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Pearl
Caldecott Honor author-illustrator Molly Idle dazzles with an original mermaid tale about how small, persistent actions can achieve great things.
Sometimes the tiniest light can shine the brightest ! Like the other mermaids of the deep, Pearl longs to care for the endless beaches, coral reefs, and towering kelp forests of her vast ocean world. So when her mother asks her to tend to a mere grain of sand, Pearl is heartbroken. It takes all her patience and determination to discover how even the littlest mermaid can transform the world.
Caldecott Honor-winning author and artist Molly Idle has masterfully crafted a modern classic in this mesmerizing tale about the immense power of small actions.
Sometimes the tiniest light can shine the brightest ! Like the other mermaids of the deep, Pearl longs to care for the endless beaches, coral reefs, and towering kelp forests of her vast ocean world. So when her mother asks her to tend to a mere grain of sand, Pearl is heartbroken. It takes all her patience and determination to discover how even the littlest mermaid can transform the world.
Caldecott Honor-winning author and artist Molly Idle has masterfully crafted a modern classic in this mesmerizing tale about the immense power of small actions.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
About the author
Molly Idle
46 books204 followersMolly Idle has been drawing ever since she could wield a pencil. But while she started scribbling before she could walk, her professional career as an artist began slightly later…
It was upon her graduation from Arizona State University, with a BFA in Drawing, that Molly accepted an offer to work for DreamWorks Feature Animation Studios. After five years, a number of film credits, and an incredibly good time, she left the studio and leapt with gusto into the world of children's book illustration!
Molly now lives in Arizona with her brilliant husband, two wonderfully mischievous sons, and two snugly cats. When not making mischief with her boys or watching old Technicolor musicals, she can be found at her desk scribbling away, with a pencil in one hand and a cup of espresso in the other- creating a plethora of profoundly whimsical picture books!
It was upon her graduation from Arizona State University, with a BFA in Drawing, that Molly accepted an offer to work for DreamWorks Feature Animation Studios. After five years, a number of film credits, and an incredibly good time, she left the studio and leapt with gusto into the world of children's book illustration!
Molly now lives in Arizona with her brilliant husband, two wonderfully mischievous sons, and two snugly cats. When not making mischief with her boys or watching old Technicolor musicals, she can be found at her desk scribbling away, with a pencil in one hand and a cup of espresso in the other- creating a plethora of profoundly whimsical picture books!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
April 24, 2018
She placed a single grain of sand in Pearl's hand.
"Yours, to care for every day and keep safe every night."
"But, Mother . . . " protested Pearl, "you said I could help with something important."
"The smallest of things can make a great difference, Pearl," her mother replied.
"Yours, to care for every day and keep safe every night."
"But, Mother . . . " protested Pearl, "you said I could help with something important."
"The smallest of things can make a great difference, Pearl," her mother replied.
October 13, 2018
Not only is the art gorgeous (I think these might be the best mermaids I've seen!), but the story is utterly, utterly wonderful! I thought from the cover I knew where it was going . . . it took a different twist at the end that I just loved! This is definitely going on my Best of 2018 list!
October 31, 2019
Longing to be given an important task like other mermaids - something like guarding the giants of the deep, or tending to the forests of kelp - little Pearl asks her mother for something to do. When she is given a single grain of sand to care for, she is immensely disappointed. But then she notices a glow coming from her hands, when she shuts them around the grain, and begins to take its care more seriously. Eventually her grain grows into a huge luminescent ball, one that ascends through the waters, and then through the air, up into the heavens...
A sweet original fairy-tale from author/illustrator Molly Idle, who won a Caldecott Honor for her Flora and the Flamingo , Pearl explores the idea that from little things come great ones, and that no task is ever too insignificant to lead to wonderful results. The artwork, as is always the case with Idle, is both beautiful and cute, something that is difficult to pull off, as I usually find that illustrations are one or the other, but not both. The color palette here is just lovely, and Pearl has the sort of winsome expressiveness I have come to expect from a Molly Idle heroine. Recommended to fans of the artist, to young mermaid fans, and to anyone looking for new, original fairy-tales.
A sweet original fairy-tale from author/illustrator Molly Idle, who won a Caldecott Honor for her Flora and the Flamingo , Pearl explores the idea that from little things come great ones, and that no task is ever too insignificant to lead to wonderful results. The artwork, as is always the case with Idle, is both beautiful and cute, something that is difficult to pull off, as I usually find that illustrations are one or the other, but not both. The color palette here is just lovely, and Pearl has the sort of winsome expressiveness I have come to expect from a Molly Idle heroine. Recommended to fans of the artist, to young mermaid fans, and to anyone looking for new, original fairy-tales.
August 29, 2022
Lovely. Has the feel of an original fairy-tale. The ending felt a bit abrupt, but I'll still give four stars for the luminous illustrations and the message that sometimes things that seem small or unimportant hold the potential to become very special, indeed, if showered with love and care.
September 22, 2019
Such a beautiful story with adorably lovely illustrations!
September 8, 2019
Gorgeous and whimsical. One young mermaid learns how things can seem small at first, but grow to have a big impact.
October 22, 2018
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book was absolutely stunning! I loved the style in which each illustration was created, as well as the colours used. (You can see some examples from Amazon.com of what the interior looks like here, here, and here!) I seriously had to take a moment to admire each page after reading the words, wanting to take in every little detail. I generally enjoy visuals of underwater scenes, but the illustrations in Pearl are definitely at the top of my favourite list (and I will also be keeping an eye on this author)!
The story itself also clicked very well with the style and colouring of this picture book. Pearl teaches readers, young and old, about the importance of the small things in life, and that even small responsibilities can be very very important. This book also spoke to me about not dismissing something too quickly because it seems unimportant. Life surprises us in a number of ways, and I think that Pearl depicts this effectively and beautifully! I recommend this book to readers of all ages!
This book was absolutely stunning! I loved the style in which each illustration was created, as well as the colours used. (You can see some examples from Amazon.com of what the interior looks like here, here, and here!) I seriously had to take a moment to admire each page after reading the words, wanting to take in every little detail. I generally enjoy visuals of underwater scenes, but the illustrations in Pearl are definitely at the top of my favourite list (and I will also be keeping an eye on this author)!
The story itself also clicked very well with the style and colouring of this picture book. Pearl teaches readers, young and old, about the importance of the small things in life, and that even small responsibilities can be very very important. This book also spoke to me about not dismissing something too quickly because it seems unimportant. Life surprises us in a number of ways, and I think that Pearl depicts this effectively and beautifully! I recommend this book to readers of all ages!
April 23, 2021
Small persistent actions can bring about big changes.
Pearl is a little mermaid who feels she makes no contribution to the ocean. Her mother gives her a single grain of sand to take care of. What happens next...is nothing short of magic and wonder.
Idle's illustrations are so beautiful in this watercolor mixed world where you're never quite sure where ocean ends and mermaid begins. This simple story of commitment and dedication reminds us all that big things start from the smallest beginnings.
Pearl is a little mermaid who feels she makes no contribution to the ocean. Her mother gives her a single grain of sand to take care of. What happens next...is nothing short of magic and wonder.
Idle's illustrations are so beautiful in this watercolor mixed world where you're never quite sure where ocean ends and mermaid begins. This simple story of commitment and dedication reminds us all that big things start from the smallest beginnings.
November 24, 2021
“The smallest of things can make a great difference”.
At first Pearl wants to be ‘grown up’ and help with big jobs her mother usually does, her mother gives pearl an important job to look after a single grain of sand everyday. Pearl thinks this is ridiculous and does not understand why her mother doesn’t trust her to have a ‘real’ job in the sea. As the story goes on pearls mother says to her: “The smallest of things can make a great difference”.
And wow… they do
At first Pearl wants to be ‘grown up’ and help with big jobs her mother usually does, her mother gives pearl an important job to look after a single grain of sand everyday. Pearl thinks this is ridiculous and does not understand why her mother doesn’t trust her to have a ‘real’ job in the sea. As the story goes on pearls mother says to her: “The smallest of things can make a great difference”.
And wow… they do
November 24, 2021
I found this book so therapeutic and calming to read, I feel it had a very soothing energy to it. The story follows the life of Pearl the Mermaid who just wishes to grow up. Her mother gives her a grain of sand to look after and as the story progresses we follow Pearl’s experience with it. I think the message from this book is so important to give things time and don’t give up and would be such a lovely book for KS1.
October 31, 2018
No matter how small you are, you can achieve an enormous amount.
December 17, 2018
I received this book as a birthday gift from my dear friend, Pat: Such a lovely, delightful children's tale with the most gorgeous illustrations that mirror the fairytale-like story and also the sea. I love how squishy and fluid the mermaids are: it actually makes a lot more sense to me than what most mermaid depictions do. And I just love Pearl: she's a gem. ;)
October 10, 2019
I really liked this one until the awkward twist at the end. The resolution with the pearl becoming the moon was just a big flop for me. Even my four year old was confused and wasn’t satisfied with the ending.
4 stars illustrations
2 stars text
4 stars illustrations
2 stars text
October 26, 2018
This is a beautiful book full of colorful and delightful illustrations. It's the story of a mermaid who learns the importance of looking out for even the smallest of things and the joy it brings. It's a lovely story and beautiful to look at it and read. My 4 year old granddaughter was heads over heels charmed by it and we read it four times before she shared it with her mother.
August 1, 2020
This is truly one of the most beautiful art I have ever seen in my life. I love how gorgeous and serene the pictures are.
April 1, 2019
Umm between the art and the story this was so adorable.😭
November 23, 2018
Gorgeous illustrations accompany a story that screams THIS IS AN ALLEGORY. The artwork is soft and almost glows. Even the mermaids look snuggly, not fishy and scaly.
February 14, 2019
Oh, Molly Idle, you have done it again! I couldn't decide which was more amazing--the story or the art? I love how the mermaids mirrored what they were caring for (the mermaid caring for coral had hair that looked like a coral reef; the mermaid caring for kelp looked like kelp; etc.). With the title being Pearl, I thought that I KNEW where the story was going, yet I should have known better with Idle's excellent writing! Nothing would be so obvious or trite, and am I ever glad. Deeply lovely and with a much richer message, I know every little girl who loves mermaid books will want to check this out.
Read
November 20, 2018What a delightful gem of a book! It shows how something seemingly small and insignificant can turn into something so much greater and lustrous. A wonderful story.
-Jen K.
-Jen K.
December 31, 2018
Three and a half stars, mostly for the magical art. The story feels like it wants to be a fairy tale, but doesn’t quite know how to.
July 5, 2019
A little mermaid is ready to share the responsibility that the adult mermaids keep in protecting the ocean. Her mother gives her one tiny grain of sand to keep and protect.
Through her tender care and protection, the grain grows and glows until it is so big that she sets it into the sky to shine over the land.
Children will enjoy the enchanting story and the inspiration to nurture the littlest of ideas or the smallest of passions while parents will nod along to the gentle guidance that is child rearing.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
"But Mother..." protested Pearl, "you said I could help with something important."
"The smallest of things can make a great difference"
Through her tender care and protection, the grain grows and glows until it is so big that she sets it into the sky to shine over the land.
Children will enjoy the enchanting story and the inspiration to nurture the littlest of ideas or the smallest of passions while parents will nod along to the gentle guidance that is child rearing.
Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library
November 24, 2021
Pearl teaches how even the smallest things, can turn out to be something big and amazing if we only put the care and time into them!
Pearl is a young mermaid who wants to be like the older mermaids, who all have a responsibility to take care of something in the sea such as the kelp and watching over the waves.
Her mother gives her a seemingly dull job of taking care of a singular grain of sand. Pearl isn't very happy about this at first, but soon realises that there is something special about her tiny responsibility.
This story had a magical feel to it, with beautiful illustrations along side - the contrast between the deep blue of the sea and the bright colours of the mermaids and the plants under the sea is gorgeous.
Pearl is a young mermaid who wants to be like the older mermaids, who all have a responsibility to take care of something in the sea such as the kelp and watching over the waves.
Her mother gives her a seemingly dull job of taking care of a singular grain of sand. Pearl isn't very happy about this at first, but soon realises that there is something special about her tiny responsibility.
This story had a magical feel to it, with beautiful illustrations along side - the contrast between the deep blue of the sea and the bright colours of the mermaids and the plants under the sea is gorgeous.
Read
November 16, 2018Sometimes very, very early in the morning, just past midnight, the sight of the moon in the crystal clear air of October is marvelous and a bit magical. It casts a glow unlike any other light. Everything it touches is seen anew.
In her newest gift to readers, author illustrator Molly Idle takes us into watery depths. There reside legendary creatures, caretakers of the sea. Pearl (Little, Brown and Company, October 9, 2018) is about one of the smallest residing there who yearns to join the others with a special task of her own.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
In her newest gift to readers, author illustrator Molly Idle takes us into watery depths. There reside legendary creatures, caretakers of the sea. Pearl (Little, Brown and Company, October 9, 2018) is about one of the smallest residing there who yearns to join the others with a special task of her own.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
July 4, 2020
Caldecott Honor author-illustrator Molly Idle dazzles with an original mermaid tale about how small, persistent actions can achieve great things.
Sometimes the tiniest light can shine the brightest! Like the other mermaids of the deep, Pearl longs to care for the endless beaches, coral reefs, and towering kelp forests of her vast ocean world. So when her mother asks her to tend to a mere grain of sand, Pearl is heartbroken. It takes all her patience and determination to discover how even the littlest mermaid can transform the world.
Caldecott Honor-winning author and artist Molly Idle has masterfully crafted a modern classic in this mesmerizing tale about the immense power of small actions.
Sometimes the tiniest light can shine the brightest! Like the other mermaids of the deep, Pearl longs to care for the endless beaches, coral reefs, and towering kelp forests of her vast ocean world. So when her mother asks her to tend to a mere grain of sand, Pearl is heartbroken. It takes all her patience and determination to discover how even the littlest mermaid can transform the world.
Caldecott Honor-winning author and artist Molly Idle has masterfully crafted a modern classic in this mesmerizing tale about the immense power of small actions.
March 15, 2019
Sometimes, I just have to add modern picture books to my shelves so that I can remember to buy them for when I have a baby or a classroom. Pearl was so beautifully illustrated and the story is simple, but moving. The illustrations do an excellent job in evoking a child's disappointment when they yearn for more responsibility. Add mermaids and a big beautiful moon, and I'm completely sold.
May 6, 2022
This book is so cute and I absolutely adore the illustrations. Molly Idle is amazing. I was hooked by the title, since I have a daughter named Pearl, but even more by the different interpretations of mermaids. They were stunning. The story was pretty cute too, and therefore, I now own it. I'm super happy to add it to my kids book collection. Lovely.
April 24, 2021
I love that this book is about mermaids! Such cute and colourful illustrations. I also love this book's powerful message that even small actions can have a lasting impact and no task is ever too insignificant to lead to wonderful results.
November 1, 2018
Enchanting and ever so beautiful!
January 30, 2019
Beautiful illustrations! Teaches that "The smallest of things can make a great difference!"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews