About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the social anxiety of having a 'big personality' family member attend a school function. It is particularly helpful for kids who feel a sense of responsibility for an adult's behavior or who worry about being embarrassed in front of their peers. Through the lens of a whimsical mermaid school, the story explores the tension between wanting a parent present and the reality of dealing with a chaotic substitute caregiver. In this adventure, Marnie Blue's field trip to the royal palace is upended when her mother falls ill and her eccentric Aunt Christabel takes her place. As Christabel's antics threaten the success of the trip, Marnie must learn to manage her own expectations and find the humor in her family's quirks. This is a gentle, humorous exploration of family loyalty and the realization that while we cannot control others, we can control how we react to them. It is an ideal pick for young readers who enjoy lighthearted mysteries and magical school settings.
