About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts comparing their appearance to others or expresses feeling plain, invisible, or not enough. It is a perfect antidote for a child struggling with the pressure to be pretty or perfect. The story follows Jane, a girl who has been told her whole life that she is unremarkable. When she attempts to secure her future by proposing to a handsome boy, he is snatched away by a terrifying mermaid, forcing Jane into a daring underwater rescue. This graphic novel masterfully deconstructs fairy tale tropes to show that resourcefulness and self-worth are far more valuable than a storybook face. It is ideal for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) who are beginning to navigate social hierarchies and self-image. Parents will appreciate how it replaces the damsel-in-distress narrative with one of fierce independence and cleverness.
