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Remarkables
“Breathtaking.” —School Library Connection
“Enchanting art.” —Publishers Weekly
Journey meets Pearl in this transcendent picture book about a mermaid finding her forever home, created by the author of Strictly No Elephants, Lisa Mantchev, and The Bear and the Piano author-illustrator David Litchfield.
When a boy is out swimming and looking for fish, he meets a mermaid instead. She is all alone. He welcomes her to his home and his circus family. Though she misses the ocean, she feels she has found a new family and home. With lyrical text and luminous artwork, Remarkables is a story of friendship and finding home. What a remarkable place the world is.
“Enchanting art.” —Publishers Weekly
Journey meets Pearl in this transcendent picture book about a mermaid finding her forever home, created by the author of Strictly No Elephants, Lisa Mantchev, and The Bear and the Piano author-illustrator David Litchfield.
When a boy is out swimming and looking for fish, he meets a mermaid instead. She is all alone. He welcomes her to his home and his circus family. Though she misses the ocean, she feels she has found a new family and home. With lyrical text and luminous artwork, Remarkables is a story of friendship and finding home. What a remarkable place the world is.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2019
About the author
Lisa Mantchev
36 books1,302 followersLisa Mantchev is a temporally-displaced Capricorn who casts her spells from an ancient tree in the Pacific Northwest. When not scribbling, she is by turns an earth elemental, English professor, actress, artist, and domestic goddess. She shares her abode with her husband, two children, and three hairy miscreant dogs.
She is best known as the author of the young adult fantasy trilogy, The Théâtre Illuminata. Published by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan,) the series includes the Andre Norton and Mythopoeic awards-nominated EYES LIKE STARS (2009), PERCHANCE TO DREAM (2010), and SO SILVER BRIGHT (2011.) Her Kindle #1 Bestselling young adult steampunk novel, TICKER, is available from Skyscape. Her near-future young adult collaboration with Glenn Dallas, SUGAR SKULLS, is forthcoming from Skyscape.
Her adult urban fantasy collaboration with A.L. Purol, LOST ANGELES, is now available on Kindle along with its sequel, LOOSE CANON.
Her first picture book, STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS, is now available from Paula Wiseman/S&S, to be followed by SISTER DAY! and JINX AND THE DOOM FIGHT CRIME.
Stay updated with all the fun and glitter at her author website: www.lisamantchev.com
or get your Backstage Pass by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/LisaMantchev
She is best known as the author of the young adult fantasy trilogy, The Théâtre Illuminata. Published by Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan,) the series includes the Andre Norton and Mythopoeic awards-nominated EYES LIKE STARS (2009), PERCHANCE TO DREAM (2010), and SO SILVER BRIGHT (2011.) Her Kindle #1 Bestselling young adult steampunk novel, TICKER, is available from Skyscape. Her near-future young adult collaboration with Glenn Dallas, SUGAR SKULLS, is forthcoming from Skyscape.
Her adult urban fantasy collaboration with A.L. Purol, LOST ANGELES, is now available on Kindle along with its sequel, LOOSE CANON.
Her first picture book, STRICTLY NO ELEPHANTS, is now available from Paula Wiseman/S&S, to be followed by SISTER DAY! and JINX AND THE DOOM FIGHT CRIME.
Stay updated with all the fun and glitter at her author website: www.lisamantchev.com
or get your Backstage Pass by becoming a Patron: www.patreon.com/LisaMantchev
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 23, 2021
One boy meets a mermaid. What does it take to make a home? Friends!
A Circus provides that outlet for the boy and the mermaid.
It's a beautifully illustrated story, though the message of friendship and home feels a bit muddled in the storytelling.
A Circus provides that outlet for the boy and the mermaid.
It's a beautifully illustrated story, though the message of friendship and home feels a bit muddled in the storytelling.
December 11, 2019
So the mermaid’s dream was to be put in a tank on display? Really??? While the illustrations are indeed beautiful, I wish the pictures told a different story. Full review to come.
September 11, 2019
Sweet story of finding a family and the place you belong. Deep, rich, vibrant colors bring the mermaid and the circus boy to life. "Some memories become the stories written on your heart."
October 16, 2026
Gorgeous illustrations. I don't like the capitalistic exploitation propaganda tho.
January 5, 2023
Things I liked:
-Brilliant illustrative colors
-The concept that friends can become family
-The concept of even non-typical individuals being able to find their people
Things I didn’t care for:
-Why does he have a snorkel at all if he is going to be deep underwater? They don’t work like that, and I’ve seen this in a lot of picture books. It bothers me.
-It was kinda sad that the mermaid was struck in small areas to be gawked at. It appears that she liked it, but it still feels a bit too “captive and master for me”
-I wish the mermaid had given the people a way to breathe underwater- like a magic bubble or something. My 6 year old pointed this out to me. So, this isn’t even an adult opinion.
-Brilliant illustrative colors
-The concept that friends can become family
-The concept of even non-typical individuals being able to find their people
Things I didn’t care for:
-Why does he have a snorkel at all if he is going to be deep underwater? They don’t work like that, and I’ve seen this in a lot of picture books. It bothers me.
-It was kinda sad that the mermaid was struck in small areas to be gawked at. It appears that she liked it, but it still feels a bit too “captive and master for me”
-I wish the mermaid had given the people a way to breathe underwater- like a magic bubble or something. My 6 year old pointed this out to me. So, this isn’t even an adult opinion.
September 14, 2019
I paid over the odds to get this shipped from the States as it is not currently available in England.
But I am so pleased that I did as it is an absolute treat.
The story of a young circus performer who befriends a lonely mermaid is told mainly through the artwork. Thankfully the job of creating this artwork was left to the very capable hands of David Litchfield. This book may actually contain some of Litchfield's finest illustrative work.
Lisa Mantchev is clearly an imaginative soul to have come up with the story and characters and these two new creative, literary forces combine to make a very intriguing duo and a quite outstanding picture book.
Bravo.
But I am so pleased that I did as it is an absolute treat.
The story of a young circus performer who befriends a lonely mermaid is told mainly through the artwork. Thankfully the job of creating this artwork was left to the very capable hands of David Litchfield. This book may actually contain some of Litchfield's finest illustrative work.
Lisa Mantchev is clearly an imaginative soul to have come up with the story and characters and these two new creative, literary forces combine to make a very intriguing duo and a quite outstanding picture book.
Bravo.
September 25, 2019
Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm not the intended audience of a picture book. In this case it's because I have no idea what is going on in this story. Is it a flashback? Flashforward? Dream adventure? It probably doesn't matter, but my adult brain wants to know! The illustrations are beautiful, though I was concerned that the idea of being caged was presented as the preferred way to live. At least, that's what I think was being presented...
October 31, 2019
Reminds of the magical theatrics of "Théâtre Illuminata" only made visual in well dreamy visible form! The illustration were magical and wondrous pair along side a parable about wonder + family + circus life. I did the illustrations told their own wordless story...you tell the nationalities of the different acrobats from little details like posters, flyers etc on their wall, the places the circus visits and the body language of the various characters which suggest the little, emotional things.
August 28, 2020
What a stunningly beautiful book. I had to immediately share with all of my mom friends and fellow writers. The text moves the story along in a natural way and really gives the main character agency. She is empowered to make her own choices and who doesn't love a happy ending! The illustrations are enchanting!
September 8, 2019
Stunning illustrations.
September 21, 2019
Beautiful illustrations.
September 27, 2019
Unbelievable illustrations, but a strange flow to the story didn’t connect with me.
October 16, 2019
The story of a boy who meets a mermaid and they join the circus. This story is told mainly through rich, vibrant artwork.
October 22, 2019
Gorgeous illustrations and lovely message. The text felt a little off and I'm not sure if kids will connect with it.
November 6, 2019
The description of the book tells the story better than the book does. I really couldn't see how a child will understand the concept of the story. It felt vague.
November 16, 2019
Simple text leaves a lot of room for interpretation and imagination. And the illustrations are just gorgeous.
January 8, 2020
PJ story time 01-08-2020
April 22, 2020
3 stars for story, 4 stars for art!
August 13, 2020
A beautifully illustrated exploration of odd friendship
to remind us of everyday connection.
to remind us of everyday connection.
July 2, 2021
Beautiful Illustrations
August 29, 2021
Did not love illustrations but story was great
January 8, 2022
A mermaid falls in love and her world becomes a little bit bigger.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2022
Keeping the mermaid in a world of freedom, just where they belong.
May 10, 2023
Una historia diferente con un giro hermoso e imágenes preciosas
May 22, 2023
When a boy meets a mermaid and they become friends, their dreams of joining a circus become reality. Rich illustrations set the mood for this fantastical tale.
December 12, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
January 13, 2024
A mermaid is free but wants to be put on display in a tiny aquarium? I thought that was rather odd. The artwork was very beautiful in this book, but I wasn't so sure about the story.
March 17, 2024
Very cute
Love the cuteness of the story and the simplicity of it. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Love the cuteness of the story and the simplicity of it. I look forward to reading more by this author.
August 12, 2024
Very cute with a sweet message of found family. Wonderful for kids and adults alike.
October 20, 2026
A short story about a boy finding a mermaid and a mermaid finding a new home.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews