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WellieWishers #4
Camille's Mermaid Tale
Camille loves the ocean—the warm sand, the pretty shells, and the sparkling waves that tickle her toes. Sometimes she even imagines that she’s a mermaid with whales and dolphins for friends! When the other WellieWishers see how much Camille misses her summers by the sea, they want to help … but how can four girls turn a garden into an ocean?
104 pages, Paperback
First published February 9, 2017
1 person is currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tripp
272 books442 followersValerie Tripp is a children's book author, best known for her work with the American Girl series.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
She grew up in Mount Kisco, New York with three sisters and one brother. A member of the first co-educated class at Yale University, Tripp also has a M.Ed. from Harvard. Since 1985 she has lived in Silver Spring, Maryland. Her husband teaches history at Montgomery College.
Right out of college, Tripp started writing songs, stories, and nonfiction for The Superkids Reading Program, working with Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl. For that series, Tripp wrote all the books about Felicity, Josefina, Kit, Molly, and Maryellen and many of the books about Samantha. She also wrote the "Best Friends" character stories to date, plays, mysteries, and short stories about all her characters.. Film dramatizations of the lives of Samantha, Felicity, Molly, and Kit have been based on her stories. Currently, Tripp is writing a STEM series for National Geographic and adapting Greek Myths for Starry Forest Publishing. A frequent speaker at schools and libraries, Tripp has also spoken at the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian, The New York Historical Society, and Williamsburg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 25, 2017
"I loved the book of mermaid tales that Camille wrote and drew in and I liked the funny words." (O-fish-ally, dolphin-ately, fin-ished) -Cadee, age 5
October 2, 2017
I found this book on clearance so I bought it with the intention to give it as a gift. Of course, I wanted to read it before I gave it to someone, and I really enjoyed it! This book is perfect for young girls who are starting to form friendships and figuring out how to solve problems, using their imagination, communicating and dealing with their feelings. The girls are all diverse and supportive of one another, and they are really creative by coming up with games and things to make and do. The pictures are so pretty and colorful too, and I think any young reader would enjoy this book!
April 1, 2017
Enjoyable story just right for intermediate readers and without girl drama! Camille misses her former home at the ocean, so her friends decide to secretly provide an ocean feel to the garden. In order to do so, they have to sneak around and she feels left out until all is revealed. Gentle and sweet.
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September 5, 2025A sweet story with good reminders about how to be a good friend.
This is the second time I've read this with my daughter, who just started 2nd grade, but this time, it was a collaborative effort: I'd read a couple pages, she'd read a couple pages. Turned out to be a great level to both challenge her and also show off how much she's capable of (which is often more than she thinks).
This is the second time I've read this with my daughter, who just started 2nd grade, but this time, it was a collaborative effort: I'd read a couple pages, she'd read a couple pages. Turned out to be a great level to both challenge her and also show off how much she's capable of (which is often more than she thinks).
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December 29, 2024Read with Ella 12/24
January 21, 2018
So absolutely adorable! The WellieWishers are quite endearing. I think they are a really good addition to the American Girl line of dolls and books.
February 14, 2018
In this story Camille loves mermaids and the sea. The girls try to turn there garden into the sea for Camille. But how will they? You will find out. But only if you read it.
I DO NOT LIKE BOOKS I LOVE BOOKS!
I DO NOT LIKE BOOKS I LOVE BOOKS!
July 17, 2017
This book, like the others in the series, was a really quick read. However, it's an adorable story! I actually really love how the author managed to add the little items that "go with" Camille, the doll into the story. That's been something that was sort of missing in the previous books.
Camille misses her grandmother and visiting the sea for the summer. (We also learn in this book that Camille has recently moved to the area). Her friends decide to spend their mornings (when Camille is at dance class) making a special underwater garden for her, based on a story she told them she'd made up.
As with many things they try, there is good and bad with the idea. Camille ends up feeling left out of the fun as the girls struggle to keep their surprise a secret from her. Aunt Miranda comes to the rescue, so to speak, but saying something that encourages Camille to made a project of her own: a book of mermaid stories to share with her friends.
I think this would be a great story to read with little girls, particularly if they're missing someone or feel like they're missing out on fun things their friends might be doing. There are idea for fun summer activities at the end of the book as well.
Camille misses her grandmother and visiting the sea for the summer. (We also learn in this book that Camille has recently moved to the area). Her friends decide to spend their mornings (when Camille is at dance class) making a special underwater garden for her, based on a story she told them she'd made up.
As with many things they try, there is good and bad with the idea. Camille ends up feeling left out of the fun as the girls struggle to keep their surprise a secret from her. Aunt Miranda comes to the rescue, so to speak, but saying something that encourages Camille to made a project of her own: a book of mermaid stories to share with her friends.
I think this would be a great story to read with little girls, particularly if they're missing someone or feel like they're missing out on fun things their friends might be doing. There are idea for fun summer activities at the end of the book as well.
August 15, 2022
I have put this on display at the library many times, since the cover is cute and lots of little girls like mermaids, but I had never read it until now. Some friends of mine picked up American Girl books for me at their library's used book sale, and I am pleased to own four WellieWishers books now. As it turns out, my library only has this one and one other, and not the rest of the series. I'm not sure why, but I'm considering suggesting the others for purchase.
This book is very charming, with simple text and gently handled emotions. Camille misses living by the beach and spending more time with her grandmother, and her friends collaborate on a special surprise to cheer her up during mornings when she is at ballet. The different dynamics in the book are very realistic, and the book has a nice message without seeming preachy. Then, after the story, there is a discussion and activity guide for parents. Overall, I am impressed with this series. It's a solid choice for young readers who are beginning to read independently, or as a read-aloud for even younger girls.
This book is very charming, with simple text and gently handled emotions. Camille misses living by the beach and spending more time with her grandmother, and her friends collaborate on a special surprise to cheer her up during mornings when she is at ballet. The different dynamics in the book are very realistic, and the book has a nice message without seeming preachy. Then, after the story, there is a discussion and activity guide for parents. Overall, I am impressed with this series. It's a solid choice for young readers who are beginning to read independently, or as a read-aloud for even younger girls.
September 17, 2020
My kids (4&5) love the Wellie wishers, they are fans of the dolls and the show. This is the first book we read and it was very cute and enjoyable for them and for me. This story was mostly about Camille, who is missing her old home by the ocean, her grandmother, and time with her friends because she has recently started ballet. Her friends decide to make a surprise for her, but to keep her from finding out the inadvertently make her feel even more left out. All ends well when the friends realize what is going on and the surprise is revealed. There were lots of puns in the story, some my kids could understand but others they missed out in because they aren’t reading themselves (i.e. tails vs tales). There are plenty of nice illustrations, which my kids appreciated since we are just getting into chapter books. Lots of good talking points for parents with young elementary children just learning to navigate friendships. There is also a parents section in the back as an addition resource.
January 7, 2023
This was such a lovely little book about friendship and sacrificing time and energy to encourage a friend. I surprised myself (and my six-year-old!) by bursting into tears while reading. We’ve really enjoyed reading The Sophie Mouse books this past year, and I felt at a loss as to what to read next with my daughter, and this really was perfect. There were beautiful illustrations nearly every page. The themes were wholesome. My three girls found the puns to be absolutely hilarious. I can’t vouch for all the Wellie Wisher books, but this was a simple, sweet book that even my toddler tuned in to.
March 23, 2018
Camille can only come to the garden during summer afternoons since she is in ballet lessons in the mornings. She talks with her friends about her grandmother and how she pretended to be mermaids with her sister. Her friends want to surprise her but creating mermaid type items. But Camille, who doesn't know about the surprise, feels forgotten. She writes down some of her mermaid stories to feel better. When her friends reveal their surprise Camille shares her stories. Ends with storytelling ideas.
Sweet story.
Sweet story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
The Wellie Wishers books are a great series for little girls to start with chapter books. Each book has only six chapters followed by crafts and projects relating to the story that can be done. As I've been reading them to my five year old granddaughter she wants "just one more chapter" every time. American Girls has done it again!
May 27, 2018
I saw this on the living room table and decided to read through it. It is about a group of friends who get together and surprise their friend Camille with an ocean theme party to cheer her up. Camille knows there is something going on, but does not realize why her friends were acting weird. It bothered her, but not for too long.
April 29, 2022
My daughters got a Wellie Wishers Lego set for their birthday and it sparked my interest in learning about the Wellie Wishers characters. My daughter got this for Easter and we used it for our first read aloud. It went well! She liked the characters and the beautifully illustrated pages of the book. A sweet series. We will probably look for more for her.
December 26, 2017
This was my little sisters book. It's another short book about the Wellie Wishers. Overall, it was pretty cute! I would totally recommend it for any young girl from 4-8 and for big girls who want a cute easy read.
January 29, 2021
Another cute Wellie Wishers book. I liked how the girls all worked together to create a surprise to cheer up their friend when she was missing her grandma and the ocean. These are fun chapter books for girls just starting to read full chapter books with a nice mixture of friendship and fun.
September 1, 2023
Four year old Hattie could read this over and over again. The bright illustrations captivate her. And this story made her want her own mermaid tail… and her dream came true! My best friend sewed her one and it blew her mind.
September 12, 2017
"I loved the book of mermaid tales that Camille wrote and drew in and I liked the funny words." (O-fish-ally, dolphin-ately, fin-ished) -Cadee, age 5
March 20, 2018
The best book ever
January 12, 2018
I'm such a sap, this book totally made me tear up
September 17, 2018
American Girl : Wellie Wishers
January 3, 2019
My daughter loves anything American Girl and she got a WellieWisher for Christmas and an accompanying book. I read it to her the past few nights and she loved it. (She's 5).
June 24, 2019
She is sooo cute! P.S I really like mermaids.
March 8, 2020
My four year old says "I love it! My favorite part is Camille." Just a super cute story and I love these girls friendship!
December 14, 2020
"I like it because I want to be a real mermaid." -my 4 year old
January 23, 2021
Great!
July 1, 2024
Cute but I felt bad with some of the characters emotions.
January 11, 2025
Camille's Mermaid Tale: another sweet WellieWishers book. Slightly more complex plot and wordplay than some of the others. The ocean theme is fun!
May 16, 2025
amazing for a mood changer
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews