Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale

by Cornelia Funke, Latschlit Inc (Translation)

The beloved and bestselling author of Inkheart returns with a chapter book full of mischief, heart, and kid mermaids!
These mermaid friends are fishing for trouble!
Lilly and Fin are merpups mermaid kids who love to play and explore the caves outside the mermaid city. They aren t really supposed to leave the city, but that s what makes it so much fun! Surely all those stories about Two-Legs (you know, humans) and sea monsters are just made up to scare young merpups.
Little do they know, a real live human couple is on the hunt for a mermaid to add to their collection of rare sea creatures. If Two-Legs exist, what about sea monsters?
With fun full-color illustrations by the author herself, this adventure is sure to capture all two-legged chapter-book readers!
Cornelia Funke . . . has written her way into the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide. Clive Barker, Time magazine
"

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Mermaids, Childrens, Fiction, German Literature, Adventure

96 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

Cornelia Funke is a multiple award-winning German illustrator and storyteller, who writes fantasy for all ages of readers. Amongst her best known books is the Inkheart trilogy. Many of Cornelia's titles are published all over the world and translated into more than 30 languages. She has two children, two birds and a very old dog and lives in Los Angeles, California.

Reviews

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click here to watch a video review of this book on my channel, From Beginning to Bookend.

Deep beneath the ocean, in a city built of sunken ships, live merpups Lilly and Fin. Though they've been told not to stray from the kingdom, lest they be caught in the nets or propellers of the evil Two-Legs, Lilly and Fin love to play in a secret cave far from home. With a seaweed bag full of tasty conch cookies, they set off for an afternoon in their favorite cave, unaware that Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel - a wealthy couple who collect ocean creatures as a hobby - have set out in their high-powered submarine, the Sea Devil, to catch a mermaid.

Eight-year-old Lilly is the "sassiest, smartest, and bravest merpup." Her very best friend is Fin, a merpup with blue hair and scales that itch whenever he has a bad feeling about something. Both are "rainbow-scaled, green-skinned, fluorescent" mermaids.

Funke sprinkles Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale with amusing ocean-related references, such as Mrs. Snorkel's "sea-green nail polish" or Lilly's and Fin's affinity for "kelp juice." Through whimsical use of a third-person narrative, she addresses readers directly, making the mermaids' adventure feel like an immersive experience.

The book's illustrations add undeniable charm to the narrative. Funke's colorful depictions of sunken ships, ocean creatures, and the submarine that looks like a "giant predatory fish" are playfully rendered to delight the imagination.


Each illustration has a hidden treasure chest (with the exception of the little illustrations at the end of each chapter), and all seven of the largest illustrations include a hidden animal that doesn't belong underwater.


The fun doesn't stop after the story concludes. Additional activities found at the back of the book -
such as a full-page board game with instructions for game-play, and a link to knitting patterns to create a plush Lilly or Fin- will keep readers engaged and entertained.

Parents and children alike will be swept away by Lilly and Fin, a charming tale of friendship and courage.

[Kadyofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ein süßes Buch für Kinder, das sich aber auch damit beschäftigt, was die Menschheit mit den Meeren anstellt. Aus Sicht von Erwachsenen kann man daraus lesen, dass es zu einer Überfischung der Meere führt und eine Ausbeutung des Meereslebens stattfindet.
Die Geschichte rund um Lilli und Flosse ist süß gemacht, einzig die Erscheinung des Kraken fand ich etwas zu rasch. Aber dennoch hat es mir ganz gut gefallen. Wie die anderen Kinderbücher von Cornelia Funke fand ich aber auch dieses wieder gelungen und auch wenn ich es nicht in meiner eigenen Kindheit gelesen habe, gab es mir ein Gefühl von Geborgenheit - wie es bei Cornelia Funkes Büchern eigentlich immer der Fall ist.
Die Illustrationen der Autorin sind, wie immer, wunderbar. Außerdem sind dieses Mal in den Illustrationen kleine Schatzkisten versteckt und es gibt ein Rätsel, durch das man den Namen des Riesenkraken herausfinden kann, den man später in der Geschichte trifft. Das ist eine schöne Idee, um das Lesen des Buches für Kinder noch interessanter zu gestalten.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young mermaid friends, Lilly and Fin, like to play outside the borders of their shipwreck city, choosing not to believe their parents' repeated warnings of dangerous Two-Legs and a giant kraken. It turns out both are real, but only one is evil. A fun fantasy chapter book that will especially appeal to mermaid lovers and children who like to see villains get their comeuppance. The back of the book contains instructions for seek-and-find objects within the illustrations, a craft, and a board game.

[Tara Ethridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the color pics in this bridging chapter book. 3rd graders who already have a love for mermaids will definitely dig this one! Adventure, a bit of comedy and lots of sweetness in this.

[Athena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding entry in the kids' mermaid category, or just kid books in general. It's an exciting story with 'merpups' who seem like Real Kids and bad guys who have a tinge of Boris and Natasha Badinoff about them (from Rocky & Bullwinkle fame, which is going to totally go over the target audience's head but delighted this adult). The 'scary' is really, manageably, scary and the whole book just works beautifully. Lilly and Fin are fun to be around, their world is interesting enough that I want more books about it and I just had a helluva good time reading it.

There's a lot of interesting little bits at the end too: hidden items in the pictures throughout the book, a board game, and for the grown-ups ... wait for it ... a KNIT-YOUR-OWN Lilly and Fin! Seriously, how cool is THAT?!

The end bits & pictures are cool enough that it's worth giving the Kindle version a miss and investing in a tangible copy. Really, this is GOOD kid's stuff, well worth a look!

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little starting chapter book for children about mermaids and one couple who want to capture one for their own collection. My niece really enjoyed this little book and there were some fun surprises for her. Lamp their glowing fish is a neat idea.

[Kristen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute mermaid tale about some crazy collectors of underwater sea creatures and two little merpups who like to run out on adventures. Loved the illustrations.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, Cornelia Funke wrote and illustrated a book about mermaids, and yes, it's as cute as that sounds. And yes, I found every treasure chest AND all seven creatures that don't belong underwater, thank you very much!

[Yoyomaus Die Büchereule · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zum Inhalt:
Lilli ist eine ganz besonders mutige kleine Nixe. Deshalb möchte sie auch unbedingt vor den Toren der Nixenstadt spielen - auch wenn ihr Freund Flosse sie warnt, weil seine Schuppen jucken, wie immer, wenn Gefahr droht. An Zweibeiner oder Riesenkraken glaubt Lilli sowieso nicht! Aber diesmal treffen die beiden das U-Boot "Seeteufel" von Herrn und Frau Schnorchel, die auf Nixenfang für ihr Aquarium sind. Da ist es nur gut, dass es auch den Riesenkraken wirklich gibt: Der nämlich bewahrt Lilli und Flosse davor, im Aquarium zu landen!

Cover:
Das Cover finde ich persönlich richtig niedlich gemacht. Es ist enteggen den anderen Büchern, die so auf denn Markt kommen einfach kunterbunt, fantastisch anzusehen und gibt bereits einen ersten Überblick über die Geschichte. Da die Geschichte im Meer spielt, wurde das Cover hauptsächlich in Grün gehalten und zeigt die beiden Protagonisten Lilli und Flosse sowie im Hintergrund das U-Boot von den Schnorchels und natürlich allerlei bunten Kram aus der Unterwasserwelt. Herzig schön, wie ich finde und außerdem ein schöner Vorgeschmack auf die Illustrationen im Buch, auch wenn diese Schwarz-Weiss sind.

Eigener Eindruck:
Die Familie Schnorchel ist reich und hat ein sehr explizites Hobby, welches sie immer wieder in die Tiefen des Meeres verschlägt. Dort fangen sie exotische Meeresbewohner, um sie in Aquarien oder Marmeladengläsern in ihrem Haus zur Schau zu stellen. Die beiden haben wirklich alles, was sie begehren, doch eins fehlt noch! Eine Meerjungfrau! Gut, dass sie Detektiv Lauschohr arrangiert haben, der tatsächlich eine Siedlung von Meerjungfrauen gefunden hat. Die Schnorchels fackeln nicht lange und machen sich sofort mit ihrem U-Boot auf den Weg, um endlich ihren größten Wunsch zu erfüllen.
Währenddessen treffen sich die kleine Meerjungfrau Lilli und ihr bester Freund Flosse tief unten im Meer. Gemeinsam mit Lillis Leuchtfisch Lampe wollen sie sich außerhalb der sicheren Siedlungsmauern herumtreiben. Dass dieser Ausflug für Lilli und Flosse zu einem echten Abenteuer wird, das ahnen sie noch nicht. Denn Zweibeiner sind ja nur Märchen, mit denen die Eltern sie erschrecken wollen. Und auch die Sage von der nixenfressenden Riesenkrake ist frei erfunden! Oder doch nicht?

Mir persönlich hat die Geschichte aus der Feder von Cornelia Funke ganz gut gefallen. In kurzen und einfachen Sätzen beschreibt sie die Geschichte und entführt so in eine Welt voller Wunder. Neben der Geschichte gibt es noch allerlei Illustrationen mit denen man ein Rätsel lösen kann. Das finde ich richtig klasse, jedoch geht der Spaß hier ein bisschen verloren, weil es sich bei den Illustrationen um Schwarz-Weiss- Zeichnungen handelt und man manchmal ganz schön die Augen ausfahren muss, um das gesuchte Objekt zu finden. Die Charaktere der Geschichte sind in meinen Augen ganz gut ausgearbeitet und man kann sich als junger Leser sehr mit Lilli und Flosse identifizieren. Einzig die Szene mit dem Meeresriesen konnte ich nicht wirklich leiden. Er taucht plötzlich auf und so schnell wie er von Frau Funke erwähnt wird, verschwindet er auch wieder. die eine oder andere Erklärung mehr, wäre hier schon wünschenswert gewesen. Ansonsten bleibt mir aber zu sagen, dass die Geschichte wirklich ganz liebevoll gestaltet ist und einfach Spaß macht. Vielleicht sind die einen oder anderen Dialoge nicht unbedingt so gut geglückt, aber das ist Geschmackssache. Mir scheinen sie bisweilen doch ein bisschen zu kindisch (ja ich weiß, dass das ein kinderbuch ist, aber ich weiß nicht, wie ich es sonst ausdrücken soll..."primitiv" wäre das falsche Wort).

Fazit:
Trotz kleiner Mängel absolut lesenwert!

Idee: 5/5
Charaktere: 4/5
Schreibstil: 4/5
Logik: 4/5
Spannung: 4/5

Gesamt: 4/5

Daten:
Taschenbuch: 96 Seiten
Verlag: Oetinger Taschenbuch (1. Juni 2014)
Sprache: Deutsch
ISBN-10: 9783841503046
ISBN-13: 978-3841503046
ASIN: 3841503047
Vom Hersteller empfohlenes Alter: 8 - 10 Jahre
Größe und/oder Gewicht: 13,6 x 1,2 x 19 cm

[Jensy]

Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel was a very rich couple whose main hobby is to collect sea creatures, and place them in their marvelous aquarium. Their aquarium was in fact, the biggest aquarium in the world! They had all kinds of sea creatures from every corner of the ocean. However, their aquarium would not be completed without a mermaid. The Snorkel’s spent countless of hours trying to find a mermaid, but they were unsuccessful. One day, the underwater detective Mr. Ignatius Harkenear found an underwater city filled with mermaids. Mr. Harkenear and Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel then went in the Sea Devil, a huge submarine and started their mermaid hunt. In the city, lived two very curious mermaid children. Lilly and Fin loved to go outside of the city limits, and hangout at their secret cave. They were told to not go beyond the city limits because two legged creatures and the Kraken roam around sea. Lilly and Fin however, did not believe in these silly stories. Lily and Fin decided to go to their regular hangout spot, but that day Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel started their mermaid exhibition and from the Sea Devil, they spotted Lily and Fin. Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel were able to capture Fin, but Lily managed to escape. Lily decided to hide in a dark cave where she met the Kraken! Lily explained to the Kraken what happened to her friend Fin, and the Kraken decided to help Lily. Lily and the Kraken were able to rescue Fin, and Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel and detective Mr. Ignatius Harkenear escaped the Kraken’s attract. Lily and Fin continued to live peacefully in their city. Mr. Ignatius Harkenear decided to quit his job, while Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel continued on trying to catch a mermaid.

Questions
1. What do you predict will happen to Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel? Will they ever give up trying to catch a mermaid? Will they successfully catch a mermaid someday?
2. What is your opinion on capturing sea creatures, and having them in aquariums? Why do you feel that way?
3. What would happen if Fin was not rescued? Would Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel continue on catching mermaids?
4. What would have happened if Lily was the one who got captured, not Fin?
5. What choice would you have made if you were in Fin’s situation? Would you try to escape or would you surrender to the humans?

Funke, C. (2017). Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale. Random House Books for Young Readers.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of whimsical colorful illustrations, Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tail is about two Merpups, impulsive Lilly and her best friend, reticent Fin. Lilly and Fin are not permitted out of their area, the protected City of Mermaids, but every time fearless Lilly scoffs at the rules and teases Fin into playing in the deep dark sea away from the protection of their city. At this moment, the Snorkel couple, collectors of precious undersea creatures have one last desire, to capture a mermaid. The merpups are not aware of their existence, or even fearful of "Two-Legs" (humans) whose greed for adding to their specimen collection has that one last requirement, to capture a live mermaid. Add a huge fat crying merman and a giant kraken and the action in this tale is exciting, unpredictable, and well told. Readers will relate to the brave spirit of Lilly, and hope she can survive both the Sea Monsters and the human collectors of precious sea creatures, the evil Snorkel couple. A lively imaginative read with gorgeous illustrations.

[Lorie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lily and Fin, two merpups, break the rules by swimming out past the guards to look for treasures to put in their cave collection when they are hunted by Mr. and Mrs. Snorkle an ultra-rich couple who want to add them to their collection of sea creatures. Will they be able to escape and who is the one creature that might be able to save them?

Originally published in German in 2004, this illustrated beginning chapter book will keep its audience’s attention. The pen and ink illustrations done by Funke herself are detailed and include some surprise hide and seek games for the treasure chest in each illustration and looking for non-sea creatures in seven of the largest illustrations. Other book extras include a link to Knit Your Own Lilly and Fin, and how to create your own board game based upon the book. I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

[Frank Kresse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun enough read. Despite the implications of the book, luck isn't real. I'm not super excited about the mermaids ignoring they parents, but the book doesn't seem to condone it. In fact they have natural consequences from it. The kraken however proves that the parents are ignorant, and I'd like to have seen how that played out. It's clear from the end that the kids hadn't learned from their mistake though since they were going to keep it from their parents.

[Sujatha Sankaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter Maya, age 6, has recently learned to read in her head and has started obsessively reading any chapter book she can get her hands on. Lilly and Finn was perfect for her. It had just the right amount of complexity, suspense, action and humor, and she was able to read it entirely on her own. Recommend for the early 6 year old set.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable book!! Fun for kids. There is even a board game at the end of the book with instructions on how to play the game. Plus, a link to knit the characters of the book is included as well!!There are also several hidden pictures throughout the book too.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging transitional reader with vibrant detailed illustrations and perfectly despiseable antagonists. Funke sets up a great flow adding just enough detail to enrich without distracting. For the target audience, this is a gem, and the addition of activities at the end extends the fun.

[Maegan Sugrue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute story about two merpup friends who go on an adventure and meet a giant kraken and Two-Legs. My daughter was so engaged and never wanted to stop reading. "I liked the kraken and the mermaids. I learned that it's important to help creatures and everything." -McKenna (age 5)

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter really enjoyed this book. it reminded me of roald Dahl, and I don't really like his books or his illustrations. Two little myrrh pups go swimming where they're not supposed to and one gets captured by wicked humans.

[Laela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off slow, but the ending is delightful. For the person with a quirky sense of humor.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not our favorite of all Cornelia Funke's work, but still fun to read aloud with my younger kids. :)

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, light read. It took Evelyn a few chapters to get into it, but she ended up enjoying it.

[Clara Baker Baldwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to see if I wanted to recommend it to 6 yr old granddaughter. Now I need to see if there is a sequel. If there is, yes. If not, maybe.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, easy chapter book

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My niece loved this. She's seven.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and fun!

[K Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful distraction. This seemed to be about Courage and a message for kids to believe adults. I would have loved doing the search n find-if I wasn't looking at the book on my phone.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was an absolute perfect short story for my kids.loved the games and such in the back. the illustrations were so creative. I loved this

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great color pics

[Jaide · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple but fun. Books similar in flavor would be “Zorgamazoo”, “Fourteen Cases of Dynamite” or “Emil and the Detectives”.