Emerald and the Ocean Parade

Emerald #1

by Harriet Muncaster

Emerald is learning how to be a mermaid princess, but she doesn't feel like one at all. Will she be able to appear with the King and Queen at the annual Ocean Parade, and still stay true to herself?

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Friendship, Family

160 pages, Hardcover

Published March 7, 2024

About the author

Harriet Muncaster studied illustration at Norwich University College of the Arts before going on to get an MA in children’s book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art. In creating the art for her first book for children, she was thrilled to have found a good outlet for her lifelong fascination with miniatures. She lives in Hertfordshire, England.

Reviews

[Annelies Van Den Meerschaut]

Begrijp het enthousiasme voor deze reeks niet. Zeemeerminnen die in een Zeestoet mee moeten of juist niet? de kleuren spreken niet aan, betwijfel of kinderen de kleuren wel leuk vinden. ik behoor niet tot de doelgroep. Staat in onze schoolbieb, maar alleen omdat het een gratis boekje was.

Echter er zullen vast kinderen in groep 4 of 5 zijn die het leuk vinden om over zeemeerminnen te lezen.

[Dayanna Katherine Reyes Copajita]

Una buena lectura ligera, excelente para niños o adultos desparchados,

[Bookread2day]

https://bookread2day.wordpress.com/20...

Today I’m giving a huge shout out about this this special book Emerald and the Ocean Parade book 1, by the author Harriet Muncaster, it’s absolutely fabulously illustrated with the most amazing story. I’ve never read such an amazing girlie book in my entire life! I’m now following closely author Harriet Muncaster to keep up to date with the new upcoming books.

Every single girl will want to read the whole collection of books by children’s author Harriet Muncaster, who has several books out for children of the Isadora Moon books that are for young children from the ages 5 to 12 years olds. But I’m adult and l absolutely love all the books and want to read them all!

I adored all the black and green illustrations in Emerald and the Ocean Parade, that have all been drawn by author Harriet.

I’m so obsessed with Emerald and the Ocean Parade I honestly now want the whole collection, of books by Harriet Muncaster.

I definitely now need to read the second in the mermaid series, Emerald and the Sea Sprites and I must read Isadora Moon Under the Sea, that has mermaids in, plus I’m desperate to read Isadora Moon and the New Girl. I want the whole collection on my book shelf!

I totally loved everything about Emerald and the Ocean Parade, where the setting is all under the ocean, with each character being a mermaid. I absolutely loved the idea how mermaid Emerald, had a pet octopus named Inkibelle, and how Emerald swims to the school playground meeting up with her friends that all have names that refers to sea in some way.

Emerald is learning how to be a mermaid princess since her mum married a king, and will live in a beautiful palace. Emerald will ride in the amazing royal carriage for the Ocean parade wearing a big fancy headdress.

But Emerald doesn’t feel like a princess at all, with her spiky black hair and she doesn’t want to go in the royal carriage, she not up for going for her headdress fitting and then there’s the worry for Emerald over waving to everyone at the parade. How will Emerald overcome her fears?

Honestly this is an amazing story. And if you think the story sounds beautiful, the book doesn’t end there, at the back of the book, there’s plenty of fun activities with things to make and do with Emerald and her pet octopus, Inkibelle.

The whole collection is a must read must buy as all these books will look absolutely gorgeous on girls book shelf, and also adults book shelfs too.

[Catherine Morrow]

Emerald is a young princess under the sea, but it's fair to say she feels as though she doesn't quite fit the regal mould. She's worried that her hair is wild and all out of place, and that she doesn't look like her stepsister, Delphina, or her friends.

Emerald has the upcoming Ocean Parade to attend and to travel in the royal underwater carriage with King Auster. She feels anxious as preparations are made and planning around what dress she will wear. Emerald just wants to feel like herself and wear something which is true to her character. This is a strong message for every reader, from the young through to the old.

Emerald takes comfort in the positive things around her, the love of her family, the loyalty of her Octopus, Inkibelle, and the support shown by her friends.

I really enjoyed the language and phrases used which anchored themselves in Emerald's seascape - there's 'sea sponge pillows', 'pale green seaweed butter' and a 'clamshell alarm clock'. These items all conjure up a really charming sense of Emerald's environment.

The illustrations in shades of grey, black and green are beautiful on the pages and overall, give Emerald's stories a strong visual identity and take the reader along in her adventurous life underwater.

I'm really looking forward to reading Emerald and the Ocean Parade to my nearly 3-year-old niece, Imogen, when she's a little older. I'm sure for now she'll be spellbound by the pictures.

A big thank you to Sofia at Midas for inviting me on this blogtour with Oxford Children's.

[Nina ( picturetalk321 )]

I find it hard to resist Harriet Muncaster's children's books with their glitter-textured covers and two-tone illustrations drawn in a girly curly-wurly style. Her stories are whimsical, filled with arabesques and stars and tiaras and sparkles. They are very girl-centred. And the peril is very mild and always solved by the resourceful girls.

This is a new series, out in 2023, about Emerald the mermaid-princess: girlnip. I would have loved these aged 6-8.

I didn't love this one quite as much as the Isabella Moon one I read and the Mirabelle one I read, both of which have unconventional dads that don't conform to normative gender expectations. This one's dad is a king and more conventionally masculine. Also, the story is a bit clichéd (I don't fit in. I am being myself. Oh, now I fit in!) Still, everyone is very kind, her best friend is a Black mermaid (but otherwise this book is rather white).

Fun mermaid book to read after Monique Roffey's decidely adult The Mermaid of Black Conch!

Picked up on impulse at Waterstone's as part of an end-of-the-month, sunny-day physical book spree.

[Greenreadsbooks]

I was immediately drawn to the delightful illustrations and the green, black and white colour palette (anything green usually gets my vote!). I haven’t read any of the Isadora Moon books but I thought I would give Emerald a go. The writing is engaging and contemporary and the story tackles blended families, new responsibilities, friendship and fitting in.

Emerald is an energetic character who wants to do the right thing without compromising her strong sense of identity. Her friends are loyal and kind and her family are supportive once Emerald opens up to them.

I read Emerald with my 5 year old who is just getting into chapter books. She found the story and characters engaging (we love Inkybelle) and would definitely like to read more by the author. The additional features at the back of the book like themed recipes and games are a lovely idea and make the book greater value for money. Highly recommended!

[Joey-Susan]

It’s the mer-parade time but Emerald doesn’t feel much like a princess, but as a royal she must wear a headdress and ride in the royal carriage. She’s ready to quit the whole thing until King Auster gives her a talk and inspiration hits her.

Emerald being an ordinary mermaid turned princess mermaid gets so overwhelmed with all the changes in her life, then when her parade day dreams are changed too she doesn’t know how to feel, or what to do. I loved when she was able to express herself and be exactly who she is, she isn’t the same as the other royals and didn’t want to be.

This was a really cute book, I loved seeing all of Emerald’s best friends from school, they were all really sweet and supportive of her, I liked that the king came around and allowed her to still follow her traditions too, but merge the two worlds together. It’s such a sweet story and a great addition to the Isadora Moon world.

The illustrations were stunning as they always are, I loved the spiked hair on Emerald it’s so funky and adorable. I love looking at the illustrations seeing what’s around in this new world. I love the colour tone with the green and black, it looks so beautiful.

[Leila Anani]

Cute children's mermaid story - Emerald's mum has married the mer-king and Emerald has trouble adjusting to the life of a princess - She doesn't want to go to the parade in the royal carriage wearing extravagant regalia and just wants to be herself.

Illustrations are cute and I thought this did a nice job of saying you can be who you are and don't have to change to be accepted.

[Saturday's Child]

Just so cute I couldn't resist a read.

[Lauren Link]

A delightful read with absolutely gorgeous illustrations, I love Harriet Muncaster's books which always take me to another world.

[Claire]

Read with my daughter - she loved it.

[Lotte]

Eerste (kinder)boek in het Spaans gelezen!

[Sarah Errington]

Reading this series with my nearly 4 year old. Beautifully written with lovely illustrations in two tone colour ways.

[Kirsty Stanley]

3.5

[Molly]

Another adorable tale from the Isadora universe with plenty of sea sparkle

[BookWorm]

I absolutely love the world that Harriet Muncaster creates in her books. I love Isadora Moon and Mirabelle, so was really excited to read this. I found myself wanting a quick read and this book was perfect. It is fun and gorgeously illustrated. It is aimed at a younger audience, but I'd say that anyone could read it and adore it!

[Mehsi]

It is time for a new spin-off in the Isadora Moon universe, say hello to Emerald!


I was so delighted to see that Emerald, the mermaid that Isadora meets in a few of her books and who becomes a friend to her, is getting her own series of books! I love that each of the girls (Isadora Moon, Mirabelle, and Emerald) each have their own colours for the books. Isadora is pink. Mirabella is purple. Emerald is green. It is just perfect! Easy to differentiate between the books + I also love that each girl has their trademark colour!

In this book we follow Emerald. This one takes place after Isadora Moon #16, because Emerald mentions that Isadora did something for her stepsister. I won’t tell you what, but then at least you know that if you want to read the book you should be fine for most, but that there is a small spoiler. Emerald is a sweet mermaid whose parents are divorced. She switches between being with her dad and being with her mom. Her dad is not that different from normal, but her mom? She married the King. And that means that Emerald is still getting used to also being a princess. In this book as well we see that she struggles with this + the responsibility that comes with it. She just wants to be normal + she feels like she is not a good fit for a princess. She worries about it quite a bit in here. I just wanted to give her a hug + tell mom to just relax a bit.

Thankfully, she has some great friends + her new stepfather (aka the King) is also just a wonderful guy who really tries his best to make Emerald feel happy and comfortable. Yes, she has to ride in the royal coach, yes she has to wear a crown, but he is allowing her some freedom with it and I loved that. I also loved that he listened to Emerald during the parade (and also to his daughter who also wanted to have some fun, haha). He also shows that despite being King… he at heart is still free and himself. She doesn’t have to change 100%.

The parade really turned fun and I wish I could be there for it. It sounds like a blast! I mean, riding on a manta ray’s back? Eating snacks? Yum! Sign me up!

Of course, just like all the other books, the art in this one was just a delight! So much fun~

All in all, I cannot wait to read more of Emerald’s books, hopefully she gets a lot! I would recommend this one to all looking for a cute, fun read about being yourself and also a princess.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Chiara Verzulli]

Eccoci con una nuova avventura pensata da Harriet Muncaster che stavolta, con la casa editrice DeAgostini, ci in un posto magico particolare, in fondo al mare con una principessa molto particolare. Vi presento la sirenetta Smeraldina.
Vive a palazzo con la mamma, il suo patrigno – il re tritone –, la sua sorellastra Delfina e la sua compagna di vicissitudini, una polipetta di nome Nerella.
A Conchilia ci si sta preparando per la Parata dell’Oceano, un evento incredibile che si ripete ogni anno e questa volta per Smeraldina avrà un gusto diverso. Solitamente si organizza con i suoi amici e compagni di scuola Marina, Oceana, Pinno e Aqua. Insieme progettano i loro copricapo, festeggiano prendendo gli spiedini di pesce o il gelato. Ma ora, in quanto figlia del re e della regina non potrà essere così, tutto cambierà e questo alla piccola sirenetta non piace, ha paura di sbagliare, di venire giudicata, di essere guardata per quella bambina sbagliata non degna di essere una principessa, non come la perfetta Delfina.
Cerca di resistere il più possibile a questi cambiamenti, fin quando non ne viene travolta: la scelta del copricapo, le prove in carrozza, e allora le sue paure diventano tangibili all’improvviso. Non sente sua quella vita, non sente di poter essere all’altezza perché lei è altro, tutto tranne che composta, non dosa la forza che imprime nelle sue azioni, è effervescente, colorata, spontanea.
Una chiacchierata con il re le fa mettere tutto su un altro piano, ribaltando quello che credeva fosse perfetto.

Una storia che spiega come non bisogna mai snaturarsi pensando di far felice chi ti è accanto, il tuo animo, la tua felicità, lo stare bene con se stessi è più importante di qualsiasi cosa.
Un messaggio importante da far arrivare ai bambini di adesso che vivono con una fragilità e una voglia di essere accettati dagli altri.

[Cristina Di Matteo]

SMERALDINA Un mare di avventure scritto da Harriet Muncaster e illustrato da Mike Love. Dopo Isadora Moon e Mirabella ecco una nuova protagonista super simpatica e ribelle amate delle onde del mare. Da 6 anni <3 https://ilmondodichri.com/smeraldina-...



#smeraldina #deagostini