A Mermaid Girl
Jun 2022 · Penguin
5.0star
1 reviewreport
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40
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About this ebook
A young girl celebrates the experience of wearing a burkini for the first time in this lyrical and heartwarming picture book that casts a fresh light on timeless summer activities, and celebrates cultural traditions and intergenerational bonds.
Summer is here and Heba is so excited to wear her new, yellow burkini to the community pool for the first time! She can't wait to look like the other mermaid girls in her family and sparkle like the sun.
But when Heba arrives at the pool and her friends start asking her questions about her new special swimsuit, she feels like she's standing out too much. Suddenly her burkini seems like a bad idea.
Luckily Mama helps Heba to find strength in the mermaid girls who came before her. Feeling more connected to the women of her family, Heba is ready to show her friends that she can do all the same things that they can do—handstands, summersaults, and dives off the diving board—even while wearing her yellow burkini.
Summer is here and Heba is so excited to wear her new, yellow burkini to the community pool for the first time! She can't wait to look like the other mermaid girls in her family and sparkle like the sun.
But when Heba arrives at the pool and her friends start asking her questions about her new special swimsuit, she feels like she's standing out too much. Suddenly her burkini seems like a bad idea.
Luckily Mama helps Heba to find strength in the mermaid girls who came before her. Feeling more connected to the women of her family, Heba is ready to show her friends that she can do all the same things that they can do—handstands, summersaults, and dives off the diving board—even while wearing her yellow burkini.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
1 review
Linda Ann Tran
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August 29, 2022
Our child loves this book and regularly asks to read it together. This book helps so many readers feel seen, from readers of color who so rarely see themselves pictured in books, to children who get innocently asked about the way they look or dressed. There's a lot in this book that will speak to readers of any background. My favorite part of this book, aside from the sound advice and loving familial support, is how nuanced the characters are in their thoughts and feelings. The challenge the character face was brought up by ignorant friends and not bullies. That's so important to see! More often than not, those who make us uncomfortable are those closest to us and this character has to learn how to carefully navigate through that without needing to paint the friends as bad. It's a great book on self love, friendship, and above all family support.
About the author
Sana Rafi is a Muslim American author who received her MFA from Columbia University in New York. She's passionate about showcasing Muslim and immigrant characters in her books. When she's not writing, she can be found reading, visiting beaches or being silly with her son. Rafi currently resides in sunny California but is often found daydreaming of her hometown, Lahore, Pakistan. Find out more at www.sanarafi.com.
Olivia Aserr is a visual development artist and illustrator living in Los Angeles. She currently does background paint at Cartoon Network and writes and illustrates children's books. She developed her skills at both Art Center School of Design and Rhode Island School of Design (earning her BFA from the latter in 2014). Olivia is passionate about telling stories that are fantastical and diverse. In her free time, Olivia swing dances all over Los Angeles and the rest of the world, and loves to bake and hike with her dog, Bonnibel.
Olivia Aserr is a visual development artist and illustrator living in Los Angeles. She currently does background paint at Cartoon Network and writes and illustrates children's books. She developed her skills at both Art Center School of Design and Rhode Island School of Design (earning her BFA from the latter in 2014). Olivia is passionate about telling stories that are fantastical and diverse. In her free time, Olivia swing dances all over Los Angeles and the rest of the world, and loves to bake and hike with her dog, Bonnibel.
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