March 15, 2023
A friend's hand comes in handy. Brown-skinned Harmony, who has long raven tresses, and tan-skinned Echo, who has a chin-length, straw-colored bob, are mermaid BFFs with lots in common: They collect sea glass and love fairy tales and daydreaming. But there are also differences between the two: Nothing fazes cool, collected Harmony, while Echo is a major worrywart. With an upcoming ballet performance looming, Echo frets about forgetting her routine. Despite Harmony's calm assurance that all will be well because they've practiced repeatedly, Echo is still anxious. Harmony advises her pal to squeeze her hand if she gets scared; Echo begs for one last practice. All goes...swimmingly. During the show, Echo squeezes Harmony's hand, Harmony reciprocates, and, as she predicted, the performance goes off splendidly. The audience claps and claps, the friends enjoy ice cream afterward, and they agree that hand-holding is "for whenever we need to." This thin but sweet story reinforces the idea that true friends are always there to lend a helping hand. The brightly colored illustrations, rendered in watercolor ink and Photoshop, depict winsome, wide-eyed Harmony and Echo with tails of different hues: Harmony's is yellow, while Echo's is pink. Their lush, bubbly, watery environment, filled with assorted sea life, is inviting. Background mermaid characters are diverse in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Mermaid mavens will take to this pair like fish to water. (Picture book. 4-7)
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April 1, 2023
PreS-Gr 3-Harmony and Echo are best friends and mermaids who enjoy a variety of similar interests but are also markedly different. For instance, while Harmony is happy-go-lucky and relaxed, Echo is frequently a bundle of nerves. These anxious feelings are even more apparent the day of their ballet performance, when Echo shares her fears that she will forget the dance as soon as she swims on stage. Harmony consoles her friend, squeezing her hand as a reminder of her presence and support, as well as emphasizing their many hours of rehearsal and even offering to go through the dance together. When it's finally time to perform, Echo joins her best friend on stage and begins to dance without even having a chance to worry. They celebrate their successful recital with ice cream and a hand-squeeze promise to always be there for each other. Barrager's text reads smoothly and endearingly, making this an excellent choice for group sharing. The watercolor and digital illustrations capture a magical underwater world, brimming with life. Harmony and Echo both have brown skin, while the other mermaids in the dance company are diverse in skin tone. Pair with Molly Idle's Pearl, Kate Pugsley's Mermaid Dreams, or Kelly DiPucchio's books about Oona for even more mer-fun. VERDICT Barrager's sweet and supportive tale will charm and delight readers and is recommended for purchase.-Olivia Gorecke
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August 21, 2023
In Barrager’s uncomplicated friendship story, mermaid besties Harmony and Echo “both loved fairy tales and daydreaming.” But while light-brown-skinned Harmony “liked things to be carefree and fun,” tan-skinned Echo “was not chill.” On the day of the friends’ ballet performance, Echo confesses to being overcome with worry, and supportive Harmony knows just how to respond, suggesting they squeeze hands when nerves strike and that they run through the routine (aquatic moves include “spin in circles like a minnow” and “slither like an eel”). Later, the performance unfolds with graceful choreography, a reassuring hand squeeze tucked into the middle of the show. Watercolors provide ideal oceanic backdrops for unlined digital renderings of the mer-kids delighting in each other’s companionship in this evenly told portrait of supportive friendship. Ages 3–7.