The Mermaid
How Sirena Learned to Swim
Published on 5. May 2026
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-6689-5524-6 (ISBN)
Description
Sirena spends part of every summer in a rambling lakehouse filled with cousins, aunts and uncles, and her beloved Poppo (her grandfather). But despite how inviting the water looks, Sirena hates swimming. Until Poppo's gentle words and example tempt Sirena into the water to discover the joys of swimming--until she's a veritable mermaid. As their lakeside vacation ends, Sirena discovers that her present is tied more closely to Poppo's past that she imagined. This is a tender story about the power of intergenerational relationships and overcoming your fears.
Reviews / Votes
"In Brozo and Bowler's quiet story, intergenerational support helps a child overcome a fear of water during summer vacation with extended family...Amid faint line drawings and striated wash textures, densely detailed narration serves to further visualize the goings-on, and the strength the child finds in relationship with Poppo yields a realistic and sensitive denouement." -- The Mermaid: How Sirena Learned to Swim - Publishers WeeklyMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Kindergarten to Third Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
Picture book
Illustrations
Full-color illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 218 mm
Width: 282 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
399 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-6689-5524-6 (9781668955246)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
05/2026
Tilbury House Publishers
€16.99
Available for download
Persons
Patty Brozo has been writing stories for and about children since taking creative writing classes in college. She is the author of Miss Pinkeltink's Purse and The Buddy Bench. Annie Bowler is an illustrator based in Washington DC. Her illustrated books, Including Walking Towards Peace (Krull, Flyaway, 2021) and A Very Big Problem (Jill-Levine and Sasso, Flyaway, 2020) are Junior Library Guild selections. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, among other publications. Annie received an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts where she was awarded the Paula Rhodes Award for Excellence upon graduating in 2016.