AUTHOR: K.G. Campbell
ILLUSTRATOR: K.G. Campbell
PUBLISHER: Kids Can Press
DATE: 2014
STARS: *****
Each of King Neptune's 50 mermaid daughters boasts a special talent, except for little Minnow, who seems to be good only at asking questions. When she finds a strange object, Minnow follows her questions to a wondrous place and finds answers, including the answer to the most important question of all: Who am I? A gorgeously illustrated story about finding one's purpose.
Poor little Minnow. Her father boasts about his other daughters’ impressive talents, but she fails at everything she tried. She’s curious, though, and wants to learn. So she asks questions. Many questions. Until one of her older sisters tells her to stop. “Be remarkable… What are you even here for?” What is a young mermaid to do?
I loved the illustrations in this picture book. K.G. Campbell is a gifted artist as well as a talented writer. This story sweetly invites the reader to not only find her purpose but to realize, also, that what appears unimpressive can be quite remarkable. I was offered an e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I give The Mermaid and the Shoe five stars.