Families who loved Soraya and the Mermaid by Salima Alikhan often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'possessive' stage of friendship or having a hard time saying goodbye to something they love. While it can be tempting for children to want to keep a new friend or a special find all to themselves, this story explores the bittersweet necessity of letting go. Through Soraya's magical encounter with a mermaid, children see a relatable model of empathy in action. The story follows Soraya as she discovers a mermaid and must decide between her desire to keep this wonderful new friend and the mermaid's urgent need to return to the ocean. Written for 6 to 8 year olds, it uses a high-interest fantasy premise to ground a very real lesson in emotional maturity. It is a perfect choice for parents looking to move beyond simple 'sharing' and into deeper conversations about respecting others' boundaries and needs.