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Meet a brave little mermaid searching for a very special treasure in this heart-warming celebration of friendship, creativity and digging deep for determination!
Meet Oona.
She’s a little mermaid who loves special treasure and big adventures – and often ends up in big trouble!
But with her best friend Otto by her side, Oona is on the hunt for the grandest treasure of all – and she’s about to find out it’s not what she thought it was…
A wonderfully watery tale of friendship, creativity and digging deep for determination, Oona is about to be your new best friend! From the New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio.
Meet Oona.
She’s a little mermaid who loves special treasure and big adventures – and often ends up in big trouble!
But with her best friend Otto by her side, Oona is on the hunt for the grandest treasure of all – and she’s about to find out it’s not what she thought it was…
A wonderfully watery tale of friendship, creativity and digging deep for determination, Oona is about to be your new best friend! From the New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio.
Audible Audio
First published January 12, 2021
13 people are currently reading
758 people want to read
About the author
Kelly DiPucchio
61 books263 followersKelly is the award-winning author of several children’s books, thousands of To-Do lists, and a few recipe cards. Two of her books, Grace For President and The Sandwich Swap, were New York Times bestsellers.
Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.
Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.
Like most kids who grew up in the 1970’s, Kelly had a pet goat and bought all her clothes from the Sears catalog. Like most teenagers who grew up in the 1980’s, Kelly had really big glasses and feathered hair.
Today, Kelly lives with her husband and three children in southeastern Michigan, where she enjoys writing just about everything except her own bio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
January 19, 2021
Dear 2021,
More Black mermaids in picture books please!
-Management
More Black mermaids in picture books please!
-Management
January 26, 2021
I adore Oona - Black mermaids for the win! Stunningly gorgeous illustrations - Raissa Figueroa is one to watch! The story itself was a bit curious - it's about perseverance & bravery & what treasures really have value, yet it didn't feel like the reason for needing courage to face the unknown or why she was seeking treasure and needed to keep at it were clear early in the story making the resolution of them a bit less rewarding.
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February 23, 2022What a great book for growth mindset! Oona is an adorable mermaid with a cute otter pup pet and she has a problem that takes some perseverance to solve. Such a wonderful picture book, great for elementary classrooms. The illustrations are amazing and there are so many curricular possibilities with STEAM or just as a quick picture book read-aloud on growth mindset for gifted or upper grades. Readers may also enjoy "The Magical Yet" by Angela DiTerlizzi, "What Do You Do with a Problem?" by Kobi Yamada, or "Flight School" by Lita Judge. Enjoy! - Alexis S.
January 14, 2021
Absolutely beautiful illustrations. The textures are just lovely. Water reflections are depth are just brilliantly shown. And the detail!
The story is a bit... awkwardly paced/told? The message is perfect! I was presently surprised at the ending! But the lead up could have been a bit better.
The story is a bit... awkwardly paced/told? The message is perfect! I was presently surprised at the ending! But the lead up could have been a bit better.
September 13, 2021
Oona the mermaid was a born adventurer, embroiled in danger from the time she was no bigger than a scallop. Together with her best friend Otto the otter, she scoured the ocean for treasure, always happy to seek after the beautiful and the wondrous. Only one one treasure eluded her: the crown embedded in a reef, far below the surface of the sea. After many failed attempts to secure this much-coveted prize, Oona became discouraged, until a seaside day with her land friends gave her some inspiration, and she was at it again...
Pairing an engaging, well-told tale from author Kelly DiPucchio with beautiful artwork from illustrator Raissa Figueroa, Oona is an immensely appealing picture-book, sure to please young readers and listeners who enjoy magical tales, or who love mermaids. There were moments here where I chuckled - the statement that a mermaid without her spark was like a seagull without an appetite: both unnatural - and other moments where I stopped to admire the artwork. I particularly liked the scene where Oona and Otto were wearing the glasses they found, and I thought Otto himself was a charming sidekick. It probably helps that I love otters! As some other reviewers have noted, it was also nice to have a black mermaid, as I don't think I've encountered too many before, in the world of picture-books. I finished this one with a happy feeling, appreciating the final idea about what makes something a treasure - - and am very glad to know that a sequel, Oona and the Shark , is forthcoming. Recommended to young mermaid fans, and to picture-book readers looking for stories about perseverance.
Pairing an engaging, well-told tale from author Kelly DiPucchio with beautiful artwork from illustrator Raissa Figueroa, Oona is an immensely appealing picture-book, sure to please young readers and listeners who enjoy magical tales, or who love mermaids. There were moments here where I chuckled - the statement that a mermaid without her spark was like a seagull without an appetite: both unnatural - and other moments where I stopped to admire the artwork. I particularly liked the scene where Oona and Otto were wearing the glasses they found, and I thought Otto himself was a charming sidekick. It probably helps that I love otters! As some other reviewers have noted, it was also nice to have a black mermaid, as I don't think I've encountered too many before, in the world of picture-books. I finished this one with a happy feeling, appreciating the final idea about what makes something a treasure - - and am very glad to know that a sequel, Oona and the Shark , is forthcoming. Recommended to young mermaid fans, and to picture-book readers looking for stories about perseverance.
February 1, 2021
This book is absolutely beautiful. I don't think it's DiPucchio's strongest writing, though. There was too much story that was neither in the words nor in the pictures. I had to fill in a lot of gaps, more than I'd want to deal with to ever use this as a read-aloud.
January 12, 2021
Oona is a mermaid who is brave. She searches for treasures with her otter friend Otto. The treasure she seeks is stuck, and she tries again and again to free it from it's location in the murky sea rift.
I love the watercolor illustrations that accompany this story. When Oona is stuck, the colors dim. When Oona has an idea, the colors are vivid. The message is simple yet smart.
I love the watercolor illustrations that accompany this story. When Oona is stuck, the colors dim. When Oona has an idea, the colors are vivid. The message is simple yet smart.
February 19, 2021
I agree with previous reviewers - the illustrations absolutely carry this story. That being said, there's nothing wrong with the plotline, I've certainly seen *less* from children's books that were published and DIDN'T have the advantage of amazing artwork and much needed diversity being represented. What I would have liked to have seen is the story actually paired down a little more. This was a lot of words when the illustrations do so much for the story already.
Still, get this book, because kids will want to make their own stories with these pictures.
Still, get this book, because kids will want to make their own stories with these pictures.
January 18, 2021
Great illustration. Storyline lacked direction. Can't recommend this one.
August 29, 2021
This is SOOOOO cute! I love the curly hair and how it got some seaweed tangled!!
October 22, 2020
Delightful illustrations; story awkward in places. Cute "hidden jokes" on pages.
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February 17, 2021Lovely artwork, but a clunky and bland story. How I wish this had been wordless instead!
February 23, 2021
Felt like the story wasn't very clear. But the illustrations are gorgeous. The kids loved the baby sea turtle.
June 9, 2021
This is a delightful mermaid story that shows that money truly isn't everything.
May 5, 2021
Gorgeous illustrations! Lackluster story, and not simply lackluster--illogical. The core of the story seeks, I think, to show us the undersea world of this black girl mermaid, which to its credit it achieves. However, if you longed, as I did, for any reasonable explanations as to why or how this character gets up to what she gets up to, don't count on it. Even armed with Doctor Who logic, this story simply does not hold water.
August 27, 2021
3.5 stars, this was nice and cute - but I thought the art was gorgeous!
April 19, 2021
The illustrations are really wonderful, but the story was all over the place. I'm not sure I fully followed all of the action, so it didn't hit at all. Even looking at the pictures, I don't quite get how everything was supposed to work together. There were too many odd threads and non-sequiturs. I'll definitely put it on displays and in a future mermaid book bundle, but I don't think I'd read it for story time.
May 22, 2021
Oona is an adorable story of a little mermaid who often gets herself into trouble. She is a curious and adventurous and beats to her own drum.
Her and her best friend, Otto, spend their days going on treasure hunts and one day she sees the ultimate treasure, a beautiful crown. She tries so hard to get the crown but nothing works and she gives up. While being sad, a long shell washes up on shore and it is just what she needs to get that crown.
This story is a great example of determination and never giving up. Oona was discouraged but never gave up on her dream of the crown. The illustrations were very detailed and sweet. The author does a great job of keeping the book engaging and fun. The character Oona is beautiful and I think all children will enjoy this book. I found this book on the Goodreads fantasy list and I watched it on YouTube.
Her and her best friend, Otto, spend their days going on treasure hunts and one day she sees the ultimate treasure, a beautiful crown. She tries so hard to get the crown but nothing works and she gives up. While being sad, a long shell washes up on shore and it is just what she needs to get that crown.
This story is a great example of determination and never giving up. Oona was discouraged but never gave up on her dream of the crown. The illustrations were very detailed and sweet. The author does a great job of keeping the book engaging and fun. The character Oona is beautiful and I think all children will enjoy this book. I found this book on the Goodreads fantasy list and I watched it on YouTube.
February 8, 2021
The illustrations are better than the story.
Let me explain.
You have a Black mermaid (with absolutely GLORIOUS hair) and the cutest otter sidekick. I was obsessed. I want an otter. And together the two of them go on adventures---kind of think Ariel and Flounder from The Little Mermaid (just way more diverse). And it also promotes ingenuity and finding solutions!
But the text is meh. I wasn't wild about it; it was lackluster. So thumb through the book and marvel at Oona and Otto....and then you can leave it there.
Let me explain.
You have a Black mermaid (with absolutely GLORIOUS hair) and the cutest otter sidekick. I was obsessed. I want an otter. And together the two of them go on adventures---kind of think Ariel and Flounder from The Little Mermaid (just way more diverse). And it also promotes ingenuity and finding solutions!
But the text is meh. I wasn't wild about it; it was lackluster. So thumb through the book and marvel at Oona and Otto....and then you can leave it there.
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July 6, 2024So cute! A young mermaid and her sea otter best friend are treasure hunters. They are used to taking risks and getting into trouble, but after a particularly challenging hunt for a beautiful crown, Oona wants to give up. But with a little bit of ingenuity and creativity she is finally able to get where she wants to go to get that treasure. The artwork is so beautiful and the characters are very charming.
August 18, 2021
Oona is a mermaid who loves to retrieve items from the ocean. She and her otter friend, Otto, find lots of treasures, but an elusive tiara way deep down proves a deep challenge. She and Otto will try anything, but then a unique invention shows that sometimes an invention is greater than the treasure.
The beautiful pastel artwork is stellar, showcasing a #OwnVoices Illustrator.
The beautiful pastel artwork is stellar, showcasing a #OwnVoices Illustrator.
March 25, 2021
Oona the mermaid and her best friend Otto the otter travel under the sea in search of treasures.
December 1, 2025
Oona is written by Kelly DiPucchio and illustrated by Raissa Figueroa and was published in 2021. Recognition for Oona includes a Young Hoosier Book Award nomination, as well as positive recommendations from School Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews. Additionally, the author and illustrator are both accomplished creators themselves, with Kelly DiPucchio being a New York Times Bestselling Author, and Raissa Figueroa being a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner.
I found Oona through an article titled “Children’s Fantasy Books Featuring Black Protagonists,” which celebrated Oona for its inclusion of the main character as a Black mermaid, published in 2022 by Renaissance, whose mission is to “accelerate learning for all children and adults of all ability levels and ethnic and social backgrounds worldwide.” I was able to listen to and view Oona through a read-aloud by Storytime with K on YouTube.
Since Oona was a baby, she has searched for treasure, which sometimes puts her in dangerous situations. Oona has relied on the help of Otto, an otter that she rescued, to help her get out of the difficult situations that searching for treasure has brought her into. Through their adventures, Oona and Otto have discovered a variety of treasures, including coins, buttons, bottles, and glasses. But the treasure that Oona wanted the most, and was unable to reach, was the crown. To reach the tempting crown, Oona must devise multiple plans and overcome a variety of underwater challenges. In addition to the valuable representation of the main character, Oona, the picture book as a whole is of high quality, as it shares several important themes with young readers, including curiosity, perseverance, and teamwork.
The illustration in this picture book is particularly impactful, as it focuses on the main character, including her dark brown skin and large, free afro, which celebrates her natural Black hair and overall Black identity. It is particularly impactful that the illustrator depicted Oona as Black because there are currently, unfortunately, few instances of Black representation in fantasy books, and even fewer within fantasy picture books. Raissa Figueroa employs a range of ocean hues to depict the stunning underwater scenes throughout the book. In addition to Oona and Otto, Figueroa features a diverse range of sea creatures throughout the story, including whales, turtles, fish, crabs, and sharks. To further convey the danger and hope of the underwater setting, Figueroa masterfully uses light to depict the slowing surface, where sunlight filters through the water, while deeper areas remain shadowy and mysterious.
I would recommend this book for readers in Pre-K through 2nd grade or educators. Specifically, this book lends itself well to a lesson on problem and solution. After reading the book aloud to students, I would discuss the problems or challenges that Oona encounters throughout the story and how she responds, as well as the ideas she comes up with to solve them. After discussing how Oona overcomes problems in the story, it would also be beneficial to make an SEL connection and have students reflect on a time when they encountered a problem in their own lives, consider who might be able to help them along the way, and come up with a solution.
I found Oona through an article titled “Children’s Fantasy Books Featuring Black Protagonists,” which celebrated Oona for its inclusion of the main character as a Black mermaid, published in 2022 by Renaissance, whose mission is to “accelerate learning for all children and adults of all ability levels and ethnic and social backgrounds worldwide.” I was able to listen to and view Oona through a read-aloud by Storytime with K on YouTube.
Since Oona was a baby, she has searched for treasure, which sometimes puts her in dangerous situations. Oona has relied on the help of Otto, an otter that she rescued, to help her get out of the difficult situations that searching for treasure has brought her into. Through their adventures, Oona and Otto have discovered a variety of treasures, including coins, buttons, bottles, and glasses. But the treasure that Oona wanted the most, and was unable to reach, was the crown. To reach the tempting crown, Oona must devise multiple plans and overcome a variety of underwater challenges. In addition to the valuable representation of the main character, Oona, the picture book as a whole is of high quality, as it shares several important themes with young readers, including curiosity, perseverance, and teamwork.
The illustration in this picture book is particularly impactful, as it focuses on the main character, including her dark brown skin and large, free afro, which celebrates her natural Black hair and overall Black identity. It is particularly impactful that the illustrator depicted Oona as Black because there are currently, unfortunately, few instances of Black representation in fantasy books, and even fewer within fantasy picture books. Raissa Figueroa employs a range of ocean hues to depict the stunning underwater scenes throughout the book. In addition to Oona and Otto, Figueroa features a diverse range of sea creatures throughout the story, including whales, turtles, fish, crabs, and sharks. To further convey the danger and hope of the underwater setting, Figueroa masterfully uses light to depict the slowing surface, where sunlight filters through the water, while deeper areas remain shadowy and mysterious.
I would recommend this book for readers in Pre-K through 2nd grade or educators. Specifically, this book lends itself well to a lesson on problem and solution. After reading the book aloud to students, I would discuss the problems or challenges that Oona encounters throughout the story and how she responds, as well as the ideas she comes up with to solve them. After discussing how Oona overcomes problems in the story, it would also be beneficial to make an SEL connection and have students reflect on a time when they encountered a problem in their own lives, consider who might be able to help them along the way, and come up with a solution.
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March 3, 2021I love the joyous illustrations of an African American mermaid with a huge flowing afro in this cute mermaid book. It's worth purchase for that alone - more Black mermaids, please! The story is cute enough, about a plucky young mermaid who collects shiny things and desperately wants a fallen tiara that's sunk down into the bottom of a scary ravine. There's a bit of creative problem solving involved. Hand this one to young mermaid fans, particularly fans of Jerry Pinkney's recent adaptation of The Little Mermaid (which also stars a Black mermaid).
March 19, 2022
A beautifully illustrated picture book about a bold and adventurous little mermaid who likes to hunt for treasure with her pet, Otto, a young otter. She gets discouraged trying to dislodge a crown so she needs to do some problem solving. There really isn't much of a plot, but the setting is terrific and Oona and Otto are great characters. More Oona, please.
October 29, 2021
This book is delightful! Oona and Otto are a perfect pair. Treasure hunting with them is quite the adventure. The illustrations are bold and saturated with deep purples and blues.
Story: 4****
Illustrations: 5*****
Overall: 5*****
Story: 4****
Illustrations: 5*****
Overall: 5*****
November 2, 2021
The artwork is fantastic, the story is...not great. I mean, it's fine, just fine, but the plot doesn't flow like the author seemed to be aiming for. Anyway, it might still make for a nice present, because again, the artwork is beautiful.
February 24, 2021
There is a true sweetness about this character and story that has captured my heart. Oona is curious, adorable, and has the best head of hair since Ariel. Fantastic!
September 19, 2021
La historia de una linda sirenita buscando tesoros con sus amigos. Linda, divertida y una arte muy colorido.
April 25, 2022
We weren't so into the plot, but I loved the illustrations and Oona's beautiful hair.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews