The Mermaid in the Bathtub

“All kinds of kooky details fill the pages, and that flying fish with wings and legs may be my favorite unnamed character of all time. It’s wackadoodle and I love it. Hand it to the mermaid obsessed kiddos. It’ll blow their little minds.”

“Grain-of-Sand and her witty responses are a delight throughout the tale, forcing both Mr. Whatwilltheysay and readers to think about what they consider to be ‘normal.’ The plot is easily followed, and the vocabulary is age-appropriate and properly nautically themed. Modan’s detailed, expressive, and child-friendly illustrations draw readers right into the story and show them a whole new world. The illustrations also work with the story, helping to show the unsaid thoughts and perspectives of each character. Goldfajn has done a great job at translating this story in such a way that the…

“Inspired by mermaid legends, this Israeli import has a wry humor.... The surrealist illustrations feature intense colors on very shiny paper; they will draw everyone’s attention, children and adults alike. Absurdist and realistic at the same time, this Israeli mermaid tale requires a dry sense of humor.”

“One of the more unique picture books both in content and illustrations that is both profound and articulate. Quite possibly more geared for adults. This is a complex contemporary reimagined fairytale with a refreshing twist that shows the power of transformation when opposites attract.”

“This surreal reimagining of Hans Christian Andersen’s 'The Little Mermaid' begins when Mr. Whatwilltheysay is surprised to find ‘a mermaid sitting in his best armchair.’ The mermaid, called Grain-of-Sand, has blue curls, floods Whatwilltheysay’s apartment, and sings strange songs…. When Grain-of-Sand leaves, taking the bathtub, after hearing Whatwilltheysay’s litany of concerns about her presence, he slowly realizes what he has lost and goes to find her with an umbrella in his hand, a seashell in his pocket, and a flying fish for company. Modan’s bright, delightfully deadpan illustrations…