviews

[Farah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three Stories, different themes - Family love, Crime does not pay and Legs over Tail or vice versa.

[Yi Ju · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it is a traditional version. After finishing the whole book, I read many new ideas, including how brave the mermaid is and non-traditional love story. It is new to readers.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was given to Ellie after she finished her 2nd Spartan Race. Every summer our girl turns into a mermaid in the pool. Great stories from Usborne

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie received this book after completing her 2nd Spartan Race. 9/13/14. Read this book again today. She rates it 4 stars, Jacob 2 stars.

[Krisz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book won't be anybody's favourite, but it's OK to read a few times.
It contains three stories:
- about a mermaid who goes to get a certain seaweed for her mum (they were poor so they lived in a small dark cave... ehm?);
- about a sea race and a theft (the theft was actually smart, but why would the king give away a pearl that secures the winner live forever?);
- about a mermaid who wanted legs, so that she could dance (cliché... you could actually dance underwater...).

[Riley Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that these stories are perfect for young children. While the stories are all fairly basic they are cohesive, with each being wholly unique. One of the character quotes in the first story had me a little confused but it was a little funny.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute little book. There are three stories inside that are short for reading aloud together and a good start for those who are beginning to read on their own.

[Magnolia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first chapter book! I read it over and over. My favorite part was chapter 3 when the mermaid changed.

[Khanifia S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mermaids .I love mermaids. shiny stuff glimmering shells such lovely pictures. the best book in the world!!!!!

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book who doesn’t love mermaids

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not great messages in the stories, especially for the first two. Zero diversity and the female mermaids couldn’t have a smaller waist to save their life.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

We prefer their traditional fairy tales, but this was fun.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Bea's review as such as we only purchased this today. Read at bedtime and a delightful trio of stories of Mermaids.

This is a stage one book, aimed at readers who have just started reading alone. I think Bea is going to enjoy reading this one by herself.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.45 Stars

A magical bed time story. I read it in around 20 minutes. I remember when I was a little girl I used to dream of being a mermaid and one of my favourite movies was The Little Mermaid ( by Disney mind you not the original by Hans Christian Anderson which I discovered when I was older and found it was rather depressing and sad). This also has beautiful illustrations with intricate and it's also a wonderful short read with 3 different stories contained. Though the stories were predictable and rather cheesy it certainly is enchanting and even more so for a little girl where if you read it at bedtime is bound to giver her sweet , fantastical dreams of being under the sea ( and a mermaid). It is shorter than a lot of the other Usborne Tales I have read being Series One and very simple to read. Which means it is perfect for beginners which would definitely create a love of reading as The Swan Princess did for me.

[Ninglu · Rating 2 out of 5]

A child's book, yet awfully like a small collection of fractured fairytales, one almost like Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid, or perhaps the Disney version.

[Shelly Koressel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun book about mermaids and wonderful ocean pictures. Kinda like the Disney Little Mermaid movie, parts of it anyway?

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun stores for little girls with Mermaid fever!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my niece during a car ride. Not much to appeal to an adult, but kept the attention of a five-year-old well.