Harmony & Echo: The Mermaid Ballet

by Brigette Barrager

Overview

In a magical underwater world, a mermaid learns to overcome shyness and stage fright as she prepares for the Mermaid Ballet. A picture book that dazzles readers with the debut of two irresistible mermaids—Harmony and Echo—from the co-creator of the bestselling Uni the Unicorn!

Harmony is chill. She is carefree and fun and loves to stop and smell the sea flowers. Echo is a worrier. She can always find something to fuss about. As her best friend, Harmony is determined for Echo to enjoy their debut performance in the Mermaid Ballet.

In a magical water world, the two mermaids practice their steps again and again. They dive through the water like seals, spin in circles like minnows, slither like eels, and more. But Echo is still worried that she’ll forget everything as soon as she faces the audience. So Harmony decides that they should share a secret hand squeeze, one that tells Echo You are fine, you are okay, I’m right next to you. At the crucial moment when Echo is about to stumble, will their plan work so she gets all the moves correct?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781984830432
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/02/2023
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 11.56(h) x 0.39(d)
Lexile:	AD550L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

BRIGETTE BARRAGER is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Uni the Unicorn books and the author-illustrator of Vlad the Rad and Welcome, Flower Child, as well as the illustrator of numerous other picture books. She graduated from California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in character animation. She likes tea and books and hates when people's toes hang over the edges of their sandals. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, their twin daughters, a dog, and a cat.

Editorial Reviews

08/21/2023

In Barrager’s uncomplicated friendship story, mermaid besties Harmony and Echo “both loved fairy tales and daydreaming.” But while light-brown-skinned Harmony “liked things to be carefree and fun,” tan-skinned Echo “was not chill.” On the day of the friends’ ballet performance, Echo confesses to being overcome with worry, and supportive Harmony knows just how to respond, suggesting they squeeze hands when nerves strike and that they run through the routine (aquatic moves include “spin in circles like a minnow” and “slither like an eel”). Later, the performance unfolds with graceful choreography, a reassuring hand squeeze tucked into the middle of the show. Watercolors provide ideal oceanic backdrops for unlined digital renderings of the mer-kids delighting in each other’s companionship in this evenly told portrait of supportive friendship. Ages 3–7. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Mermaid mavens will take to this pair like fish to water." —Kirkus Reviews

"Barrager’s sweet and supportive tale will charm and delight readers." —School Library Journal

"Watercolors provide ideal oceanic backdrops for unlined digital renderings of the mer-kids delighting in each other’s companionship in this evenly told portrait of supportive friendship." —Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

04/01/2023

PreS-Gr 3—Harmony and Echo are best friends and mermaids who enjoy a variety of similar interests but are also markedly different. For instance, while Harmony is happy-go-lucky and relaxed, Echo is frequently a bundle of nerves. These anxious feelings are even more apparent the day of their ballet performance, when Echo shares her fears that she will forget the dance as soon as she swims on stage. Harmony consoles her friend, squeezing her hand as a reminder of her presence and support, as well as emphasizing their many hours of rehearsal and even offering to go through the dance together. When it's finally time to perform, Echo joins her best friend on stage and begins to dance without even having a chance to worry. They celebrate their successful recital with ice cream and a hand-squeeze promise to always be there for each other. Barrager's text reads smoothly and endearingly, making this an excellent choice for group sharing. The watercolor and digital illustrations capture a magical underwater world, brimming with life. Harmony and Echo both have brown skin, while the other mermaids in the dance company are diverse in skin tone. Pair with Molly Idle's Pearl, Kate Pugsley's Mermaid Dreams, or Kelly DiPucchio's books about Oona for even more mer-fun. VERDICT Barrager's sweet and supportive tale will charm and delight readers and is recommended for purchase.—Olivia Gorecke

School Library Journal

2023-02-25
A friend’s hand comes in handy.

Brown-skinned Harmony, who has long raven tresses, and tan-skinned Echo, who has a chin-length, straw-colored bob, are mermaid BFFs with lots in common: They collect sea glass and love fairy tales and daydreaming. But there are also differences between the two: Nothing fazes cool, collected Harmony, while Echo is a major worrywart. With an upcoming ballet performance looming, Echo frets about forgetting her routine. Despite Harmony’s calm assurance that all will be well because they’ve practiced repeatedly, Echo is still anxious. Harmony advises her pal to squeeze her hand if she gets scared; Echo begs for one last practice. All goes…swimmingly. During the show, Echo squeezes Harmony’s hand, Harmony reciprocates, and, as she predicted, the performance goes off splendidly. The audience claps and claps, the friends enjoy ice cream afterward, and they agree that hand-holding is “for whenever we need to.” This thin but sweet story reinforces the idea that true friends are always there to lend a helping hand. The brightly colored illustrations, rendered in watercolor ink and Photoshop, depict winsome, wide-eyed Harmony and Echo with tails of different hues: Harmony’s is yellow, while Echo’s is pink. Their lush, bubbly, watery environment, filled with assorted sea life, is inviting. Background mermaid characters are diverse in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Mermaid mavens will take to this pair like fish to water. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews