The world can be a little overwhelming lately. That’s something that I think we can all recognize. So when I find something that is joyful and makes me smile, I want to share. That’s how I felt when I heard someone talk about Mer-May (A play on words combining mermaids with May-which somehow is the month we’re in). So to celebrate Mer-May I want to highlight a few mermaid themed options you can find on Hoopla, one of our digital services. 

Mermaid stuff for kids: 

“How to Catch a Mermaid” by Adam Wallace and Andy Elkerton. Written in verse, this story follows two kids' adventures as they try to capture a mermaid. Hoopla has this title available as an ebook, audiobook and read-along movie (so you don’t have to always be the one reading it).

“Five Little Mermaids” by Sunny Scribens. This counting book is great for our youngest readers looking for a concept story that happens to feature mermaids and underwater animals.

There are also some favorite characters deep sea adventures available like Doc McStuffin’s “The Mermaid Dives In”, “Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet”, “Pinkalicious and the Merminnies”, and lots featuring the Disney Princess, Ariel.

Mermaid stuff for tweens: 

The “Real Mermaids” series by Helene Boudreau is a fun set of books for people looking for a humorous read. Jade, the main character, just found out that she is a mermaid and that brings about a whole different set of problems in addition to all the other ones that a girl has simply by being a thirteen year old. 

Mermaid stuff for teens: 

“Coral” by Sara Ella is a retelling of the Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale with a few twists. The story follows three characters, all plagued by difficulties that affect them so strongly they are desperately searching for a change. As a warning for readers, this book does deal with depression. With multiple characters the story is able to look at the effects from different perspectives. 

Hoopla also has TV shows that are great for teens like “Mako Mermaids” and “H2O:Just Add Water”

Mermaid stuff for families: 

Whether or not you caught the The Little Mermaid: Live last year, you may want to check out the soundtrack. With a cast like Auli’i Cravalho as Ariel and Queen Latifah as Ursula, you’ll want to sing along to these classic songs.

Speaking of which, did you know that Hoopla also has some Karaoke albums--like this one with The Little Mermaid songs?

Mermaid stuff for grown-ups: 

This first book I am mostly judging based on the cover because it looks so good. “Mermaid Food” by Isabel Urbina Gallego features Mermaid-themed foods you can make with your whole crew.

“The Mermaid’s Daughter” by Ann Claycomb ties The Little Mermaid fairy-tale story in with the world of opera. Kathleen, who is the latest in a long line of women to suffer from undiognosed affliction, is an accomplished musician, like her partner Harry. At this point, Kathleen has lived longer than anyone expected based on life expectancies of women in her family. To figure out what the doctors cannot, Kathleen and Harry travel to Ireland, where her ancestors are from, and what she discovers is hard to believe.

Finally, Hoopla also has the classic 1990 Cher movie “Mermaids” for you to you to celebrate Mer-May with.