Mermaids of Prince Edward Island

by Allison Wolvers

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Little Batties · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mermaids of Prince Edward Island swims into your heart like a siren's call from the sea.

Alison Wolvers' children's book has creative stories that are coupled with breathtaking artwork that it sure to draw in readers of all ages. Each story and character leaves you wanting and seeing more, but we're only given a taste of the full picture. It is the kind of tease you won't actually hate, as it allows you to fill in the blanks and let your thoughts wonder to what else might be lurking under the waters of Prince Edward Island.

The only thing I wish was different about this book was that it held a tale or two from actual mermaid tales that might be housed around the island. It would've breathed even more life and wonder into the stories here.

The author has truly crafted a beautiful pearl for the imagination with these stories, and I hope to see more from this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for giving me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[ATLANTIC BOOK REVIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of our most anticipated book of 2025 just happens to be our first review of 2026.
MERMAIDS OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND by Allison Wolvers and published by The Acorn Press Prince Edward Island Tourism
This reviewer has visited PEI many, MANY times over the years and always feel how magical a place it is. Now, with this beautiful book, we can re-visit the places written about in search of the mermaids that live just below the waves. THERE IS A MAP! I love a map at the beginning of a book.
"Did you hear that? Was it the effervescent fizz of a sea foam? The chattering of pebbles being tumbled by the ocean? Or was it something-or someone-else". What I thought might have been the ordinary sounds of the ocean, I will now pay closer attention to for the magic those sounds might alert me to.
This a family book. A book to pored over when planning a trip to Prince Edward Island. Young and old alike will want to see if they can catch a glimpse of those mermaids written about in the pages of this book.
Fourteen stories. Fourteen illustrations. Stories gathered from one end of the island to the other. Each one page story is carefully crafted by the author. It is no mean feat to tell the perfect story in so few words, but here that is indeed the case. The art nouveau inspired illustrations are full of detail and spark a sense of wonder. Illustrations perfectly match the story.
Discover that mermaids and humans, despite the obvious differences, have much in common. Loyalty, adventure, family and fun to name a few.
The author's love of her home is obvious. She has paid attention to detail in both text and illustration. She has imagined the unseen world of mermaids who live below the waves that rush into the red sand shores. The author has also managed to incorporate some of the history of Prince Edward Island.
It is wonderful when an anticipated book lives up to everything it was expected to be.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was so much potential in this book, but it just fell flat. I feel bad since the author is new and she is definitely trying. But ultimately, there isn't much here beyond some pretty digital artwork. And yes, the artwork is quite nice, but even that isn't enough for me to give a higher rating. With a family history that is tied to PEI, I am familiar with a lot of the beaches featured in the book. I kept hoping that the stories would be more linked to the beaches or PEI in some way because I felt like that would have pulled them up and made this book more relevant and stronger overall. But in the end, each beach was a minor figure in a series of disjointed stories about mermaids. And even there, the mermaid stories were a bit madly off in all directions. Sometimes there was a point to them or a story; and other times it was just a description of a mermaid kind of.

I don't even know what audience to suggest because this wouldn't even make a good coffee table book.

I feel like the author had to just work a little harder to clean up the text and to tighten it. Either give us a story about mermaids that is tied to PEI lore and the beaches or don't. But the way it's presented now is not working because it's not about PEI, it's not about the beaches of PEI, and it's not really about the mermaids either. I honestly felt like this book could have just been the author talking about anything and nothing at the same time. Overall, disappointed. I gave it a 2 start because this was a first foray and I didn't want to be too cruel to someone who is courageous enough to put their work in the public eye. And the artwork was decent enough too.

* I received an ARC via NetGalley

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book that looks good, but offers a mere fourteen little fictions, almost anecdotal pieces, concerning mermaids. Here we have to believe mermaids just throw mobile phones into the sea, and are called Godfrey. Either way, we see them have market day, loll about and meet human-owned dogs, prepare a fete, and skedaddle when the police turn up. Perhaps the last one is the best, as sea glass becomes something to share. But the writing is generally lacking in narrative, and for all the design work spent on making the mermaids and mermen distinctive, the art is not the best either. I'm guessing residents of PEI might appreciate it more than the rest of us, but I can't really see much purpose for this, or define an audience. I think three stars would be too generous, so two and a half it is.

[BreReadsRealms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Nimbus Publishing -  Acorn Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This book was such a delightful surprise!

Each mermaid is connected to different spots on Prince Edward Island and every page has a short, imaginative story that gives personality. I loved how each distinct character felt despite the brief format. It creates a sense of magic layered over real places!

The artwork is absolutely stunning. The illustrations are vibrant, detailed and whimsical in a way that truly brings the island and its mermaids to life! Its the kind of book that you linger over the pages rather than rush through.

I think this would be especially wonderful for advanced elementary readers or adolescents who enjoy folklore and imaginative storytelling. 

[Reading_seas0n · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Nimbus Publishing | Acorn Press and NetGalley for allowing me early access and the chance to honestly review this book!

This was utterly charming!

I visit PEI every summer because after seeing it for the first time the place like home away from home, so when I saw this book I really wanted to read.
This did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations: we had amazing artwork and 1 page stories that really add personality and a new sense of wonder to each beach/cove area of PEI. I think kids would love this book and have fun imagining more tales from each mermaid attached to each place. Also I think it adds a little more wonder for adults who live or visit the island too.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for the illustrations alone. The stories are fine. I think my biggest disappointment was I was expecting an Anne of Green Gables mermaid story (I mean she put a redhead on the cover!).

Thank you to NetGalley for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.