THE MERMAID PRINCESSES

Jealousy, rivalry…honestly, is that any way for a future mermaid queen to behave?

Undersea royals Anaya, Shante, and Kianna, who all present Black, are all different—Anaya is kind, Shante is strong and courageous, and Kianna loves to learn. They are also strong-willed and more than a little ambitious, which leads to lots of sparring over who is best suited to serve as the future queen. Their mother, the queen, is not amused with their bickering, telling the girls that a queen must be a loving sibling. The girls swim off and encounter a baby dolphin in need of help—working together to help the creature, they all learn a powerful lesson. In the cheerful tradition of mermaid fantasies such as The Tail of Emily Windsnap (2003) by Liz Kessler, illustrated by Sarah Gibb, and Mermaids Are Real (2020) by Holly Hatam, this story combines bright, jewel-toned colors and an upbeat narrative. The story is a bit predictable but enjoyable; the most memorable part of the book is the appended list of fun facts about mermaids in African lore, such as stories of Mami Wata and Yemaya. Cameron-Gordon makes clear that though mermaids of color—like all mermaids—might be a fantasy, they’re one we all can share. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A satisfying addition to any little mermaid’s library.