Sukey and the Mermaid

Sukey and the Mermaid
by Robert D. San Souci,‎ illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Taking a scrap of a folktale of a young girl living among the sea islands off the coast of South Carolina, Robert D. San Souci crafts a powerful story about a brave young woman and how she finds an escape from a home ruled by her harsh stepfather when she is taken in by a beautiful mermaid

At first, the Mama Jo gives Sukey gold coins to give her family, but after being chased off by Sukey's stepfather, she only returns to carry a sick Sukey down to her home under the water where she would be safe.

For a while Sukey thrives under the sea, but loneliness for human companionship brought her back to the surface, now a grown woman with a treasure chest to afford her some comfort. And a warning from the mermaid to choose the right husband. Of course, Sukey's stepfather ruins things for her, and Sukey must return to the mermaid for one last favor.

Sukey and the Mermaid (Amazon / Library) earns the Self-Rescuing Princess Society seal of approval for telling the story of a young woman's adventure and the benevolent water goddess who shows her the power of true love and goodness. The illustrations by Robert Pinkney are stunningly beautiful, capturing the movement of the water and the life in and around it. The story is told in the language even the youngest readers can understand, and because it is so elegantly illustrated it makes a great storytime book for all ages.

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