We Can Be Mermaids
Published on 4. June 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
32 pages
978-1-4449-7589-5 (ISBN)
Description
An uplifting and empowering story about the joy of swimming and following our dreams.
Silver has loved swimming since her very first lesson and dreams of one day becoming... a MERMAID!
There's just one problem: her dad can't swim.
They bake mermaid-tail cupcakes together, build mermaid caves and read underwater stories, but he can't join her in the pool like the other dads.
Silver worries she'll have to give up on her dream and quit swimming - how can she possibly leave her dad behind when she's a mermaid?!
But one day, Dad has a surprise for her, one that will help Silver to see that she should never give up on her mermaid dreams...
Swimming should be for everyone, but it's reported that 95% of Black adults and 80% of Black children in England do not swim.
This important and joyful story demonstrates the freedom and excitement of swimming, empowering little ones to pursue their passions without fear.
Written by swimming (and mermaid!) enthusiast Lanisha Butterfield with stunning artwork by Raissa Figueroa.
Silver has loved swimming since her very first lesson and dreams of one day becoming... a MERMAID!
There's just one problem: her dad can't swim.
They bake mermaid-tail cupcakes together, build mermaid caves and read underwater stories, but he can't join her in the pool like the other dads.
Silver worries she'll have to give up on her dream and quit swimming - how can she possibly leave her dad behind when she's a mermaid?!
But one day, Dad has a surprise for her, one that will help Silver to see that she should never give up on her mermaid dreams...
Swimming should be for everyone, but it's reported that 95% of Black adults and 80% of Black children in England do not swim.
This important and joyful story demonstrates the freedom and excitement of swimming, empowering little ones to pursue their passions without fear.
Written by swimming (and mermaid!) enthusiast Lanisha Butterfield with stunning artwork by Raissa Figueroa.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hachette Children's Group
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 3 years
Dimensions
Height: 278 mm
Width: 248 mm
Thickness: 6 mm
Weight
220 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4449-7589-5 (9781444975895)
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
Persons
Lanisha Butterfield (Author)
Lanisha Butterfield is a lifelong book junkie, who published her first picture book in June 2024.
Her quiet ambition of becoming an author - long-held and nurtured with lunchtime trips to the local bookshop - was realised during the Covid lockdown, with a serendipitous decision to join an online Penguin Children's Book Workshop.
Raissa Figueroa (Illustrator)
Raissa Figueroa is a Coretta Scott King Honor-winning illustrator and graphic designer based in San Diego, California, USA. Her art graces picture books such as Princess Unlimited by Jacob Sager Weinstein, and Oona by Kelly DiPucchio.
Lanisha Butterfield is a lifelong book junkie, who published her first picture book in June 2024.
Her quiet ambition of becoming an author - long-held and nurtured with lunchtime trips to the local bookshop - was realised during the Covid lockdown, with a serendipitous decision to join an online Penguin Children's Book Workshop.
Raissa Figueroa (Illustrator)
Raissa Figueroa is a Coretta Scott King Honor-winning illustrator and graphic designer based in San Diego, California, USA. Her art graces picture books such as Princess Unlimited by Jacob Sager Weinstein, and Oona by Kelly DiPucchio.