The Singing Mermaid

Nice story, good illustrations.

My five and almost three year old are huge Julia Donaldson fans and we recently added this book to our collection. The Singing Mermaid marks another collaboration between Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks and Monks' illustration style is perfect for this story.The Singing Mermaid tells the story of a mermaid with a beautiful singing voice who is tricked into joining the circus by it's devious owner. She is forced to sing in the circus and kept in a fish tank but does meet some new friends along the way. Can she, with their help, make it back to her home under the sea?The book is beautifully illustrated, with Monks' trademark bright colours and added glitter which we know so well from books like What the Ladybird Heard. It's the perfect match for this under the sea story with beautiful textures and so many things for your children to look at. Each page has some glitter on it and my almost three year old loves to touch this part of each page.It's a lovely book to read aloud and has Julia Donaldson's usual lyrical style. The poetry flows beautifully and it really lends itself to being learned by heart. My children love it when I stop before the last word of each line so they can complete it themselves. The characters are great and, while Sly Sam is clearly the bad guy (and 'naughty' accordiing to my children) he's not scary at all.I can see us continuing to enjoy The Singing Mermaid for some time to come. Another fantastic Julia Donalson story.

The Singing Mermaid is wonderful, well-written rhyming colourful book that makes kids join in and read along. I wouldn't expect anything less from Julia Donaldson, creator of so loved Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale, just to mention few.Lydia Monks' illustrations are beautiful and lettering on the cover pages very inspiring. After reading the book my 6 year old daughter was practising her "mermaid" letters for good few hours and now we are planning to turn her drafts into ex-libris stamp.The story line itself is very engaging. It tells a tale of a mermaid who was tricked and enslaved by greedy circus owner. Eventually all ends well but the ending is quite surprising when the mermaid, who does not have legs, runs away...Another good thing about this book is the edition: quality hard cover that will last for years. It has also glitter and shiny elements on all pages - something that children, especially little girls, adore.My daughter said she would give it not only 5 but 6 stars if she could. I have as well nothing but good things to say about The Singing Mermaid so we are giving it 5 stars (!)

Another lovely Julia Donaldson book. Even my 5 year old son will listen and he's more of a dinosaur and superhero boy!

Gift for young relative. Very happy with this book.

Lovely story and colourful pictures. Little girl loved it

My 2-year old daughter absolutely adores this book and it's been a daily nap time and bed time favourite for a couple of months now. I originally bought the board book for durability and that is the one we use for bed time as she will often want to take it to bed with her. I bought the larger paperback version when it was £2 which is used just as much. The paperback has glitter throughout the pages on various illustrations which gives it a little extra magic and the whole thing is much larger so it's nice to curl up on the sofa to read on our laps. We have the other stories in the series and although we read them quite a bit none are loved as much as this one. There is a sticker activity book too which I look forward to giving her.

This book is amazing and my baby loves it, I actually started reading it to her at six weeks old simply because I love reading and engaging and communicating with her, and she loves this book, it is so well written and fun and my friend's baby reacted exactly the same way when I read it to him, and he is six months old, it is just magical and my boyfriend also reads it to our baby and is amazed by the way she reacts, kicking her legs, laughing, really really enjoying it, a must for anyone looking at what children's books to buy.....

Great book, as always! Awesome author!!!

I like julia donaldson books for young children. Colourful, well illustrated which captured the attention of my five year old granddaughter. The story has a happy ending. Book also has activity book which she loved doing.

amazing book.. one of our favourite from the julia Donaldson collection.

Libro bellissimo, sia per la storia in rima che per le illustrazioni meravigliose...io e le mie bambine di 3 e 4 anni lo adoriamo!

Brilliant. Great story. Our new favourite.