About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with being 'too nice' or finding the courage to speak up when something feels wrong. While many children are taught to be polite and agreeable, this story highlights that being a leader sometimes requires being loud and firm, especially when protecting others. In this undersea adventure, the Princess in Black and her heroic friends meet a mermaid princess named Posy. They soon discover that a giant kraken is trying to eat Posy's cute sea goats. The land-dwelling heroes find themselves literally out of their element underwater, meaning the shy mermaid princess must be the one to save the day. It is a fantastic bridge for early readers that combines superhero action with a gentle, empowering lesson on self-advocacy and setting boundaries.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
A large kraken threatens the safety of the sea goats, which may be slightly intense for very sensitive readers.
Ideal Reader
A first or second grader who loves fantasy and superheroes but might be a 'people pleaser' in their own life. It is perfect for children transitioning into longer chapter books who still rely on vibrant illustrations to support the text.
Parent Prep
This book can be read cold. A child who lets others take their toys or push them around because they want to be 'good' or 'nice.'
Age Experience
Five-year-olds will focus on the slapstick humor and the 'cool' factor of underwater superheroes. Eight-year-olds will better appreciate the irony of the powerful heroes being helpless underwater and the nuanced message about the limitations of politeness.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many mermaid books that focus on beauty or romance, this one treats the mermaid as a hero-in-training and focuses on the power of the voice as her primary 'superpower.'
Read plot summary
While vacationing on a boat, the Princess in Black and her friends encounter Princess Posy, a mermaid whose sea goats are being threatened by a greedy kraken. The land-based heroes try to help, but their lack of gills and the pressure of the deep sea make them less effective than usual. Ultimately, Princess Posy must overcome her habit of being 'too nice' to tell the kraken 'No!' and protect her kingdom.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Princess Posy is very nice, but why was being 'nice' a problem when the kraken arrived?
2
The Princess in Black and her friends are usually the ones saving people. How did they feel when they realized they couldn't fight well underwater?
3
Posy had to use a 'big, loud voice' to stop the kraken. Can you think of a time when you might need to use a big, loud voice instead of your 'polite' voice?
4
Why was it important for Posy to be the one to save the sea goats instead of the land princesses doing it for her?
