The Little Mermaid

by Freya Littledale (Adapter), Daniel San Souci (Illustrator)

A little mermaid falls in love with a handsome prince and sacrifices a great deal in hopes of marrying him.

Genres: Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Classics, Fantasy

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1986

About the author

Freya Littledale (1929 - 1992) was a children's book author, adapter, and editor. Most of her works were retold fairytales.

Reviews

[Marybeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this achingly beautiful illustrated version of Hans Christian Anderson's story as a child taught me not to believe that "and they all lived happily ever after" was a given when a story concluded. Or to expect it in real life. It was also the first time I realized that movie adaptations could so fundamentally change the source material. My original "the book was better."

[Jyotishna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book since I very tiny and I read it almost everyday. Although this is not exactly like the movie and other books it is still about a mermaid and is kind of related to The Little Mermaid. I really liked it but that was after I read it a few times and then I read it too amny times and now I just get bored after the first page. It is a very good book for children.

[SBC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never been a big fan of the Little Mermaid (something about losing her tail to gain legs but it feeling like walking on knives never felt good to me as a child!), but I recently came into possession of three retellings of the story, so I went and read the original by Anderson (translated by Erik Christian Haugaard) and I feel better about the tale - because it wasn't after all a tragic ending, since the little mermaid was not just trying to win the prince's love, but to win an immortal soul, and she gets the chance to do that.

This was the third of the retellings I came into possession of - and the only one I will keep! Not only are the illustrations beautiful, but the retelling is close to the original (and therefore makes the most sense and is the most evocative). A lovely adaptation.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always liked this version of this fairy tale, it was more intense than the Disney version, more in keeping with Anderson's, including the ending. The Little Mermaid's story was very emotional, she suffered for wanting to follow her dreams, and in the end, she had to settle for not achieving them.

The illustrations were gorgeous. vivid colors, incredible detail. It is worth noting that the mermaids, though covered by long hair are naked from the waist up. One of my favorite illustrations was of when she visits the Sea Witch. It is dark and atmospheric, very eerie.

If you are interested in reading a more original version (nothing against Disney) try this picture book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has taken me years to finally find this book! I was OBSESSED with it in 1st grade so much that the school librarian told me I had to stop renewing it, "So other children had a chance to read it". I still resent this statement but I guess after almost 27 years it was time to get my own copy that I will not have to share. It is called maturity.

This books is just as magical as I remember! The illustrations are dreamy, the story is" un-Disney" but changed just enough to give it a much happier/interesting ending than the original tale.

I forgive you Ms. Kershenski.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was 5 or 6 when the Disney movie came out, I loved it, but I also had this adaptation of the fairy tale.

I remember being traumatised by this, but still loving it. It is not the Disney version and I think it's better for it. I remember thinking that the illustrations (by Daniel San Souci) were beautiful, too.

[Cleopatraselene2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Read it all the time when I was little. It is not the Disney Little Mermaid version, but the original Hans Christian Anderson one. Instead of the stereotypical girl-gets-boy ending, this version teaches a more realistic outlook to children. It does involve a small amount of violence due to the fact it is the original tale set in older times. It never affected me, though after my parents read it they got rid of it. Teaches great messages and lessons.