The Mermaid: How Sirena Learned to Swim

In Brozo and Bowler’s quiet story, intergenerational support helps a child overcome a fear of water during summer vacation with extended family. When a cousin pushes young Sirena off the dock into lake water that’s over the child’s head, “nearly drowning” keeps Sirena sidelined the rest of the day. In response to an aunt’s unhelpful comment, Poppo offers reassuring comfort (“ ‘You no listen her,’ he whispered in his accented English. ‘You mermaid. You swim when you want’ ”), then surprises the family by donning swim trunks and accompanying Sirena to lake’s edge. Over recurrent outings, Poppo teaches the subject “how to love the water,” using song to soothe, and by trip’s end Sirena has grown in calm and confidence. Amid faint line drawings and striated wash textures, densely detailed narration serves to further visualize the goings-on, and the strength the child finds in relationship with Poppo yields a realistic and sensitive denouement. Characters are portrayed with pale skin. Ages 4–8. (May)