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How to Spot a Mermaid: A Field Guide to Magical Sea People
A vibrant, illustrated guide to the mermaids and sea creatures living in the oceans, rivers, and streams (yes, really!) around the world.
For centuries, sailors have told tales of majestic—sometimes dangerous—creatures lurking beneath the ocean waves. Over the years, however, researchers have traced these legends to the very real world of merfolk. From yemayas and morgen to sirens, frosties, and more, this illustrated compendium of mermaids takes a deeper look at the different species swimming in seas around the world and highlights their magical abilities. Complete with interactive quizzes (e.g. "What’s Your Mermaid Personality?") and activities/crafts (e.g. Identifying Fossils; Brew Your Own Ocean Potion), this field guide will sweep you away on an underwater adventure!
For centuries, sailors have told tales of majestic—sometimes dangerous—creatures lurking beneath the ocean waves. Over the years, however, researchers have traced these legends to the very real world of merfolk. From yemayas and morgen to sirens, frosties, and more, this illustrated compendium of mermaids takes a deeper look at the different species swimming in seas around the world and highlights their magical abilities. Complete with interactive quizzes (e.g. "What’s Your Mermaid Personality?") and activities/crafts (e.g. Identifying Fossils; Brew Your Own Ocean Potion), this field guide will sweep you away on an underwater adventure!
144 pages, Hardcover
Published June 17, 2025
1 person is currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Glenn Marsh
31 books850 followersSarah Glenn Marsh has been an avid fantasy reader since the day her dad handed her a copy of The Hobbit and promised it would change her life. She believes we all deserve happy endings and is an author of books for everyone, including many young adult, middle grade, and picture book titles.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
She lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family, including one sweet daughter, one slightly dull sword, and the chaos of many pets, like a turtle named Muffin who she definitely did not bring back from any haunted swamp. Our Rogue Fates is her first adult novel.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 6, 2025
The beginning does loosely read like a field guide or textbook that would be read in a classroom. My gut tells me that young children reading this outside of school may skip over all of that.
Playing into the fantasy of this read, it probably would have been good to include more illustrations / sketches. Especially when not being more descriptive, like for the guide to magical reefs and ponds.
What illustrations there are are fun, and there is an interactive section in the back with quizzes (setup is a bit confusing) and activities the kids can do with adult supervision. As mentioned previously, it would probably be a good/fun activity discussion book for school even though it is based on fantasy/folklore and given plenty of liberties.
eARC courtesy of NetGalley / Running Press / Running Press Kids
Playing into the fantasy of this read, it probably would have been good to include more illustrations / sketches. Especially when not being more descriptive, like for the guide to magical reefs and ponds.
What illustrations there are are fun, and there is an interactive section in the back with quizzes (setup is a bit confusing) and activities the kids can do with adult supervision. As mentioned previously, it would probably be a good/fun activity discussion book for school even though it is based on fantasy/folklore and given plenty of liberties.
eARC courtesy of NetGalley / Running Press / Running Press Kids
May 1, 2025
Have you ever heard of a Rusalka mermaid? Do you know the preferred diet of an Undine? Are you looking for a good recipe for brewing your own ocean potion, or a quiz to help you learn, once and for all, what is your mermaid personality? For all of the above, Sarah Glenn Marsh's "How to Spot a Mermaid" has you covered!
Informative, beautifully-illustrated, and narratively immersive, this book is honestly a children's literature (non-fiction?) masterpiece. One of the things I loved most about the book is how smartly it was structured and organized. The book starts out by giving some really well-placed context that makes the stories feel more vibrant and real: first, with some very lovely information about different types of coral and underwater plants and their uses which was super fun and informative; and second, with the background on Sailor's Tales which were very interesting and provided a perfect segue into the next section: the most(ly) complete compendium of mermaids. In this section, which is the most substantial section of the book, mermaids are organized by ocean name ("as each mermaid can be found only within the limits of their ocean of origin"!) and important facts - including their spoken language, preferred diet, personality, appearance, and favourite types of music - are included to give every reader the most current and up-to-date knowledge about the mermaids and other magical beings living in the deepest, darkest corners of the ocean. The compendium is followed up with a 'secondary' guide of mermaids' companions, sharing details about all sorts of mermaid friends from bluenose dolphins to polar bears. The book's final section provides magical quizzes and activities that let you decipher your mermaid personality type, learn how to make your own ocean bath bomb, and more. From start to finish, this book gives the reader everything they need to feel completely immersed in the beautiful world under the sea.
Reading an advance reader copy of "How to Spot a Mermaid" was honestly a kind of full-circle moment as one of the first books I remember reading as an avid young reader was a similarly informative book on mermaids that I was absolutely obsessed with (the title currently alludes me). Reading Sarah Glenn Marsh's book brought back all of those nostalgic feelings in the best way. As much as I enjoyed this as an adult, I know I would have loved it infinitely more if I was currently a young girl, or this book had been available when I was. Which is a long way of saying that this book will be appealing (and well-loved) by young readers with any interest in mermaids, sea lore, fairytales, fantasy, and/or children's literature in general. 10/10 recommended for any and all mermaid lovers!
Informative, beautifully-illustrated, and narratively immersive, this book is honestly a children's literature (non-fiction?) masterpiece. One of the things I loved most about the book is how smartly it was structured and organized. The book starts out by giving some really well-placed context that makes the stories feel more vibrant and real: first, with some very lovely information about different types of coral and underwater plants and their uses which was super fun and informative; and second, with the background on Sailor's Tales which were very interesting and provided a perfect segue into the next section: the most(ly) complete compendium of mermaids. In this section, which is the most substantial section of the book, mermaids are organized by ocean name ("as each mermaid can be found only within the limits of their ocean of origin"!) and important facts - including their spoken language, preferred diet, personality, appearance, and favourite types of music - are included to give every reader the most current and up-to-date knowledge about the mermaids and other magical beings living in the deepest, darkest corners of the ocean. The compendium is followed up with a 'secondary' guide of mermaids' companions, sharing details about all sorts of mermaid friends from bluenose dolphins to polar bears. The book's final section provides magical quizzes and activities that let you decipher your mermaid personality type, learn how to make your own ocean bath bomb, and more. From start to finish, this book gives the reader everything they need to feel completely immersed in the beautiful world under the sea.
Reading an advance reader copy of "How to Spot a Mermaid" was honestly a kind of full-circle moment as one of the first books I remember reading as an avid young reader was a similarly informative book on mermaids that I was absolutely obsessed with (the title currently alludes me). Reading Sarah Glenn Marsh's book brought back all of those nostalgic feelings in the best way. As much as I enjoyed this as an adult, I know I would have loved it infinitely more if I was currently a young girl, or this book had been available when I was. Which is a long way of saying that this book will be appealing (and well-loved) by young readers with any interest in mermaids, sea lore, fairytales, fantasy, and/or children's literature in general. 10/10 recommended for any and all mermaid lovers!
July 25, 2025
A guide to the world's merfolk – so a book that is pretending to be non-fiction while being very much on the other shelf. We start with lessons about the environment and what we should do at the seaside, before learning that the mermaids are ruining the world themselves by using all the corals – charming! After a couple of bonus-seeming pages regarding sailors' superstitions, we get the mermaid gazetteer we thought this to be.
The first entry then sets the tone – a couple of pages of text, headlined by a portrait, the diet, likes (including musical taste) and dislikes of each species. Atlantis has been rediscovered and repopulated, and it's just as busy and cultured as it was above the waves, we're told – many of these like to cook, or read, or enjoy poetry. Any dictionary telling you a stranach is a coastal sound is wrong – they're the most Irish version of the creature. Belugas aren't always belugas – they might be a specific mermaid, upside-down – and one that loves a good ol' show tune at that.
So this kind of does what it wants to do – acts as a guide to a fantasy world, that we could potentially hope is true. I don't know what we gain by knowing deep sea Atlantic mermaids like listening to EDM, however, when the world has a host of mermaid-styled creatures we ought to have more knowledge of. Only the day before reading this I discovered the matsya kanya (not literally, you understand) – and I would have preferred a book telling us the lore of all the real deal merfolk and mer-critters, however inventive this tome actually is.
And that is pretty highly inventive, when all is considered. This manages to present really believed-in mermaids (the marakihau of New Zealand, for instance) as well as copyrightable inventions such as the aforementioned stranach, or adelie mermaids. And to close we get a section on the aquatic life they share their waves with – as pet-like magical companion animals. I'd certainly not have put the sirens in the Pacific, but hey, if they hate men so much now that they've fled there that kinda makes for decent mythology. And ultimately that's what this is – a well-formed (and informed) spread of mythological bites, making a suitable and colourful whole.
The first entry then sets the tone – a couple of pages of text, headlined by a portrait, the diet, likes (including musical taste) and dislikes of each species. Atlantis has been rediscovered and repopulated, and it's just as busy and cultured as it was above the waves, we're told – many of these like to cook, or read, or enjoy poetry. Any dictionary telling you a stranach is a coastal sound is wrong – they're the most Irish version of the creature. Belugas aren't always belugas – they might be a specific mermaid, upside-down – and one that loves a good ol' show tune at that.
So this kind of does what it wants to do – acts as a guide to a fantasy world, that we could potentially hope is true. I don't know what we gain by knowing deep sea Atlantic mermaids like listening to EDM, however, when the world has a host of mermaid-styled creatures we ought to have more knowledge of. Only the day before reading this I discovered the matsya kanya (not literally, you understand) – and I would have preferred a book telling us the lore of all the real deal merfolk and mer-critters, however inventive this tome actually is.
And that is pretty highly inventive, when all is considered. This manages to present really believed-in mermaids (the marakihau of New Zealand, for instance) as well as copyrightable inventions such as the aforementioned stranach, or adelie mermaids. And to close we get a section on the aquatic life they share their waves with – as pet-like magical companion animals. I'd certainly not have put the sirens in the Pacific, but hey, if they hate men so much now that they've fled there that kinda makes for decent mythology. And ultimately that's what this is – a well-formed (and informed) spread of mythological bites, making a suitable and colourful whole.
May 9, 2025
✨️🧜♀️🧜♂️ I received a copy of this eARC for free in exchange for an honest review. ✨️🧜♂️🧜♀️
How To Spot A Mermaid is a field guide with tons of cool and interesting information about what goes on beneath the waves. From reefs and ponds to corals to fish, sea animals, and plants—this book was a plethora of fun.
The cover and the title drew me to this. I'm a big fan of mermaids and folklore surrounding them, and I was pleasantly surprised by all the little details that went into this that captured interest and intrigued readers. It's the little details like what mermaid's use for medicine, what they like to eat, what they use for clothing, decorations, etc. It really makes fantasy seem like reality, or if you're a believer, it makes it seem that much more believable.
The amount of realistic information woven with fantasy in this is truly amazing. I never would have thought there were so many different types of mermaids, and this goes into great detail about them all, and I love that there is an illustration for every single mermaid mentioned. The illustrations were cute, and the details that went into each type of mermaids were spectacular! No two mermaids looked alike!
At the end of the book, there is a section of activities and quizzes—like finding out what kind of mermaid you would be, recipes, other cool stuff!
How To Spot A Mermaid is a field guide with tons of cool and interesting information about what goes on beneath the waves. From reefs and ponds to corals to fish, sea animals, and plants—this book was a plethora of fun.
The cover and the title drew me to this. I'm a big fan of mermaids and folklore surrounding them, and I was pleasantly surprised by all the little details that went into this that captured interest and intrigued readers. It's the little details like what mermaid's use for medicine, what they like to eat, what they use for clothing, decorations, etc. It really makes fantasy seem like reality, or if you're a believer, it makes it seem that much more believable.
The amount of realistic information woven with fantasy in this is truly amazing. I never would have thought there were so many different types of mermaids, and this goes into great detail about them all, and I love that there is an illustration for every single mermaid mentioned. The illustrations were cute, and the details that went into each type of mermaids were spectacular! No two mermaids looked alike!
At the end of the book, there is a section of activities and quizzes—like finding out what kind of mermaid you would be, recipes, other cool stuff!
June 12, 2025
“How to spot a Mermaid” is an extremeeeeeeeeely adorable graphic novel for children, teens and adults alike!
The drawings are already super beautiful! There are some very pretty page in the graphic which will delight the eyes of all those who believe in mermaids! We're plunged into an aquatic atmosphere.
As for the content, I was pleasantly surprised. It's easy to find inspiration in this graphic. I discovered a lot of mermaids and other creatures from folklore that I didn't even know existed (even though I love mermaids!). Clearly, even as a grown-up (being almost 25 is like being a teenager, isn't it?), I liked the soft side and educational side, because once again, you really discover things with a touch of humor. For children, I think it's a bit complicated if you want to discover the graphic in one go, so I'd rather read it from time to time, one mermaid at a time, to imagine being at her side.
In short, I loved it!
Long live mermaids!
Thank you Netgalley and to the authors who enabled me to discover this fabulous title, which I'm very keen to put on my bookshelf.
The drawings are already super beautiful! There are some very pretty page in the graphic which will delight the eyes of all those who believe in mermaids! We're plunged into an aquatic atmosphere.
As for the content, I was pleasantly surprised. It's easy to find inspiration in this graphic. I discovered a lot of mermaids and other creatures from folklore that I didn't even know existed (even though I love mermaids!). Clearly, even as a grown-up (being almost 25 is like being a teenager, isn't it?), I liked the soft side and educational side, because once again, you really discover things with a touch of humor. For children, I think it's a bit complicated if you want to discover the graphic in one go, so I'd rather read it from time to time, one mermaid at a time, to imagine being at her side.
In short, I loved it!
Long live mermaids!
Thank you Netgalley and to the authors who enabled me to discover this fabulous title, which I'm very keen to put on my bookshelf.
June 12, 2025
How to Spot a Mermaid is a whimsical treasure chest of myth, magic, and imagination that builds beautifully on the charm of its predecessor. With vibrant illustrations and lyrical writing, this enchanting field guide dives deep into global mermaid lore, blending folklore with creativity in a way that feels both educational and spellbinding. From frosties to sirens, each sea-dwelling creature is brought to life with rich detail and wonder. The interactive quizzes and crafts add an extra layer of fun, making this more than just a book; it’s an immersive experience that invites readers of all ages to believe in the magic beneath the waves.
August 4, 2025
I read this aloud to my mermaid obsessed 9yo daughter. I thought she would adore it, but honestly, it was a little dry. It is definitely field guide-ish, but with too little illustration. The writing was a bit dull. Even I tuned out a few times as an adult. Every mermaid has a list of likes and dislikes, diet choices, and fave music genre. Many of them seemed just reimagined sea animals as mermaids, rather than anything new and exciting. It lacked the immersive feel that you need to make a fantastical guide draw you truly in.
Overall, I see the vision, but don't think it was rounded out effectively.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley.
Overall, I see the vision, but don't think it was rounded out effectively.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley.
December 5, 2025
I really enjoy this weird place of fake history/science. When I read the magical beasts Harry Potter companion type book I got similar feelings of whimsical joy learning about the different creatures. The art was also excellent. I know it’s targeted for kids but I do with it were a tiny bit longer/more in depth. Still amazing!
November 14, 2025
As a big fan of mermaids and folklore, I was excited to dive into How to Spot a Mermaid. The book has a lot going for it—jaw-droppingly gorgeous illustrations by Lilla Bolecz and a mix of interactive activities like quizzes and ocean-themed crafts that are perfect for young readers who love pretend play. However, the book’s purpose and audience felt unclear.
At times, it reads like a whimsical guide for imaginative kids—complete with “What’s Your Mermaid Personality?” quizzes and ocean potion recipes. At other times, it offers introductions to mythological sea beings like Yemayas, Rusalka, Mami Wata, Ningyo, Morgen, and Sirens. Unfortunately, these two aspects don’t blend well. As someone who loves folklore, I had hoped for more grounded context on where these legends come from. Instead, the book often blurred the line between history and invention in a way that made everything—including a subtle message about real-world ocean conservation at the start of the book—feel less believable. I wanted to feel like mermaids were real; instead, I was left unsure what in the book was.
Thank you to NetGalley, Running Press | Running Press Kids for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
How to Spot a Mermaid, A Field Guide to Magical Sea People will be published June 17, 2025.
At times, it reads like a whimsical guide for imaginative kids—complete with “What’s Your Mermaid Personality?” quizzes and ocean potion recipes. At other times, it offers introductions to mythological sea beings like Yemayas, Rusalka, Mami Wata, Ningyo, Morgen, and Sirens. Unfortunately, these two aspects don’t blend well. As someone who loves folklore, I had hoped for more grounded context on where these legends come from. Instead, the book often blurred the line between history and invention in a way that made everything—including a subtle message about real-world ocean conservation at the start of the book—feel less believable. I wanted to feel like mermaids were real; instead, I was left unsure what in the book was.
Thank you to NetGalley, Running Press | Running Press Kids for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
How to Spot a Mermaid, A Field Guide to Magical Sea People will be published June 17, 2025.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews