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Coral
Three very different mermaid friends learn to coexist, in a companion story to Pearl.
Coral, Filly, and Manta live on a sunlit reef teeming with sea life. When Coral comes upon an empty hollow at the heart of the reef and tries to keep it as her very own, Filly and Manta are banished. All that grows in the wake of her anger is regret, and Coral must find a way to turn the tide...but she can't do it alone.
Coral, Filly, and Manta live on a sunlit reef teeming with sea life. When Coral comes upon an empty hollow at the heart of the reef and tries to keep it as her very own, Filly and Manta are banished. All that grows in the wake of her anger is regret, and Coral must find a way to turn the tide...but she can't do it alone.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 19, 2020
3 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Molly Idle
45 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 85 reviews
September 9, 2020
Coral lives with her two mermaid friends under the ocean, quite happily. Then Coral discovers a spot that she want to keep for only herself alone. She throws a fit and sends her friends off. Almost immediately she regrets her decision to banish them. Her friends return at her bidding and appear to accept her, with forgiveness.
Lovely colors. Perhaps a lesson learned too easily, though.
Lovely colors. Perhaps a lesson learned too easily, though.
August 1, 2020
Again, beautiful artwork. I checked this out from the library, but I'm going to have to buy both this book and her book "Pearl." Just beautiful!
June 12, 2020
A simple story illustrated with Idle's luminous and fluid style that I love.
The three mer-folk share and care for a beautiful underwater world, a coral reef. The survival of this remarkable world depends on the success of all the creatures to maintain a healthy balance. Greed and anger "bleach" the color from the main character, Coral, who recognizes her role in causing damage and her role in bringing things back into balance.
Even very young audiences will appreciate the images and the apparent main plot, but slightly oder readers might enjoy learning more about the state of coral reefs and ways they can be damaged and rescued.
The three mer-folk share and care for a beautiful underwater world, a coral reef. The survival of this remarkable world depends on the success of all the creatures to maintain a healthy balance. Greed and anger "bleach" the color from the main character, Coral, who recognizes her role in causing damage and her role in bringing things back into balance.
Even very young audiences will appreciate the images and the apparent main plot, but slightly oder readers might enjoy learning more about the state of coral reefs and ways they can be damaged and rescued.
November 26, 2019
I just didn't love this one like I love most of Idle's books. Something about the color palette was off to me and the story was too message-y.
May 22, 2020
I have been a fan of Molly Idle since Flora And the Flamingos so I might be a little biased here since I started out loving this book before it was in my hands. My overall impression since I now have read it jacket to jacket multiple times is that I can't wait to share this with the children in my library storytimes. The story, art, and overall presentation exceeded my already high expectations.
The case size is slightly smaller and rectangular in shape which is different than the Flora series, but it still works for a group setting and is perfect for that snuggly one on one bedtime reading. The pages are a heavy paper which feels expensive and that you have something special in your hands.
Coral's plot involves how she deals with her emotions when the other mermaids invade a space that she wants just for herself. Idle handles this "teachable" moment with a grace that allows the book not to stray into didactic or preachy territory. In my literacy training we would call this a book that respects the child audience without talking down to them. It allows the child to work through Coral's problem with her and not in spite of her. The text presents the story, but the art follows through.
The color palate is a just shy of primary red, blue and yellow on a sea of greenish blue seas. Each mermaid has their own primary color, Coral's of course is a beautiful shade and tone of red. My absolute favorite thing about the illustrations is how Idle removes the color the more agitated Coral becomes until the "white hot" anger leaves both mermaid and ocean only in white. Awesome!
This story is immediately going into my story rotations. I was looking to present an ocean storytime virtually this summer and this story will be an amazing addition to that presentation. I will imagine that I will be reading this one with children for many years to come.
The case size is slightly smaller and rectangular in shape which is different than the Flora series, but it still works for a group setting and is perfect for that snuggly one on one bedtime reading. The pages are a heavy paper which feels expensive and that you have something special in your hands.
Coral's plot involves how she deals with her emotions when the other mermaids invade a space that she wants just for herself. Idle handles this "teachable" moment with a grace that allows the book not to stray into didactic or preachy territory. In my literacy training we would call this a book that respects the child audience without talking down to them. It allows the child to work through Coral's problem with her and not in spite of her. The text presents the story, but the art follows through.
The color palate is a just shy of primary red, blue and yellow on a sea of greenish blue seas. Each mermaid has their own primary color, Coral's of course is a beautiful shade and tone of red. My absolute favorite thing about the illustrations is how Idle removes the color the more agitated Coral becomes until the "white hot" anger leaves both mermaid and ocean only in white. Awesome!
This story is immediately going into my story rotations. I was looking to present an ocean storytime virtually this summer and this story will be an amazing addition to that presentation. I will imagine that I will be reading this one with children for many years to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2020
There are a very few things in this world I love most: mermaids, Molly Idle's illustrations, Molly Idle's cherubic little chubby faces, Molly Idle's mermaids. I have been looking forward to this book since the moment I heard it announced and I am so relieved to not be disappointed by it!
This book is filled with so many good messages about environmental responsibility, self-regulation, social-emotional learning, and friendship. This book is gentle and sweet and sure to be a favorite for many young readers. But, mostly, let's just talk about the illustrations. Coral, Filly, and Manta are three distinct looking mermaids who all have a signature Molly Idle-ness to them. The color schemes are gorgeous and to see how all three mermaids come together to create the reef is an awesome visual literacy clue to point out to young readers.
Completely satisfied with this sweet ocean tale.
This book is filled with so many good messages about environmental responsibility, self-regulation, social-emotional learning, and friendship. This book is gentle and sweet and sure to be a favorite for many young readers. But, mostly, let's just talk about the illustrations. Coral, Filly, and Manta are three distinct looking mermaids who all have a signature Molly Idle-ness to them. The color schemes are gorgeous and to see how all three mermaids come together to create the reef is an awesome visual literacy clue to point out to young readers.
Completely satisfied with this sweet ocean tale.
November 12, 2020
Three mermaids make their home together. Coral takes care of the coral reef, Filly takes care of the fish, and Manta takes care of the rays and sharks to come to the reef. Together they keep things in balance and healthy. But when Coral spots a new empty spot and decides she doesn't want to share it with the other two, will she ruin everything?
This very much reads as a fable for how all the creatures in a coral reef ecosystem need each other with a moral about how selfishness hurts not just one person but several people. It's a great little lesson for kids told in a way that is very easy to understand and creative. I love the way Idle used color to communicate emotions in this. And her illustrations are gorgeous as always. Recommended for fantasy fans, fable fans, mermaid fans, and parents/teachers looking for a good ecosystem or anit-selfishness read for littles.
This very much reads as a fable for how all the creatures in a coral reef ecosystem need each other with a moral about how selfishness hurts not just one person but several people. It's a great little lesson for kids told in a way that is very easy to understand and creative. I love the way Idle used color to communicate emotions in this. And her illustrations are gorgeous as always. Recommended for fantasy fans, fable fans, mermaid fans, and parents/teachers looking for a good ecosystem or anit-selfishness read for littles.
July 18, 2023
Challenges: Just Read June (finish a series started in 2023); Reading Goal Posts/Stacking the Series - Category 22/23 (series started in 2023); Reading Goal Posts/ Author Oeuvre - Molly Ilde: 7/13 titles. Author/illustrator uses Prismacolor pencils on vellum treated Bristol paper to create these gentle illustrations that flow in the soft and deep colors of the sea. Idle combines her love for mermaids, marine biology and illustration to create a story that demonstrates how important responsibilities involve collaboration among all those who contribute their special part to the whole. A beautiful story of three charming little mermaids who resemble each realm of the sea for which each of them steward: a little coral mermaid (Coral, the coral reef), a little ray mermaid (Manta, the sharks and rays), and a little seahorse mermaid (Filly, the fishes). A must for any child's shelf.
June 30, 2025
I love Molly Idle's art. It's gorgeous. I love all of her books. But this one got a bit mixed up on the message.
Coral, Filly, and Manta live on a coral reef and take care of different aspects of it. One day Coral finds a spot in the reef she wants for her very own. When Filly and Manta want to join her, she sends them away. When she sees that all the fish have left the reef, Coral realizes it was all her fault and apologizes to her friends. They continue on as before as happy friends caring for the reef together.
God forbid Coral be an introvert who wants her alone time in her own space! What? I see the message the author was trying to get across, but it wasn't told right. It seems to be saying you must be with your friends all the time and never be alone. And that's quite toxic, actually. Filly and Manta need to respect Coral's boundaries.
Coral, Filly, and Manta live on a coral reef and take care of different aspects of it. One day Coral finds a spot in the reef she wants for her very own. When Filly and Manta want to join her, she sends them away. When she sees that all the fish have left the reef, Coral realizes it was all her fault and apologizes to her friends. They continue on as before as happy friends caring for the reef together.
God forbid Coral be an introvert who wants her alone time in her own space! What? I see the message the author was trying to get across, but it wasn't told right. It seems to be saying you must be with your friends all the time and never be alone. And that's quite toxic, actually. Filly and Manta need to respect Coral's boundaries.
November 10, 2020
Not as strong a 4 as some of her other books, but the art still rounds it up. The story itself is a little heavy-handed with its message of friendship and cooperation, how everyone has their part to play (with a touch of environmental overtones). But, heavy-handed or not, it's still a solid message - being different but still important, still friends. The star of the show is - as always - Idle's illustrations. I love them!! The sweeping, soft lines, the way the colors pop and play and flow, the adorable character designs... Pretty much any of her books are just a treat for the eyes. For a storytime, it's a quick read for mermaids, or oceans, or friendship or cooperation - quite a few themes this would fit in with.
August 31, 2020
Coral is a beautifully illustrated picture book about three mermaids that share a sunlit reef, but when Coral finds a hollowed-out space in the heart of the reef she decides to keep it a secret from her mermaid sisters, Filly and Manta.
This is an adorable story with a great lesson about sharing and amazingly unique illustrations that portray mermaids as a bit more fish-like than human-like and I LOVED it! The mermaids are adorable and unique to their names, each a different color and style. The pale, pastel underwater views and colorful reef make this such a peaceful and calming story and so lovely to look at!
This is an adorable story with a great lesson about sharing and amazingly unique illustrations that portray mermaids as a bit more fish-like than human-like and I LOVED it! The mermaids are adorable and unique to their names, each a different color and style. The pale, pastel underwater views and colorful reef make this such a peaceful and calming story and so lovely to look at!
March 19, 2021
I would like to thank Hachette Canada for sending me a copy of Coral in exchange for an honest review.
First, I need to say that the art in this book is stunning. It's so incredibly beautiful. Second, it's a story about mermaids. I mean, how could I not love it. Three mermaids, Coral, Filly and Manta create and tend to the reef. Coral in an act of selfishness, banishes Filly and Manta, as she wishes to keep part of the reef to herself. Feelings of regret, loneliness and guilt immediately take root in Coral and she seeks her friends to make things right. This story is as beautiful as its art.
First, I need to say that the art in this book is stunning. It's so incredibly beautiful. Second, it's a story about mermaids. I mean, how could I not love it. Three mermaids, Coral, Filly and Manta create and tend to the reef. Coral in an act of selfishness, banishes Filly and Manta, as she wishes to keep part of the reef to herself. Feelings of regret, loneliness and guilt immediately take root in Coral and she seeks her friends to make things right. This story is as beautiful as its art.
May 4, 2025
Though simplistic in nature, I did greatly enjoy reading this book. The art style alone is what drew me to it, reminding me of something out of Fantasia. As someone who has two younger sisters, I could relate very well to Coral's frustrations. It was more often than not that I'd find myself out of space when I really just wanted to be alone. However, it was when I was all alone that I realized it was more fun to play with my two sisters than with my own imagination. While the lesson of sharing with family and enjoying time spent together isn't usually a hard-learned one beyond a child's reach, I think that simple messages are important all the same.
April 24, 2025
Review:
I love Molly Idle’s artwork and had to grab this one when I saw it! It was cute and I enjoyed that she focused on working together as well as friends that are family. I liked that though all three friends are mentioned the story really focused on one of the three for the actual storyline.
Summary:
Coral and her two mermaid friends live together on the reef with the various sea life. But when Coral finds a small quiet place she wants it all to herself and forbids her friends from being there. But when they accept her wishes, Coral discovers just how lonely it can be…
I love Molly Idle’s artwork and had to grab this one when I saw it! It was cute and I enjoyed that she focused on working together as well as friends that are family. I liked that though all three friends are mentioned the story really focused on one of the three for the actual storyline.
Summary:
Coral and her two mermaid friends live together on the reef with the various sea life. But when Coral finds a small quiet place she wants it all to herself and forbids her friends from being there. But when they accept her wishes, Coral discovers just how lonely it can be…
October 1, 2020
An endearing and very pretty book about community being more important (and nourishing) than individualism. While this story of three mermaids is definitely visually appealing and tells a good story with a strong moral, it felt like it was over before it started-- it would've been nice to have a few more plot points in there to really develop the story.
Themes: Mermaid, Ocean, Community, Social Emotional, Connection, Sharing
Age range: 2-6
Themes: Mermaid, Ocean, Community, Social Emotional, Connection, Sharing
Age range: 2-6
March 12, 2023
Coral thinks that she can have her own little slice of the undersea world to herself until she realizes that she needs her friends Filly and Manta in the reef. Their teamwork and interdependence works to keep everything humming along and she apologizes to her friends.
Again, the use of the undersea colors and her creature creations are amazing to see on the page and the story has heart as well as an environmental theme.
Again, the use of the undersea colors and her creature creations are amazing to see on the page and the story has heart as well as an environmental theme.
November 28, 2025
As always with Molly Idle, the illustrations are absolutely and brilliantly beautiful. But if I’m completely honest I think this one went over my head. I had to look up what cays and shoals were. I was confused by the personifications of the mermaids and the text didn’t feel quite right.
Possibly this one just isn’t for me, and the thing that can make Idle’s work so stunning is the reason this one doesn’t resonate?
Possibly this one just isn’t for me, and the thing that can make Idle’s work so stunning is the reason this one doesn’t resonate?
September 20, 2020
I would like to see an animated series with the mermaids from Coral. One is part coral reef, one part seahorse, and the last is part manta ray. What a clever take on the traditional half fish tail, half human girl- with flowy hair and a seashell bra.
Too bad the story is overly simplistic and didactic.
Too bad the story is overly simplistic and didactic.
November 17, 2020
Coral, Filly, and Manta each have their job to do under the sea. They fill the sea with coral, fish, and sharks. Coral wishes to have a piece of the sea to herself and lashes out in anger at the other two. She quickly realizes that all three need each other and must work together.
Beautiful illustrations, but I found the story to be a little lacking.
Beautiful illustrations, but I found the story to be a little lacking.
December 31, 2020
Molly Idle is one of my favorite picture book author/illustrators! The pages are so colorful and there’s always a beautiful story, words or no. Coral is a great book for preschoolers and kindergartners I feel like. Lessons about sharing and friendship with a subtle attention to environmental issues. I bought this one for my niece for Christmas!
January 29, 2021
I think this book showed up when I did a subject search on mermaids at my city library. I guess the little spirits of the coral reef and its denizens are kind of like mermaids? My first-grader enjoyed the story of how friends depend on each other. I like the basic ecological principle of interconnectedness that it teaches.
February 4, 2021
The gorgeous illustrations in Molly Idle's CORAL convey so much of the beautiful story of sharing and friendship between three mermaids. Learning how to make a house a home, a neighborhood a community, and acquaintances into friends is all at the core of this truly stunning picture book.
February 25, 2023
I chose this book to read to my son that is in love with all things mermaid and he loved it. Both him and his brother were able to identify different fish in the illustrations, recognized the different mermaids, and were even able to point out and name colors on the pages.
It is a really sweet story and wonderfully engaging for young audiences.
It is a really sweet story and wonderfully engaging for young audiences.
August 31, 2023
Borrowed from the library for my toddler under 2. This book didn’t hold my toddler’s interest. I think it would be better suited to the 3+ range. The story itself is simple, charming and offers the opportunity to talk about sharing. It is also a good conversation starter about the interconnection between environmental systems. I love the colourful and cheerful illustrations.
June 15, 2020
These mermaids are so ADORABLE. The illustrations alone are a win but the story of Coral who finds an amazing home she doesn't want to share was such a good one. She realizes that no matter how wonderful a place is, there is no joy there without friends/family.
June 24, 2020
We need each other, and we do better as a team. Interesting that Coral turned white in the heat of anger and drove her friends away. I think that when coral dies, it turns white? Then the reef cannot sustain life anymore.
August 21, 2020
I adore Molly Idle's illustrations and whimsical mermaids. The story of this one felt a bit didactic--the mermaids who tend the reef, fish, and sharks get into an argument, and only when they work together is their corner of the ocean in balance once more.
October 16, 2020
Lovely illustrations of a pastel-casted seascape fit the oceanic story. The message: keeping something special to yourself and isolating yourself from friends is never a good idea. My first grader didn't like the book, but I thought it was a good bedtime read.
November 20, 2020
I love Molly Idle’s illustrations. A sweet fable (?) of three mermaids and selfishness. Someone learns a lesson, it has a happy ending. The overarching moral isn’t new, but the story in the page is. Plus, it’s pretty.
April 8, 2021
Three mermaids learn to work together and trust each other to make a healthy coral reef.
Prefect for littles who like mermaids. Strong show of the importance of team work and working together. Fun illustrations but I still felt like I wanted a tad more from them.
Prefect for littles who like mermaids. Strong show of the importance of team work and working together. Fun illustrations but I still felt like I wanted a tad more from them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews