Publishers Weekly Review
Contrary to what some moviegoers may think, Disney didn't invent mermaids. The aquatic females have figured in myths and folktales since time out of mind, and readers looking for life beyond Ariel would do well to check out the bevy of sea nymphs featured in Osborne and Howell's ( Favorite Greek Myths ) outstanding collection of stories. Osborne has culled her choices from many cultures--African, European, Asian, Native American and Mediterranean, to name a few--and the resulting stories more than uphold her assertion that mermaids are hardly the ``typical legendary heroine--beautiful, kind, and in need of rescue.'' Rather, these spirits are ``fiercely strong'' and independent, sometimes generous, sometimes merciless. Osborne's retellings are seamless, her prose both vigorous and picturesque (``The morning light shone on her sea-green hair like melted butter shines on cabbage''), while Howell's astonishing illustrations provide a virtual crash-course in art history. In a radical departure from his usual lush, realistic style, Howell instead reaches into the heart of the particular culture producing each tale: the frontispiece for an Iranian tale is reminiscent of a Persian miniature; the artwork for the Greek myth of Galatea and the Cyclops resembles the decoration on a black-figure urn; and the Irish folktale features the kind of stylized primitive that might be found on a pub sign. Readers can only hope that Osborne and Howell will continue to collaborate--their teamwork is magnificent. Ages 7-up. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved |
Library Journal Review
Gr 4 Up-It's common for folklore retellers to cite their sources, and Osborne does a lovely job of tracing the roots and explaining how she adapted each of these stories. However, it's rarer for illustrators to explain their research and artistic processes, so Howell's notes are fascinating. These appendixes also show the care and scholarship that permeate this volume. Of the 12 tales, only Andersen's ``The Little Mermaid'' is very well known. The other entries come from around the world and from different times-ancient Greece to 19th-century America. As Osborne points out in her introduction, these selections feature strong heroines who just happen to have fish tails. Being magical creatures, some can offer wealth and happiness; others can become human, marry, and have children; and a few are evil and vengeful. This rich collection is further enhanced by thoughtfully designed color plates and page decorations. Each picture furthers the understanding of the story through content and style (e.g., authentic African patterns are used to decorate the Nigerian tale, while the Greek tale is accompanied by artwork influenced by the area's terra-cotta pottery). An anthology that will enrich any collection.-Karen K. Radtke, Milwaukee Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
Booklist Review
Gr. 3-6. Osborne has selected and adapted 12 mermaid stories from around the world, |
Horn Book Review
A thoughtful and skillfully written collection, with stories and illustrations that significantly expand the image of mermaids beyond the Disney scope, includes Andersen's little mermaid, who doesn't live happily ever after. Tales from the French, Japanese, Chinese, and Native-American traditions are illustrated in styles appropriate to each culture. Included are interesting notes from the author and the artist discussing their approaches to the material. Bib. From HORN BOOK 1993, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. |
Kirkus Review
Osborne admits that when she began to collect mermaid tales she expected to find in them a ``typical legendary heroine-- beautiful, kind, and in need of rescue.'' She was startled to find water-maids more commonly portrayed as powerful, strong-willed, and independent. These 12 examples certainly bear her out: in medieval France, Melusine saves her human husband from punishment for accidentally killing his father; a Cornish mermaid drags a soldier to his death for callously abandoning her human ward; a young Ukrainian finds Nastassia of the Sea ``bold and remarkable''--and very hard to woo. Similarly, in tales from Asia, Africa, and North America, mermaids (in one case, a merman) become friends, make bargains, or fall in love with land-dwellers, generally (but not always) to someone's regret. As in Osborne's Favorite Greek Myths (1989), each tale opens with one of Howell's sumptuous, romantic paintings; here, he displays his technical skill in expert evocations of a succession of traditional national and historical styles. Osborne has edited or rewritten her selections--even Andersen's ``The Little Mermaid''--but appends explanatory source notes and a bibliography. A handsome, engrossing eye-opener. (Folklore. 10+) |