by Nurit Zarchi (Author) Rutu Modan (Illustrator)
The Mermaid in the Bathtub is a charming, gorgeously retro retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's classic story "The Little Mermaid," by beloved Israeli author and illustrator duo Nurit Zarchi and Rutu Modan.
One day, a resolutely ordinary young man named Mr. What-will-they-say returns home to find Grain-of-Sand, a mermaid, waiting for him in his favorite armchair. Despite his objections, the two embark on a series of very watery adventures as he tries to get rid of her. But ultimately the thought of being seen with half a fish is simply too much for Mr. What-will-they-say to bear--what would people say?
So broken-hearted Grain-of-Sand returns to the sea in his bathtub, leaving Mr. What-will-they-say to resume his pedestrian existence. Mr. What-will-they-say soon finds that his beloved landlubber life, however, lacks the splash and shimmer (and bathtub) of his good times with Grain-of-Sand--and acting against all his instincts, he sets off to sea to find her.
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One day Mr. Whatwilltheysay arrives home to discover that his apartment is flooded and that a mermaid named Grain-of-Sand has moved in. Mr. Whatwilltheysay tries to convince Grain-of-Sand to leave, as he is worried about the reactions of his neighbors. Grain-of-Sand counters his arguments and encourages him to think differently about the situation. Eventually Grain-of-Sand leaves and Mr. Whatwilltheysay is forced to think about what he really wants. Grain-of-Sand and her witty responses are a delight throughout the tale, forcing both Mr. Whatwilltheysay and readers to think about what they consider to be "normal." The plot is easily followed, and the vocabulary is age-appropriate and properly nautically themed. Modan's detailed, expressive, and child-friendly illustrations draw readers right into the story and show them a whole new world. The illustrations also work with the story, helping to show the unsaid thoughts and perspectives of each character. Goldfajn has done a great job at translating this story in such a way that the content and wordplay are not lost. Together the creates lead readers right to a treasure trove of perspective, wonder, and a little bit of adventure. VERDICT An excellent translation and tale about accepting others and embracing change.—Margaret Kennelly, iSchool at Urbana-Champaign, IL
Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission."This is a complex contemporary reimagined fairytale with a refreshing twist that shows the power of transformation when opposites attract." —Jessica DeHart, Neill Public Library (Pullman, WA)