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The Mermaid's Purse
Based on the life of beloved author-illustrator Patricia Polacco’s own amazing grandmother, this wonderful celebration of reading and community is as exhilarating as it is heartwarming.
Young Stella loves books so much, her books begin to take over the farmhouse. “Why, Stell, you need your own library to hold those books,” her pa tells her, so he and the neighbors build her one! She calls it “the Mermaid’s Purse,” since the midwife said Stella was born in one. Stella opens the Purse to her neighbors and travels around the countryside, sharing her books door-to-door. Not everyone gives them a chance at first, like grouchy Pig Ears Lonsberry. But farmer Dunkle sure changes his mind when information in a book saves his sick sheep. Eventually, everybody comes to love the Mermaid’s Purse—so when a tornado destroys it, scattering Stella’s precious books far and wide, the whole community rallies to help.
Young Stella loves books so much, her books begin to take over the farmhouse. “Why, Stell, you need your own library to hold those books,” her pa tells her, so he and the neighbors build her one! She calls it “the Mermaid’s Purse,” since the midwife said Stella was born in one. Stella opens the Purse to her neighbors and travels around the countryside, sharing her books door-to-door. Not everyone gives them a chance at first, like grouchy Pig Ears Lonsberry. But farmer Dunkle sure changes his mind when information in a book saves his sick sheep. Eventually, everybody comes to love the Mermaid’s Purse—so when a tornado destroys it, scattering Stella’s precious books far and wide, the whole community rallies to help.
42 pages, Hardcover
First published October 4, 2016
3 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Polacco
96 books1,067 followersPatricia Polacco is a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator with around seventy beloved and award-winning books to her credit, including The Keeping Quilt, Pink and Say, The Blessing Cup, Chicken Sunday, and Thank You, Mr. Falker. She resides in Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
November 19, 2016
4 1/2 stars
I wasn’t familiar with the term mermaid’s purse and was afraid this would be one of Polacco’s folk tale books for young children, and I tend not to like them as much as her emotionally moving picture books for older children. This turned out to be one of the latter. Recommended for 8 and up, and for some ages 5-7 for read aloud.
It’s a story about books and I always appreciate those, and a story based on her own grandmother’s experience and I love reading Polacco’s stories about her own life and her family members’ lives. She has such history in Michigan and I can understand what she’s made it her home.
The illustrations are great. I love most of them. I’m particularly fond of the cover illustration, a picture that also appears inside the book as part of the story. Some of the other pictures are even more creative though, and in a style almost like Chagall for a few. Wonderful detail to the illustrations! Also, the last page has 3 photos of her grandmother and others in different settings.
I love how she dedicated this book (the 66th by her that I’ve read) to her editor of 30 years.
This is a real celebration of books, reading, community, and giving and sharing. Very uplifting! Polacco is lucky to have such a strong sense of family and of place. I so admire how she turns challenges into triumphs.
Highly recommended. Ditto for most Patricia Polacco books. I feel so grateful to have found her and her books. I’ve been happily reading them for the last 7 years. I hope there will be many more. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for any future books.
A note: I think that I’m caught up and that I’ve read every Patricia Polacco book published so far.
A note about my star ratings: I quickly started comparing Patricia Polacco with Patricia Polacco, and that’s not fair. Many of my ratings would likely be one star or two higher if I’d been comparing her books with all other books I’ve read. In particular, some of those 4 star books I should have rated 5 stars. As I made this list I kept wondering what I was thinking, underrating, something I don’t normally do.
in the order I’ve read them, from November 2009 to November 2016 (I hope I haven’t left out any):
1. Mrs. Katz and Tush – 4 stars,
2. Babushka’s Doll – 3 stars,
3. The Keeping Quilt – 5 stars,
4. Thank you Mr. Falker – 5 stars,
5. Picnic at Mudsock Meadow – 2 stars,
6. Ginger and Petunia – 3 stars,
7. For the Love of Autumn – 4 stars,
8. The Trees of the Dancing Goats – 5 stars,
9. The Lemonade Club – 5 stars,
10. My Ol’ man – 3 stars,
11. Oh, Look! – 3 stars,
12. The Graves Family – 4 stars,
13. Emma Kate – 5 stars,
14. G is for Goat – 4 stars,
15. Welcome Comfort – 3 stars,
16. The Bee Tree – 4 stars,
17. Thunder Cake – 4 stars,
18. Pink and Say – 4 stars,
19. Just Plain Fancy – 4 stars,
20. January’s Sparrow – 5 stars,
21. Betty Doll – 5 stars,
22. Chicken Sunday – 5 stars,
23. Some Birthday! – 3 stars,
24. Meteor! – 3 stars,
25. In Our Mothers’ House – 5 stars,
26. Tikvah Means Hope – 5 stars,
27. The Butterfly – 5 stars,
28. Rechenka’s Eggs – 4 stars,
29. Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Afffair – 5 stars,
30. When Lightning Comes in a Jar – 3 stars,
31. Mrs. Mack – 5 stars,
32. Luba and the Wren – 3 stars,
33. Someone for Mr. Sussman – 4 stars,
34. Appelemando’s Dream – 3 stars,
35. Something About Hensley’s – 4 stars,
36. Firetalking – 4 stars,
37. The Grave’s Family Goes Camping – 4 stars,
38. Boat Ride with Lillian Two Blossom – 3 stars,
39. My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother – 3 stars,
40. Uncle Vova’s Tree – 4 stars,
41. Babushka’s Mother Goose – 3 stars,
42. Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare – 3 stars,
43. An Orange for Frankie – 5 stars,
44. In Enzo’s Splendid Gardens – 5 stars,
45. I Can Hear the Sun – 5 stars,
46. John Phillip Duck – 4 stars,
47. Babushka Baba Yaga – 3 stars,
48. Christmas Tapestry – 4 stars,
49. Mr. Lincoln’s Way – 5 stars,
50. Mommies Say Shhh! – 3 stars,
51. The Junkyard Wodners – 5 stars,
52. Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln – 5 stars,
53. Bun Bun Button – 4 stars,
54. The Art of Miss Chew – 5 stars,
55. Bully – 4 stars,
56. The Blessing Cup – 5 stars,
57. Gifts of the Heart – 4 stars,
58. Clara and Davie – 5 stars,
59. Fiona’s Lace – 5 stars,
60. Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece – 4 stars,
61. An A From Miss Keller – 5 stars,
62. Tucky Jo and Little Heart – 4 stars,
63. Because of Thursday – 4 stars,
64. Still Firetalking – 4 stars,
* and this book: 65. The Mermaid’s Purse – 5 stars
I also read, around the time I read Pink and Say, a book she only illustrated:
66. Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888
So 66 books now. A wonderful collection!
I wasn’t familiar with the term mermaid’s purse and was afraid this would be one of Polacco’s folk tale books for young children, and I tend not to like them as much as her emotionally moving picture books for older children. This turned out to be one of the latter. Recommended for 8 and up, and for some ages 5-7 for read aloud.
It’s a story about books and I always appreciate those, and a story based on her own grandmother’s experience and I love reading Polacco’s stories about her own life and her family members’ lives. She has such history in Michigan and I can understand what she’s made it her home.
The illustrations are great. I love most of them. I’m particularly fond of the cover illustration, a picture that also appears inside the book as part of the story. Some of the other pictures are even more creative though, and in a style almost like Chagall for a few. Wonderful detail to the illustrations! Also, the last page has 3 photos of her grandmother and others in different settings.
I love how she dedicated this book (the 66th by her that I’ve read) to her editor of 30 years.
This is a real celebration of books, reading, community, and giving and sharing. Very uplifting! Polacco is lucky to have such a strong sense of family and of place. I so admire how she turns challenges into triumphs.
Highly recommended. Ditto for most Patricia Polacco books. I feel so grateful to have found her and her books. I’ve been happily reading them for the last 7 years. I hope there will be many more. I’ll definitely keep an eye out for any future books.
A note: I think that I’m caught up and that I’ve read every Patricia Polacco book published so far.
A note about my star ratings: I quickly started comparing Patricia Polacco with Patricia Polacco, and that’s not fair. Many of my ratings would likely be one star or two higher if I’d been comparing her books with all other books I’ve read. In particular, some of those 4 star books I should have rated 5 stars. As I made this list I kept wondering what I was thinking, underrating, something I don’t normally do.
in the order I’ve read them, from November 2009 to November 2016 (I hope I haven’t left out any):
1. Mrs. Katz and Tush – 4 stars,
2. Babushka’s Doll – 3 stars,
3. The Keeping Quilt – 5 stars,
4. Thank you Mr. Falker – 5 stars,
5. Picnic at Mudsock Meadow – 2 stars,
6. Ginger and Petunia – 3 stars,
7. For the Love of Autumn – 4 stars,
8. The Trees of the Dancing Goats – 5 stars,
9. The Lemonade Club – 5 stars,
10. My Ol’ man – 3 stars,
11. Oh, Look! – 3 stars,
12. The Graves Family – 4 stars,
13. Emma Kate – 5 stars,
14. G is for Goat – 4 stars,
15. Welcome Comfort – 3 stars,
16. The Bee Tree – 4 stars,
17. Thunder Cake – 4 stars,
18. Pink and Say – 4 stars,
19. Just Plain Fancy – 4 stars,
20. January’s Sparrow – 5 stars,
21. Betty Doll – 5 stars,
22. Chicken Sunday – 5 stars,
23. Some Birthday! – 3 stars,
24. Meteor! – 3 stars,
25. In Our Mothers’ House – 5 stars,
26. Tikvah Means Hope – 5 stars,
27. The Butterfly – 5 stars,
28. Rechenka’s Eggs – 4 stars,
29. Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Afffair – 5 stars,
30. When Lightning Comes in a Jar – 3 stars,
31. Mrs. Mack – 5 stars,
32. Luba and the Wren – 3 stars,
33. Someone for Mr. Sussman – 4 stars,
34. Appelemando’s Dream – 3 stars,
35. Something About Hensley’s – 4 stars,
36. Firetalking – 4 stars,
37. The Grave’s Family Goes Camping – 4 stars,
38. Boat Ride with Lillian Two Blossom – 3 stars,
39. My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother – 3 stars,
40. Uncle Vova’s Tree – 4 stars,
41. Babushka’s Mother Goose – 3 stars,
42. Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare – 3 stars,
43. An Orange for Frankie – 5 stars,
44. In Enzo’s Splendid Gardens – 5 stars,
45. I Can Hear the Sun – 5 stars,
46. John Phillip Duck – 4 stars,
47. Babushka Baba Yaga – 3 stars,
48. Christmas Tapestry – 4 stars,
49. Mr. Lincoln’s Way – 5 stars,
50. Mommies Say Shhh! – 3 stars,
51. The Junkyard Wodners – 5 stars,
52. Just in Time, Abraham Lincoln – 5 stars,
53. Bun Bun Button – 4 stars,
54. The Art of Miss Chew – 5 stars,
55. Bully – 4 stars,
56. The Blessing Cup – 5 stars,
57. Gifts of the Heart – 4 stars,
58. Clara and Davie – 5 stars,
59. Fiona’s Lace – 5 stars,
60. Mr. Wayne’s Masterpiece – 4 stars,
61. An A From Miss Keller – 5 stars,
62. Tucky Jo and Little Heart – 4 stars,
63. Because of Thursday – 4 stars,
64. Still Firetalking – 4 stars,
* and this book: 65. The Mermaid’s Purse – 5 stars
I also read, around the time I read Pink and Say, a book she only illustrated:
66. Casey at the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888
So 66 books now. A wonderful collection!
July 17, 2016
A girl determined to share her love of books in a small Michigan town. Is it any surprise that I adore this book?
October 12, 2016
Patricia Polacco's story about her grandmother Estella Barber's love of books from a tender age AND her adventure with her yet-to-be husband, is just plain heartwarming. Beginning with resuscitating Fred back to life after he nearly drowning as a youngster, years later led to a happy lifelong marriage to this friend from her childhood, "Moon-eyes Fred." As a young girl, she started a library with the help of her father, who built her the structure to house her books. Sometime thereafter Estella predicted a storm in the air, she was right, a ferocious storm collapsed her wondrous library called the Mermaid's Purse. The loving resurrection of the "Mermaid's Purse" occurred because of the support of her neighbors, who returned the many books she had loaned them, enough to continue her lending library. This is a wondrous story that rings true to the spirit of librarians who all know the worth of a library to its community! A must buy!
August 13, 2017
I love this historical fiction (based on a real person) story about a young girl who loves books and spreads that love throughout her community in spite of resistance. Great story for teaching resilience in the face of setbacks. Beautiful work.
March 3, 2020
Prolific picture-book author and artist Patricia Polacco once again draws upon her rich family history in this lovely title, setting out the story of her grandmother Estella. Born during a storm, in a "mermaid's purse" - a folk term for an intact birth membrane - Stella loves stories, and eventually books. She collects so many that her father builds her a little free-standing library on their farm, which she christens the "Mermaid's Purse." Sharing her books and knowledge with her neighbors, Stella becomes a popular figure, and her kindness is repaid when a tornado destroys the library, and she receives help in rebuilding and collecting her dispersed volumes...
As both a bibliophile and a storm lover - not to mention a Patricia Polacco fan! - I greatly enjoyed The Mermaid's Purse, both for its themes and for its storytelling. As is so often the case with this author/artist, there were moments where I was tearing up. I appreciated the idea of books and reading as being both imaginative and practical, as Stella entertains the local children with stories, but also helps stricken sheep and drowning boys with the knowledge she has gained from her tomes. I also greatly appreciated the inclusion of a brief author's afterword about the Estella, complete with photographs of her. Recommended to all young book and library-lovers, and to fellow Polacco fans.
As both a bibliophile and a storm lover - not to mention a Patricia Polacco fan! - I greatly enjoyed The Mermaid's Purse, both for its themes and for its storytelling. As is so often the case with this author/artist, there were moments where I was tearing up. I appreciated the idea of books and reading as being both imaginative and practical, as Stella entertains the local children with stories, but also helps stricken sheep and drowning boys with the knowledge she has gained from her tomes. I also greatly appreciated the inclusion of a brief author's afterword about the Estella, complete with photographs of her. Recommended to all young book and library-lovers, and to fellow Polacco fans.
November 19, 2016
How is that Polacco's stories all have happy endings? Is it her talent for crafting narratives for events in her life? Do we all have such events in our life worth writing about? Or was she blessed with a lifetime of interesting events as well as a talent for writing?
September 22, 2016
Patricia Polacco never disappoints! It made me cry, of course...
November 8, 2016
A beautiful story about community and the power books have to bring people together.
April 3, 2019
I really love this book! The story follows the author's grandmother, Estella, a child born with an affinity for storms and who develops an early, deep love for books. She collects books everywhere she can until one day her father builds her a library (with their neighbors' help) to hold her precious collection. She notices that not many of her neighbors seem to understand her love for reading, and makes it her mission to share her books and her love of them with her community.
(Spoiler alert) I particularly connected with this book because in the story, a tornado rips away Estella's library, and with it, all her books. Only last year I lost my entire life's collection of books - all but 4 of well over 500 books were stolen. Estella's books eventually find their way back to her and I still can't even believe that I am never getting even one book back. I'm slowly working to rebuild my collection from scratch, and it will take quite a long time. But this story of Estella's community sharing and growing a love for books and stories gives me hope.
(Spoiler alert) I particularly connected with this book because in the story, a tornado rips away Estella's library, and with it, all her books. Only last year I lost my entire life's collection of books - all but 4 of well over 500 books were stolen. Estella's books eventually find their way back to her and I still can't even believe that I am never getting even one book back. I'm slowly working to rebuild my collection from scratch, and it will take quite a long time. But this story of Estella's community sharing and growing a love for books and stories gives me hope.
December 19, 2020
Because of pandemic curbside pickup, sometimes I just type in a word and borrow every picture book that comes up.
And that’s how we came across this lovely story, while looking for mermaids.
Instead it’s about a girl who loves and collects books and starts her own library. It’s about the power of reading and community.
Plus now every time I buy a book, my excuse can be that I’m looking to start a library one day.
I loved the three pictures of the real woman who inspired the story.
And that’s how we came across this lovely story, while looking for mermaids.
Instead it’s about a girl who loves and collects books and starts her own library. It’s about the power of reading and community.
Plus now every time I buy a book, my excuse can be that I’m looking to start a library one day.
I loved the three pictures of the real woman who inspired the story.
August 28, 2023
We really enjoyed this one. 💜 it seemed a little unrealistic at times so I have to wonder which parts were modified for the story, but maybe they weren’t? Overall, a sweet story.
October 6, 2016
"Young Stella loves books so much, her books begin to take over the farmhouse. “Why, Stell, you need your own library to hold those books,” her pa tells her, so he and the neighbors build her one! She calls it “the Mermaid’s Purse,” since the midwife said Stella was born in one. Stella opens the Purse to her neighbors and travels around the countryside, sharing her books door-to-door. Not everyone gives them a chance at first, like grouchy Pig Ears Lonsberry. But farmer Dunkle sure changes his mind when information in a book saves his sick sheep. Eventually, everybody comes to love the Mermaid’s Purse—so when a tornado destroys it, scattering Stella’s precious books far and wide, the whole community rallies to help."
What a wonderful story!! I think this may be my favorite Polacco book ever! I also love the fact that it's about her grandmother. And, once again, I learned something by reading a book...I had never heard of a "mermaid's purse" before. Don't miss out on this one.
What a wonderful story!! I think this may be my favorite Polacco book ever! I also love the fact that it's about her grandmother. And, once again, I learned something by reading a book...I had never heard of a "mermaid's purse" before. Don't miss out on this one.
November 4, 2016
Patricia Polacco never ceases to amaze me. Every story she writes has such intriguing characters, so many based on her own relatives and friends. This newest book, The Mermaid's Purse is based on the life of her grandmother, Estella Barber. Stella became known throughout the county of Locke Center as the girl who loved books. After her father built her a building to house her hundreds of books, which she named The Mermaid's Purse, Stella set out to not only share those books with other children, but also with the farmers throughout the area who scorned her love of reading. Eventually the farmers and others in the town grew to love Stella as they saw the importance of reading, and all there is to learn from books. But when a tornado destroys her beloved Mermaid's Purse, Stella is overcome with sorrow, and is left speechless, until the entire community helps to replace all that was lost.
December 20, 2017
Polacco relates a story of a girl born during a storm who developed a love for books, created her own library, and from a young age devoted herself to sharing books with her community. When disaster strikes, the community she blessed with books and knowledge returns the favor.
A touching story that Polacco relates in a note in the back of the book is based on her grandmother's life. Her grandmother really did have a library she called the Mermaid's Purse, she really taught people in her community to read and love books, and she went on to be a teacher and librarian. An inspiring story about a girl who blessed her community and was in turn blessed by them. There's a lot of words in this picture book (as is common for Polacco) so this might be better for lower elementary grades than preschool or kindergarten. It would also make a good inspirational read aloud for middle grades before they brainstorm ways to help their own community or how to help those who need disaster relief aid.
A touching story that Polacco relates in a note in the back of the book is based on her grandmother's life. Her grandmother really did have a library she called the Mermaid's Purse, she really taught people in her community to read and love books, and she went on to be a teacher and librarian. An inspiring story about a girl who blessed her community and was in turn blessed by them. There's a lot of words in this picture book (as is common for Polacco) so this might be better for lower elementary grades than preschool or kindergarten. It would also make a good inspirational read aloud for middle grades before they brainstorm ways to help their own community or how to help those who need disaster relief aid.
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March 14, 2017"Young Stella loves books so much, her books begin to take over the farmhouse. oWhy, Stell, you need your own library to hold those books,o her pa tells her, so he and the neighbors build her one! She calls it othe Mermaid's Purse,o since the midwife said Stella was born in one. Stella opens the Purse to her neighbors and travels around the countryside, sharing her books door-to-door. Not everyone gives them a chance at first, like grouchy Pig Ears Lonsberry. But farmer Dunkle sure changes his mind when information in a book saves his sick sheep. Eventually, everybody comes to love the Mermaid's Purse-so when a tornado destroys it, scattering Stella's precious books far and wide, the whole community rallies to help."
February 2, 2017
There have been many picture books about books and libraries, but this one is something special. The author's own grandmother is the main character in this story, based on real events from the late 19th century.
Stella loved books so much that her family and friends built her a little library to hold them, and she shared her books and the skill of reading with the local population. Of course, something awful could go wrong, and did, but the story comes together with a very loving resolution.
This is not a great story for very young children, but for older ones this would be good. Like many of her books, this could be a picture book for older readers, or a good read-to-me book for kids just at the age to start appreciating books and reading.
Stella loved books so much that her family and friends built her a little library to hold them, and she shared her books and the skill of reading with the local population. Of course, something awful could go wrong, and did, but the story comes together with a very loving resolution.
This is not a great story for very young children, but for older ones this would be good. Like many of her books, this could be a picture book for older readers, or a good read-to-me book for kids just at the age to start appreciating books and reading.
May 17, 2017
This is a true story about the author's grandmother, Estelle, whom everyone called Stella.
Stella was born during a storm and strangely, all her life, she sensed oncoming storms before there was any visible sign of them.
Stella loved books and reading so much from the time she was a baby. She had so many books that her father built her her very own little library to keep them all in. She named it the Mermaid's Purse. The farmers around didn't see much use for books, but over time Stella convinced them to read. Then tragedy struck.
This is a very interesting and wonderfully told story.
Stella was born during a storm and strangely, all her life, she sensed oncoming storms before there was any visible sign of them.
Stella loved books and reading so much from the time she was a baby. She had so many books that her father built her her very own little library to keep them all in. She named it the Mermaid's Purse. The farmers around didn't see much use for books, but over time Stella convinced them to read. Then tragedy struck.
This is a very interesting and wonderfully told story.
July 1, 2017
This will be a book I use toward the beginning of the year to talk about the love of reading. This book shares that books can be a way to connect, to learn, to share, and to entertain. Of course I need no convincing that books are the greatest gifts and simply magical to read and own, but there are students I have encountered who don't have the same feelings as I do. For those students, and to continue the excitement and love of reading in those like me, this book is one of the first of the year that I will share to help them see my perspective about reading and love.
December 1, 2016
I grew up on Patricia Polacco so whenever I can get my hands on one of her books, I jump at it. This book came across our libraries on order list so I reserved it to make sure we got it as soon as it came out. As usual, Polacco doesn't disappoint. This beautiful story is about one of her relatives and her love of books. Reading this book took me back to my childhood and my mom reading Thunder Cake to me. Highly recommended, heartwarming story for all ages.
December 6, 2016
How is it fair that Polacco has more than her fair share of fascinating family stories? This one strains believablity because it fits so neatly into a narrative structure; yet, I have no reason to doubt Polacco's faithfulness to facts (not that that's based on anything but fuzzy feelings, I suppose). Nevertheless, I'm not a fan of overlong picture books, but Polacco is one of the few who will consistently hold my attention no matter how long the book is!
February 7, 2017
Estella was a girl who enjoyed reading. She collected so many books her father built her a shed to house them.
The town thought she was wacko because none of the farmers thought reading was important until one day one of the farmers needed help and Estella found the solution in a book.
Non-readers will enjoy The Mermaid’s Purse as much as new readers. The illustrations were not only beautiful but they told the story without words.
The town thought she was wacko because none of the farmers thought reading was important until one day one of the farmers needed help and Estella found the solution in a book.
Non-readers will enjoy The Mermaid’s Purse as much as new readers. The illustrations were not only beautiful but they told the story without words.
December 20, 2016
The Mermaid's Purse by Patricia Polacco draws from the author's family stories and as with many true stories this one has heart. This story is about her grandmother; her love of books; and her desire to bring more people to reading. There is tragedy and triumph in this book, but mostly triumph. Read with a special child who enjoys a good book.
March 5, 2017
Lovely little story about one of the author's grandmother's a young lady born in "a mermaid's purse" (aka: with a caul), who can predict storms and loves books beyond almost anything else. She goes on to introduce her neighbours and friends to the joy of books, and finds that in return, they rebuild her library when a tornado wipes it out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2016
Another heart touching family tale from Michigan children's author Patricia Polacco.
I love a child who loves books, becomes a better person from reading the books, and then has a library on her farm for her collection of books which she shares with the locals.
I love a child who loves books, becomes a better person from reading the books, and then has a library on her farm for her collection of books which she shares with the locals.
November 28, 2016
As always, Patricia Polacco spins a tale of beauty. The story of her grandmother, The Mermaid's Purse recounts her grandmother's love of books, and the sharing of her passion with the small town that she grew up in. A beautiful story with lovely illustrations.
December 26, 2016
I'm consistently amazed by the stories Patricia Polacco discovers and the way she re-tells them. Many of which are from her own history! Absolutely loved this one about a girl with a love for learning, a library, and neighbors helping each other out.
May 13, 2017
A beautiful and moving tribute to Patricia Polacco's grandmother and her creation of a small library in her yard. I loved the community, library and perseverance themes. very emotional. preschool or one on one for length.
September 24, 2017
Reads like a fairy tale. Seems too wonderful to be true, but they say that sometimes 'truth is stranger than fiction' so, I will believe that Polacco edited her grandmother's life to create this inspirational and delightful biography.
December 22, 2017
This is such a touching true story about the author's grandmother who taught an entire community to love books. Patricia Polacco's books are always so emotional and deep. I'm glad she chose to write down this story, and I loved seeing the real photographs at the end.
September 26, 2016
Patricia Polacco recounts her grandmother Stella's birth and childhood and the defining moment of her young life, when the little library her father has built for her is destroyed by a tornado.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews