Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale

This story of Lilly and Fin is a cute chapter book for kids in approximately grades 1-3. The story is a flipped perspective story of friendship, naturally with challenges to which many kids can relate. The dialogue is understandable, as well as the characters' actions.The version I received does not have the illustrations in color, but they are very detailed, and I feel that they add to the story for children who still need them for visual support in comprehension. They are frequently spaced throughout the book.I didn't find this to be a challenging read, and I've loved Cornelia Funke's other books, but I found it difficult to connect quickly with the characters, which sometime can happen when so many words are devoted to setting the scene and the norms for the characters. (Underwater life, making connections to the readers' world, friends, etc.)It is a fairly short story for fluent readers, however, I'd expect it to last several days for a newer reader.

The story starts slowly, and the villains are caricatures, but believably mean and self-centered. However, the variety of sea life is fascinating, and the illustrations are well done and full of life. I believe that they may be in color when the book is published since this is an advance reader's copy, and I would love to see that!There is danger and suspense and interesting supporting characters, one of whom plays a major role, but I don't want to spoil that. Neptune, on the other hand, is wasted. I enjoyed the graveyard of ships, which is a great place to explore ... The ending is a trifle weak, but I think children would enjoy the book and maybe even learn a few things. (That's always a plus for me, and I include adult books in that category.)

This book was alright, but definitely not great. The storyline of the book revolves around merpups (mermaid children) that are supposed to stay within the city, but love to go beyond even though they know they are not supposed to. They find out that humans do exist and it does not bode well for them. There is of course an overlying message that actions have consequences. In the end all is well for the merpups and one hopes they have learned their lesson. It is not a very entertaining story and the story line definitely left me wondering sometimes. I feel like their needs to be more enticement to keep a young reader eager to turn the page.

The bad guys were a bit over the top, almost like something you would find in a cartoon. The mermaids/mermen are hardly described andthe merpups almost seem like an afterthought after reading so much about the bad guys.The illustrations are quite elaborate, almost too much so, I had a bit of difficulty decoding some of them.Overall I was not that impressed with the book, even though my 9 year old grandson did enjoy it.From me it would get three stars, but since he liked it, I am rounding up to four stars.

Deep beneath the ocean, in a city built of sunken ships, live merpups Lilly and Fin. Though they've been told not to stray from the kingdom, lest they be caught in the nets or propellers of the evil Two-Legs, Lilly and Fin love to play in a secret cave far from home. With a seaweed bag full of tasty conch cookies, they set off for an afternoon in their favorite cave, unaware that Mr. and Mrs. Snorkel - a wealthy couple who collect ocean creatures as a hobby - have set out in their high-powered submarine, the Sea Devil, to catch a mermaid.Eight-year-old Lilly is the "sassiest, smartest, and bravest merpup." Her very best friend is Fin, a merpup with blue hair and scales that itch whenever he has a bad feeling about something. Both are "rainbow-scaled, green-skinned, fluorescent" mermaids.Funke sprinkles Lilly and Fin: A Mermaid's Tale with amusing ocean-related references, such as Mrs. Snorkel's "sea-green nail polish" or Lilly's and Fin's affinity for "kelp juice." Through whimsical use of a third-person narrative, she addresses readers directly, making the mermaids' adventure feel like an immersive experience.The book's illustrations add undeniable charm to the narrative. Funke's colorful depictions of sunken ships, ocean creatures, and the submarine that looks like a "giant predatory fish" are playfully rendered to delight the imagination. Each illustration has a hidden treasure chest, and all seven of the full-page illustrations include a hidden animal that doesn't belong underwater.The fun doesn't stop after the story concludes. Additional activities found at the back of the book -such as a full-page board game with instructions for game-play, and a link to knitting patterns to create a plush Lilly or Fin- will keep readers engaged and entertained.Parents and children alike will be swept away by Lilly and Fin, a charming tale of friendship and courage.

My niece loves mermaids and loved this aquatic adventure book with easily understandable text, attractive illustrations, and great stories. I would have liked this when I was a kid because I loved going to the beach and aquarium. Anyway, the mermaids are funny and looking for trouble around every corner and they fall into mischief around every rock or reef. This is an enjoyable book that is a vocabulary builder which gives an intro into story telling.

I read this before giving it to my 10 year old. I am not sure that she would enjoy this. For one, it is a short story (I myself read it in under an hour) and she likes long books. It does have a bit of adventure, mermaids and a Kraken, so we shall see.One thing that bothered me was the Fatso/Fat King - what was the point? It left me with a bad taste. I also don't think that Lilly cursing at the Kraken (so we are told) or the Kraken calling her a DimWit is necessary, but I know that 99% of people won't care about any of that at all.I do like that it showed some repercussions to their misbehavior and that when they didn't believe their parents they were proven wrong, otherwise it was a bore for this adult.Update: my 10 year old also read it in an hour. She says that it is boring.

Christmas present for 8 year old Grand daughter