A Field Guide to Mermaids

by Emily B. Martin

Overview

A magical and lushly illustrated field guide to the mermaids that inhabit our ponds, streams and oceans, based on real ecological details—with a strong environmental focus—perfect for fans of The Magical Unicorn Society series.

A glimmer of fish scales.
A splash from a colorful fin.
The echo of a mysterious song across the water. . .

Few mythical creatures are more instantly recognizable or more mysterious than mermaids. Whether seen perched on a rock at the water’s edge or spied only as a dim outline beneath the waves, mermaids have long fascinated sailors, scientists, storytellers, and surprised onlookers alike.

Now, for the first time, thanks to dedicated research and a hint of magic, comes A Field Guide to Mermaids, introducing the many species of mermaids native to the United States. With an eye toward the preservation of our natural habitats, Emily B. Martin shares the never-before-told stories of the mermaids who share our waters in this enchanting and beautifully illustrated guidebook.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250794321
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Pages:	144
Sales rank:	408,099
Product dimensions:	6.70(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Emily B. Martin splits her time between working as a park ranger and an author/illustrator, resulting in her characteristic eco-fantasy adventures. An avid hiker and explorer, her experiences as a ranger help inform the characters and worlds she creates on paper. Her books include Woodwalker, Ashes to Fire, and Creatures of Light. When not patrolling places like Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, or Philmont Scout Ranch, she lives in South Carolina with her husband, Will, and two daughters, Lucy and Amelia.

Editorial Reviews

"Definitively making the point that mermaids can be found anywhere there is water—even a little, or for a little while—Martin depicts dozens of types, each linked to a specific (real) locale and arranged by their favored habitats, from deep ocean abyssal zones to shallow desert pools, hot springs to swimming pools. An indispensable, encyclopedic resource for nature quests—mythological or otherwise." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

From the Publisher

★ 2022-08-31
A guide to watery habitats and their residents.

Definitively making the point that mermaids can be found anywhere there is water—even a little, or for a little while—Martin depicts dozens of types, each linked to a specific (real) locale and arranged by their favored habitats, from deep ocean abyssal zones to shallow desert pools, hot springs to swimming pools. Martin notes 11 species that dwell in wetlands alone, including residents of both fresh and saltwater marshes as well as mangrove swamps, bayous, baygall bogs, freezing wetlands, and ciénagas. There are male merfolk, the author admits, but she sticks to the feminine term. To assist young nature detectives, each mermaid is posed in a natural setting along with selected specimens of wildlife that share the same habitat. As mermaids are great mimics, they tend to resemble their wild companions, and so along with displaying individual adornments and embellishments, they are each as distinctive looking as the accurately rendered fish, marine mammals, reptiles, and other not-so-mythical creatures on view. Moreover, enlightening discussions of mermaid behaviors and environmental concerns mingle with general questions and activities suitable for any encounters with nature. Readers will come away uniquely prepared to find and identify these elusive creatures as well as the vast array of aquatic niches they (putatively) inhabit.

An indispensable, encyclopedic resource for nature quests—mythological or otherwise. (Fantasy. 11-15)

Kirkus Reviews