The Secret History of Mermaids

The Secret Histories

by Ari Berk

From the loremaster who brought us THE SECRET HISTORY OF GIANTS comes an intriguing new chronicle revealing the mysterious ways of merfolk.

Since ancient times, seafarers and coast-dwellers the world over have reported encounters with merpeople. Variously known as Finfolk, Dinny Mara, Nereids, Blue Men, and Merrymaids, merfolk have been the source of both gifts and disasters for humankind. Now a lavishly illustrated resource offers insight into the lives, origins, language, and magic of these elusive peoples. Like a siren’s song, this fascinating tome is sure to enthrall all who fall under its spell. Special features include:
— paper novelties — including sundry flaps, booklets, and gatefolds
— a lavish cover with foil, embossing, and glittery jewels

Genres: Mermaids, Fantasy, Mythology, Fairy Tales, Childrens, Middle Grade, Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Ari Berk is a writer, artist, and scholar of literature, folklore, and myth. Former student of and assistant to Pulitzer Prize winning writer N. Scott Momaday, Ari has written everything from academic works on ancient cultures to popular books about myths and legends for children and adults and, most recently, a trilogy of novels. He works in a library filled to the ceiling with thousands of arcane books and more than a few wondrous artifacts. When not writing, he moonlights as professor of mythology and folklore at Central Michigan University. He lives in Michigan with his wife and son. Visit him at www.ariberk.com.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comes at mermaid lore from an anthropological perspective (with a given that merpeople are really real). This was a fun and factual sort of book that ten-year-old me would have really appreciated. There weren't as many full spread pictures of mermaids as I prefer in my picture books about mermaids, but there was a lot of care and detail that went into this book. It also has many interactive elements and was really well made.

[Lenno Vranken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this one as my first book of september, 2024.
I was a big fan of the over-all look and feel of this book. It contains a bunch of beautiful illustrations and has a thick paper quality with many flaps and dubble pages (wich will especially appeal to younger children, I think).
So, I really enjoyed the fact that this book speaks so clearly to the imagination. I've discovered that this is actually part of a series, so I wonder what the other books are like.
I would have given this book a full five stars if it had a more "realistic" approach to mermaids and fantastical sea creatures, for example: going into the real history behind mermaid encounters and talking about how to connect with energies of the sea. Alot of the texts in this book are clearly made up. However, I can see that this book's main target audience are younger children and the illustrations look beautiful, so I won't be to harsh on the latter subject anymore then is needed.
I'm still happy to have this in my collection!

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book at a aquarium months ago but I finally had the time to read through it. I liked it but it wasn't perfect.

This is a fiction work structured as a secret organization's study; don't confuse those categories please. I love these types of books because when they are well done they are a balance of real life legends, myths, or folklore and historical events with the author's imagination. It is clear that Ari Berk had a wonderful imagination that has crafted a deep world.

The pages are very thick because they are used to support fun interactive features on some of the pages. There are lift-up sections which have further information (except for one which is oddly blank) and fold out pages that can be one, two, or three folds long. I was sad that these interactive features were not on every page because that would have made it more fun to read alone or with another person (particularly kids).

I really liked the drawing by Anderson, Chalk, Dangler, and Lee. Some of the images were a bit difficult to see clearly because of the colors chosen but that also forced me to spend more time looking at them. I wish I knew which images were created by which illustrator.

[Leoni_csh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wunderschöne Aufmachung und Illustrationen! Ich finde es ist eine schöne Idee die Geschichten als Sachbuch zu verpacken. Da es ein Kinderbuch ist, finde ich den schreibstil etwas zu schwierig

[A.R. Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though I felt the line between fiction and myth/fact (i.e. factual evidence of how the myths came about and what they have inspired), and I wasn't keen on a few of the font choices, I found this book really enjoyable. I know ten times more about merfolk now than I used to. It's all very interesting, and engagingly put together with easy-to-process sections. The illustrations are essential for full understanding, and work very well with the text.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fascinating to learn about the history of mermaids and sirens. It had wonderful lore stories and gave me inspiration for future drawings.

[Starbubbles · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could say that I enjoyed this. Kids would probably enjoy it, just not me. Beautifully drawn, very creative, but the facts were hard to pick out from the author's imagination. Not that kids care about that. But yeah, it was like 40 pgs and I couldn't finish it. The text font and dark coloring on the page, coupled with confusing information about mermaids, and possibly mythology, made reading difficult.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations, but I was disapointed with this due to the font used throughout (tiny and curly, often a dark blue on a black background?) which made it too difficult to read.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is beautifully and expensively made with a jeweled cover, foldouts, and art from 4 different artists. It’s a feast for the eyes
BUT the text is not particularly reader friendly. It sounds like an engineer/economist wrote it.
They lost me on the first page with “ The Order’s Ancient and Honorable Oceanic Council”.
AND The first paragraph inflicts “the earth is dying and it’s your fault” guilt upon you.
If you like text books and The Lord of the Rings, you may enjoy reading this. Otherwise it’s a blast to look through. The 2 page color artwork by Virginia Lee (?) is particularly beautiful.

[Dimitra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το βιβλιαράκι αυτό το όμορφο μου το χάρισε ένας πολύ καλός φίλος, γιατί πολύ απλά το βρήκε πολύ όμορφο.
Και όντως ήταν! Αν και παιδικό βιβλίο, ήταν μια ευχάριστη εμπειρία που σίγουρα αν ήμουν παιδί θα το είχα απολαύσει πολύ περισσότερο!
Ως ενήλικη βρήκα σημεία που θα μπορούσαν να είναι καλύτερα δομημένα αλλά δε θα τα αναλύσω, καθώς δε το βρίσκω δίκαιο να το κρίνω με το βαρετό ενήλικο μυαλό μου.
Όμορφο βιβλίο, με πολλές ιδέες για να ταξιδέψουν τους μικρούς αναγνώστες και ένα μικρό στολίδι για τη δική μου βιβλιοθήκη.

[VintageShake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this on my trip in West Virginia, I read it at the cabin that my family rented, and it hit me at the perfect time between the Summer of Elementary School and Middle School. I was obsessed with roleplays and mermaids were something that I really liked. I think that if I re-read this book that I would still find enjoyment in it, it was very well made, and perhaps the nostalgia would also kick my enjoyment up.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting compendium of all things related to merfolk. Some of the topics include "Merfolk Origins," "Appearance and Anatomy," 'Language and Communication," and "Merfolk Villages." The author also discusses artifacts, weapons, and relations between merfolk and land humans. The book is beautifully illustrated by Wayne Anderson, Gary Chalk, Matt Dangler, and Virginia Lee.

[Glinda Marsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books are fun to re-read because you learn something new each time, and this is such a book.
Experience the magical world of merfolks. There are curses, mermaid songs, and sea enchantments to delight readers. The book is full of lavish art and popup information.

[Miguel Vega · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting book overall. I really liked it and the art in this was fantastic. Really interesting.

[Analia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a great book

[smaranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated enchanting stories. A fond childhood memory, wish I could find my old copy of it...

[Olive Arianna E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty bewk 🥺👉👈

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!

[livvie🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

perfect to read on the beach before playing mermaids w your friends

4/5

[Ronesa Aveela · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book. The cover is gorgeous, and the inside pages contain a vast amount of information about mermaids, and a little about other sea creatures. The pages all like those in popup stories. Although this book is not at all what I was expecting, it is something I'll treasure. I love the twist on "known" information about mermaids, and how our human knowledge of them is directed by the Order of the Golden Quills and Merfolk.

[Maari · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best books i have ever rea in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Amy Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book!!! I got it from my schools librarian(she loves me), she got it for her younger girls who love mermaids but she didn't want to show topless mermaids to them. It has great "info" if you like to learn about mythology!!!(and I love to learn and read about mythology)!! Recommend to older girls!!!!!!

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me a lot of Wizardology and Fairyopolis. It was written in such a way as to resemble field guides of real animals. It talked about anatomy, habitat and habits of many mythological undersea creatures. The illustrations were glorious, and there were many fun lift the flap and insert elements. A highly enjoyable book.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

[‎Thursday, ‎March ‎22, ‎2012] I only now knew about this book! I NEED to get it! I LOVE mermaids!! I loved the Giants book so I'm sure I will love this one!

[Monday, June 3, 2013] I just finished reading this beautiful book and all I could think about is mermaids... what magical creatures.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully made, absolutely charming- a little gem of a book!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. A little scary in points. But charming illustrations

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9 y.o. really enjoyed this book. She came back to it several times during the course of a week and spoke about it without prompting.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9 year old self would have relished this book. And I will not be judged for my currently-aged self enjoying it too.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

it s a lot like the ology books that i use to read all the time. It was pretty neat, some of the legends I hadn't heard of before, or heard as a different magical race..

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️
So ein wunderschönes Buch!