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A pirate on his ship and a mermaid in the sea are pleased to spot storm clouds on the horizon. While she likes dancing “to the beat of the rain on the sea,” he enjoys the challenge of crossing the rolling deck. Lightning splits the ship’s mast, which falls overboard. He casts a net into the sea, but when it entangles the mermaid, he leaps into the water. Apologizing in words she can’t understand, he frees her. His ship is listing, so she guards him from sharks while he hides his treasure underwater. Though neither understands the other’s language, they become friends, and later, each misses the other. After his ship is repaired, they reunite at sea. She says, “Glubbity.” He says “Aargh,” and both mean “Hello, Friend.” Created with a pleasing palette, the illustrations have an appealing, cartoonlike simplicity. They clearly express the emotions of the main characters, who are portrayed as Black. Well worded and concise, the text tells the story of a friendship overcoming obstacles. A mermaid/pirate picture book that’s fun for reading aloud.

Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

A mermaid finds a pirate who shares her love of storms. Rough weather is imminent, and both protagonists are excited. Tossed by the waves, the pirate’s supplies tumble into the ocean. Just as the mermaid dives to save his supplies, the pirate casts his net to retrieve them. Instead of securing his provisions, he captures the mermaid. They try to communicate, but what the pirate hears from the mermaid is “Glub glub!” The mermaid hears “Aargh” from the pirate. Despite the language barrier, however, the pirate helps the mermaid out of the nets, and the two become friends. The mermaid watches as the pirate dives deep to hide his treasure and then protects him from a hungry shark. The two part ways when the captain of a passing ship rescues the pirate, but they continue to think about each other before reuniting one day. Brimming with sweetness, the illustrations add a Disney aesthetic to this simple tale of the burgeoning bond between two very different friends. The characters’ “languages” are displayed in a large, colorful font; the acks, aarghs, and lubs should delight listeners during read-alouds, as will the tender conclusion. Both the pirate and the mermaid present as Black. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A winsome tale of unexpected friendship. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Publishers Weekly
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In Baptiste’s sweet tale of oceanic connection, a mermaid and a pirate, each portrayed with brown skin, exult in storms. “She liked to roll with the waves and dance to the beat of the rain on the sea.... He liked how the wind whipped the water and snapped the ropes.” When lightning breaks the mast of the pirate’s ship, and both beings move to secure it, the mermaid becomes tangled in the pirate’s net. Though their attempts at communication reveal a language barrier (the pirate hears “Gloop” when the mermaid says “Thank you”; the mermaid hears “Aarrgh” when the pirate says “You’re welcome”), they become friends, together engaging in undersea adventures. After a separation, the two even meet again later, swimming together toward the horizon. Using paneled spreads and dual perspectives, Adams’s animation-style art is an ideal match for Baptiste’s lighthearted story, which illustrates how being different need be no impediment to bonding. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)