Reviewed by Kathleen
Grace
This is the third
book in the MerTales series, which is junior fiction for children aged 6 to 9
years, with a diverse cast of characters based on the author’s own best
friends. Timms says of this book, ‘It’s been incredibly fun to write something
pink and sparkly that’s also bursting with girl-power – there are definitely no
damsels in distress in these books!’
In this latest book,
it’s the day of the Great Cockleshell Cove Treasure Hunt and everyone is
joining in. Coral Clearwater is excited to lead her team of best friends Pearl,
Sandy, and Shell to the treasure before the others. Each of the mermaids has superpowers.
Coral can control water currents, Pearl can talk to animals, Sandy can create
forcefields, and Shell can transport from one place to another.
Count Frumplesquid
the Third has donated all the treasures for the hunt and clue, in the form of riddles
are contained on a scroll. The mermaid’s first clue takes them to the Mer-Seum
where they meet Rocky’s Rock Stars, a merman group comprised of Rocky Ravine,
Nate Nautilus, and Brian Barnacle. It is about this time that Coral and the
others discover there is a bigger mystery to be solved other than simply finding
the treasure. The question now is can Coral and her crew work together to
uncover the truth and keep the precious treasure safe? And what about Rocky and
his mer-men. And Count Frumplesquid: how are they involved?
This adventure story
of friendship is fun and vibrant. Every page is illustrated in black, red, and
pink with words frequently highlighted in different sizes and colours. There is
a continual play on sea words (such as ‘re-mer-kable’, ‘flippity fishtails’, and
‘clam-tastic.’)
The book will particularly appeal to girl readers.
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