I had to look up nudibranchs because I'd never heard of them. They are sea slugs without shells. The "ch" at the end is pronounced like a hard k as in the word "character." They are indeed very cool-looking: https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/collage-nudibranch-colors

This idea of a mustachioed merfamily gave us a giggle but mostly I enjoyed learning about nudibranchs! ( )

Independent Reading Level: Pre-K to K
Awards: N/A

Wow, a kids book with nudibranchs. ( )

With a quirky twist on mermaids, this is a cute story of friendship and learning to love one's self.

Mabel is not a happy mermaid. While her entire mermaid family shares a similar trait, she isn't quite the same. The other fish call her names, and although she isn't sure what the word even means, she knows it can't be good. Deciding that the only thing left for her to do is hide, she slides into a hole at the bottom of the ocean. There, she meets someone else who is hiding, and together, they might just be able to find a way to be happy again.

Mabel is hard not to like...and the difference she has to the other mermaids definitely will draw young listeners'/readers' attentions. Possibly, a gasp and some giggles. Mabel is a determined little mermaid, and her attempts to fit in touch the heart. When she wants to hide, young listeners will easily relate to her feelings and probably see themselves in her. The message, while clear, slides in smoothly with the tale, and makes for a wonderful read-aloud, which will hold listeners' attention.

The illustrations are sweet, fitting and fun to flip through. Mabel is well done...not glamorous like mermaids often are but rather more easy to relate to. It's a treat to join her in her underwater world and hard not to have the wish to join her. Because Mabel and her new found friend would be exactly the kind of friends most kids would love to have.

I received an ARC and found this one to be a perfect read-aloud with wonderful characters. ( )