Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon

Tales of Pixie Hollow #5

by Lisa Papademetriou, Judith H. Clarke (Illustrator)

Rani doesn't fit in. Ever since she had to cut off her wings to save Mother Dove, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with the water talent fairies. In fact, without wings, she doesn’t feel like she belongs with any fairies at all. Rani sets off on a perilous journey to find a home, a journey that leads her underwater, deep into the lagoon, where the mermaids live. Maybe there Rani will discover who her true friends are!

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Fairies, Middle Grade, Fiction, Chapter Books, Mermaids

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Bestselling author Lisa Papademetriou is the author of the 'Confectionately Yours' series, 'Middle School: Big, Fat Liar' and 'Homeroom Diaries' (both with James Patterson), and many other novels for middle grade and young adult readers. Her books have appeared on the Bank Street Best Books of the Year list, the NYPL Books for the Teen Age, and the Texas Lone Star Reading List, among others. A former editor, Lisa has worked for Scholastic, HarperCollins, and DisneyPress, and holds an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts. HarperCollins will publish her next novel, 'A Tale of Highly Unusual Magic', in October 2015.

Reviews

[Euodias · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fascinated by mermaids and this book was one of my favourite books as a child! The illustrations were beautiful as well.

[mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO ONE IN THIS MOTHERFUCKER DESERVES RANI

[R.]

So cute✨

[Coralie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved Rain. And I never understood why they Disney films chose to use Silvermist (a side character) to represent the water-talent fairies over Rani when Rani has been a main character from the very beginning of the stories! (I suspect now it's because explaining why Rani doesn't have wings would take too long, but it would make for an epic story! If you're interested, see Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg).

We all know how much I love mermaids XD So I relate to Rani's adoration of them! And I really love the unique look at mermaids in both Levine's trilogy and consequently throughout the Disney Fairies series here.

Rani has the unique ability to swim--something no other fairy can do. This is both an incredible delight for the water-talent fairy and her greatest sorrow for the deep sacrifice it cost her (again, see Levine's book for more details). So it's fitting that her story focuses on an underwater adventure in the mermaid world!

But the story digs so much deeper than you might expect. The shallowness of the mermaids highlights a deeper truth that Rani must learn. Because of her winglessness, Rani struggles to contribute to the fairy society in ways she used to and in ways all the other fairies do. She's much like Prilla in that way. Neither quite fit in. And Rani must learn where her true value lies.

The story delves into themes of value, worth, and belonging. As well as the theme of contrasting cultures and how different people can be. Themes that ring true to so very many hearts, and a fantastic way to share with kiddos what loyalty, depth, talent, and friendship should look like. A great read!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

My little friend, Lexie, loaned me her "Fairies" books. This is the first one I've read. It is a sweet, easy story. Rani isn't like other fairies, so she feels left out and lonely. She runs away and ends up at the Mermaid Lagoon. Here she finds out that life isn't as bad as she thought it is, and that no matter how nice different things are, and how exciting adventures are, there just isn't any place as sweet as home. I enjoyed reading this book. I will be reading more of the Fairies series in the future.

[Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Podejrzane były te syreny od początku

[Layal souss · Rating 3 out of 5]

i like it so mush because it remember me of my childhood book

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

the world building in this one ate DOWN. The fairy circle dance imagery? The mermaid world? Rani's bubble necklace and bubble messages? the FOUNTAIN Raini made only bc she was a fairy w/o wings?? Ate downnn. Also mermaids suck... except Sangonomiya Kokomi <33

[Abe Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

If anyone hurts my girl Rani again they can catch these fists

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever my rani 🤍

[Huda Al-Mossalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best ones so far

[Makenzie Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!! I loved the adventure, the artwork, the descriptions, all of it! This also has great lessons in it about friendship, being yourself, and seeing your strengths!

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good, but Vidia Meets Her Match is better.

[Pixie &#x1f35c; · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rani was always my fave please don’t judge me I’m very depressed guys lol

[Sofia Rossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

YO FUCK THOSE OTHER FAIRIES

[Pegaunimoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got stranded with no books due to Easter library closures, so had a fossick in my bookcase and read 4 of the Disney fairy books:
- Rani and the mermaid lagoon
-Rani and the three treasures
-Lilly’s pesky plant
-Beck beyond then sea
Argh! So gorgeous! So wholesome! And the illustrations! Mwah!! So sublime and diaphanous. Why can’t more books have pictures? Anyway happy I revisited my childhood books. Next time I’ll read the rainbow magic fairy books, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redford, Fetlocks Hall, how to train your dragon, the magic faraway tree… maybe I should exclusively read children’s books when I’m back home

[多奈 · Rating 4 out of 5]

610 L at lexile.com

One of the book that I read it in Japanese before.
I got reading slump so it was hard for me to read for a week but I was able to finish it.

I love Rani so much and I love that mermaid and Peter Pan are actually in here as well.

[eeva · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ultimate childhood comfort book <3

[peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

i feel like the plot isn’t great but the art is GORGEOUS

[Meilana Elkington]

my FAVORITE book as a kid!

[Corinne · Rating 5 out of 5]

my girl rani was done dirty

[Marta Węglarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

JEJU JA TO CZYTAŁAM W PIERWSZEJ KLASIE

[ana clara]

I loved this one! After sacrificing her wings, Rani is still trying to get used to her new reality. Still as talented as ever, but unable to fly and work as the other fairies, she's having trouble finding her place and feeling useful and wanted.
I loved getting to meet Rani better (I'm yet to read the story of Rani, Prilla, and Vidia's adventure to save Neverland). She's so sweet, talented, broken, and relatable. And as Tinker Bell said, she lights up Pixie Hollow. I loved reading her adventure/journey that led her back home, but stronger. Up until now, Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon is my favorite Pixie Hollow tale by far.
Also, the illustrations are SO gorgeous in this book. I'm in love with how beautiful they all are.

[andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book from “The Tales of Pixie Hollow” series was this one. I fell absolutely in love with this world as a child, and Rani will always hold the dearest place in my heart. 🩵

[Juliet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memories were unlocked

[Nashalee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Rani in the Mermaid Lagoon"
4/5
1) If you thought the fairies were problematic with their fads, wait 'til you meet the mermaids of Neverland.
2) Some fairies are just plain rude, Vidia is REAL.
3) Water-talent faeries: canon crybabies

"Fira and the Full Moon"
5/5
1) Love that mine-talent faeries are super chill in tight conditions.
2) Mine-talent faeries are also built different! (shorter, and smaller wings)
3) I would ship Fira and Orren :)
4) Fira has one of the prettiest rooms <3

"A Masterpiece for Bess"
3/5
1) I'm not gonna lie, the more I learn about the background fairies, the more I relate to Vidia because they are getting on my nerves with how unmindful they are!
2) Vidia dropping hard wisdom here.
3) Quill is super cute! Where is her book?
4) Hem is also hella cute!

"Tink, North of Neverland
3/5
1) Tink and Terence are such a cute couple. He likes her sooo much. She should appreciate him more :(
2) Love seeing all the girls being happy in their element and willing to include Terence when he's sad.
3) Why do we have to include Peter Pan here? Girl, let go of your past. He was toxic.

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

read April 7, 2025 - April 7, 2025: 4 stars

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!! Delightful.

[Divya]

Oh man. I remember reading this as a child. The illustrations are so stunning, and the feeling of nostalgia this gives me is like a warm hug.

[W.Poszukiwaniu.Pseudonimu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Czasami w życiu trzeba podjąć trudną decyzję, niejasną i wpływającą na resztę życia, przed takim właśnie wyborem stanęła złotowłosa Rani wodna wróżka, lecz to zupełnie inna historia, ta książka opowiada jak wygląda jej życie znacznie później, gdy emocje opadły, adrenalina wystygła, a bohaterski czyn stał się elementem codzienności. W tym tomie płaczliwa (trzeba pamiętać, że wszystkie wodne wróżki są bardzo emocjonalne i zawsze noszą przy sobie kilka liścianych chusteczek) wróżka prowadzi dzieci przez bardzo trudny temat jakim w pewnym sensie jest niepełnosprawność, jako jedyna elfa nie ma skrzydeł, nie może już brać udział w tańcu wróżek tak jak dotychczas czy wykorzystać swój talent, aby zrobić najpiękniejsza wodną fontannę, ponieważ aby latać musi korzystać z pomocy brata Gołębia, który nie jest w stanie tak szybko latać, jednocześnie nie burząc formacji. W wyniku wypadku i ostrych słów Widi, Rani wybucha płaczem i ucieka z przystani elfów, bowiem szybkolotna wróżka potwierdziła jej najgorsze myśli, czując się samotna, nie rozumiana i pozbawiona talentu, decyduje się na szaloną podróż, jeszcze nie wie, że to początek drogi do zrozumienia i pogodzenia się ze sobą. Dziecko poznając historię Rani ma szansę, zobaczyć jak wyglądają myśli i uczucia osoby, która chce bardzo pasować do towarzystwa, ale z uwagi na niezależne od niego/niej rzeczy nie potrafi lub nie może być już taką samą osobę jak wcześniej. Książka przekazuje dwie cenne wartości zrozumienie i empatia, zarówno do siebie jak i osób postronnych.