10 Awesome Books About Mermaids for Readers of All Ages

The Little Mermaid, by Hans Christian Anderson
The classic tale that eventually spawned a modern day love for mermaids worldwide, this book showcases beautiful illustrations that bring the story to life. Vivid watercolors soak the page with color and help tell the fable of a mermaid princess and her quest to find her very own happily ever after.

The Mermaid’s Shoes, by Sanne te Loo
While on vacation, Mia discovers a pair of mermaid’s shoes, and when she puts them on, she realizes she has finally discovered her true self. Upon returning home, she tries out her new mermaid shoes (and personality) at several wet and aquatic themed spots around the city. It takes a few tries, but Mia finally discovers the perfect place to land, proving that even mermaids can play in the city.

Good Night Mermaids, by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper
This beloved board book series teaches sleepy young readers about mermaids and all their world has to offer. As it offers good night wishes to everything possible under the sea—from coral to shipwrecks, from bubbles to seahorses—this book might just put your little one under a magical, mermaid-inspired, nighttime lull.

The Mermaid and the Shoe, by K.G. Campbell
This beautifully illustrated book reveals the story of King Neptune and his 50 daughters, including Minnow. All of the daughters have special talents, with the exception of Minnow, who is mostly just good at being curious (no one knows any kids like that, right? Right.) For someone with so many questions, she really mainly seeks the answer to one big one: Who am I? The red shoe Minnow discovers leads her on a journey of adventure and self-discovery.

Misty to the Rescue (Mermaid S.O.S. Series #1), by Gillian Shields
This Mermaid Sisters of the Sea series is filled with undersea adventures. Misty and her mermaid friends set off on a journey to find magic crystals that will bring the merfolk back to their Coral Kingdom. As they battle malevolent forces, Misty must help her friends stay on track to save the day. If your chapter book reader enjoys their introduction to this series, they are in luck: at least seven more books await them!

Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet, by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser
Fancy Nancy fans will appreciate this installment featuring their favorite character and a mermaid ballet. When Nancy is cast as a weeping willow in the school play and not cast as a sparkling mermaid, she experiences jealousy and disappointment. Nevertheless, the mermaid ballet carries on and showcases Nancy’s magical-looking friends on stage (and on land) performing as mermaids, while she learns that there are supporting (and not so fancy) roles that are just as important.

Trouble at Trident Academy (Mermaid Tales Series #1), by Debbie Dadey
At Trident Academy, the MerGirls and MerBoys work hard and play hard. Shy Shelly struggles with friendship and fitting in at this prestigious underwater school. With inventive undersea sports (think Shell Wars) and lots of adventure, the story is educational and entertaining, while exploring the theme of friendship. A great chapter book series for young readers looking for something a little different in the fairy/princess genre.

To Catch a Mermaid, by Suzanne Selfors
After a tragic twister takes the life of Boom Broom’s mom, a baby mermaid accidentally arrives at their home. What at first seems like a blessing at first soon becomes a curse, as the little creature brings magic and mayhem. When the curse of the merfolk affects Boom Broom’s little sister, Mertyle, he has to hurry to find a solution to this problem. In the process of saving his sister, Boom Broom may just find a way to save himself and his family from their grief.

The Tail of Emily Windsnap, by Liz Kessler
Donning a swimsuit for her seventh-grade swim class, Emily soon discovers she is half-mermaid. Embarking on an adventure to discover her new abilities and reunite with her father, she enters a world under the sea where shipwrecks are studied at school and Neptune rules. Emily’s merman father has been imprisoned for loving her human mother, and Emily sets out to defend him and set him free. Your middle school readers will flip for this book, and the half dozen more that continue to follow Emily’s tail and her story.

Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings, by Helene Boudreau
If as if becoming a teenager were not awkward enough, imagine taking a bath one night and sprouting a tail! It happens to Jade, who soon discovers that her mother was a mermaid who lobbied for human status, but was kidnapped by merfolk who covet her secrets. Courageous newly minted mermaid Jade must now navigate these very murky waters without her mother. Full of fantasy, mystery and some darker elements, this tale turns mermaids into a coming of age tale/tail perfect for tweens, and it’s just the beginning of Jade’s adventures, which continue in Real Mermaids Don’t Hold Their Breath.
What books about our favorite finned friends do your kids enjoy?