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Mermaids, Sirens and Selkies: Myths and Legends
Legends about sea people – part human, part fish – have been told across the world since ancient times. Now the best of these stories are brought together in one entrancing volume.
Early maps carried illustrations of mermaids alongside monsters, signalling both the allure and the danger of uncharted seas. The far-reaching historical and cultural significance of mermaids and their kin is reflected in the myriad stories about them.
Odysseus at sea must resist the sirens’ song. There are sea serpents from North America and selkies from Scotland. And from shores across the globe, humble fishermen and princes alike fall in love with mermaids in stories from Germany to Japan by way of Denmark with the famous story of The Little Mermaid.
Mermaids, Sirens and Myths and Legends is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
For more myths from Jean Menzies, Fairies, Elves and Sprites is also available.
Early maps carried illustrations of mermaids alongside monsters, signalling both the allure and the danger of uncharted seas. The far-reaching historical and cultural significance of mermaids and their kin is reflected in the myriad stories about them.
Odysseus at sea must resist the sirens’ song. There are sea serpents from North America and selkies from Scotland. And from shores across the globe, humble fishermen and princes alike fall in love with mermaids in stories from Germany to Japan by way of Denmark with the famous story of The Little Mermaid.
Mermaids, Sirens and Myths and Legends is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
For more myths from Jean Menzies, Fairies, Elves and Sprites is also available.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 2, 2025
lovely mix of sea folklore, i’ve never read the little mermaid before a lot sadder than i thought it would be :( loved the mermaid wife a lot too!
August 2, 2025
Jean Menzies edits Mermaids, Sirens, and Selkies in the most bizarre way—to the point in which this collection cheapens Macmillan’s rich and respected history.
Given, I had expected more historical context surrounding respective countries beliefs in sea-maidens as opposed to what this collection offers: curated fables and fairy tales centering sea creatures. That being said, the later would have sufficed had it not been for Menzies’ introductions to each tale. The introductions last 300 words at most, and read as if the teleprompter for a presenter at the Kids Choice Awards. Most introductions begin with a version of “you may not know, but…” or “perhaps you are unfamiliar with…” and then ends with “but surprise, surprise,” or “you guessed it: a mermaid”.
I feel insulted that this ever made it to print, and I’m left confused by what demographic this collection was meant for. Historically, Macmillan Collector’s Library editions are meant for serious literary enthusiasts… so why Menzies would use her limited word count to explicitly presume readers hadn’t heard of the Brothers Grimm is beyond me. Either PhD Jean Menzies is a bad writer, or more likely, this was made with AI involvement.
Given, I had expected more historical context surrounding respective countries beliefs in sea-maidens as opposed to what this collection offers: curated fables and fairy tales centering sea creatures. That being said, the later would have sufficed had it not been for Menzies’ introductions to each tale. The introductions last 300 words at most, and read as if the teleprompter for a presenter at the Kids Choice Awards. Most introductions begin with a version of “you may not know, but…” or “perhaps you are unfamiliar with…” and then ends with “but surprise, surprise,” or “you guessed it: a mermaid”.
I feel insulted that this ever made it to print, and I’m left confused by what demographic this collection was meant for. Historically, Macmillan Collector’s Library editions are meant for serious literary enthusiasts… so why Menzies would use her limited word count to explicitly presume readers hadn’t heard of the Brothers Grimm is beyond me. Either PhD Jean Menzies is a bad writer, or more likely, this was made with AI involvement.
August 5, 2025
this collection of stories was so sweet, i especially loved the little mermaid. so many amazing myths and tales from so many different places! however, i didn’t really love the narration from the editor.
February 8, 2026
Lovely mix of different countries and cultures! Hawaiian, Scottish, Swedish, e.t.c….
It was fun for me to read folklores I had already known faintly and it was a different read to what I usually read!
Some of them are nicely tied to certain cultures explanations of why things happen, which I also find fun to read.
It was fun for me to read folklores I had already known faintly and it was a different read to what I usually read!
Some of them are nicely tied to certain cultures explanations of why things happen, which I also find fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews