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The Little Mermaid Hardcover – September 1, 2004

4.2 out of 5 stars 495 ratings

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Once there was a little mermaid who fell in love with a human boy . . . The story may be familiar, but Lisbeth Zwerger's art makes this fairytale seem brand-new. This Jubilee edition, celebrating 200 years of Hans Christian Andersen, is superbly illustrated in Zwerger's signature style. Known for her popular and award-winning editions of classics such as The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland, Zwerger is herself the recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for lasting contributions to children's literature. The Little Mermaid is sure to win her new fans, and to delight her old ones.
The text is an all-new translation by Anthea Bell, and includes many lovely and poignant details that may be new to even those who think they know the little mermaid's story well.
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As she has with previous interpretations of classics, Zwerger (Alice in Wonderland) works from Bell's faithful translation of Andersen's text, with no happily ever after. Here the mermaid must watch her beloved prince marry another, knowing that she herself will die the following day. Zwerger's exquisite watercolors bring to life the mermaid's world. At a window in the castle of her father, the sea king, the mermaid gazes out into the blue-green distance, wondering what life above must be like; while fish dart in and out, she pets one absently. Watery meadows of jade and turquoise suggest empty silence and foreshadow the mermaid's sacrifice to the sea witch—in exchange for a human form, the heroine must trade her voice, "a lovelier voice than anyone on earth or in the sea." Zwerger represents the mermaid's shunning of her undersea home with a depiction of her overgrown garden, once the heroine's pride and joy. Other memorable scenes, framed in a white border, depict the mermaid towing the prince to shore after a shipwreck and, later, as dawn breaks on the day she is to turn to sea foam, the mermaid looks resolute, clothed in a glorious golden gown that resembles fish scales. Zwerger's parting scene, an aerial view of the prince's ship sailing away, amplifies the bittersweet yet redemptive conclusion, in which the little mermaid, now a "child of the air," may earn an immortal soul. The illustrations may well provide endless hours of reverie. Ages 4-8.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6–Bell provides a smooth and accurate translation of Andersen's moralistic tale of a little mermaid who saves a prince from drowning, then gives up her own life to ensure his happiness. The cover illustration showing the little mermaid pulling the prince to shore sets the tone for the story to come. Soft blues and greens predominate in Zwerger's impressionist watercolors, but she has added some eye-catching spots of color to the people, buildings, and boats. There is also color in the many small illustrations of fish and other sea creatures that appear throughout, adding a bit of brightness to the narrative's heavy-handed emphasis on suffering and death, and breaking the monotony of pages packed with text. Sentences printed in colored type serve as captions for the larger paintings. This version will be appreciated by an older, more sophisticated audience than Rachel Isadora's condensed retelling (Putnam, 1998) with its warmly colored, more realistic scenes.–Susan Scheps, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minedition
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2004
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0698400011
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0698400016
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.25 x 0.25 x 11.25 inches
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 495 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
495 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book beautifully illustrated and easy to read, with one review noting it captures the wonder of the original story. Moreover, they appreciate its readability, with one customer mentioning it takes about an hour to finish, and find it intriguing. Additionally, the book is suitable for both children and adults. However, the story receives mixed reactions, with several customers describing it as sad.

43 customers mention "Visual quality"43 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the beautiful illustrations in this book, which enhance the reading experience, with one customer noting it's an absolutely beautiful rendition of the original story.

"...It's a bit bigger than I expected, but its beautiful!..." Read more

"I read my book in a day. The illustrations are beautiful." Read more

"...Very interesting and very glad I read it. Very insightful." Read more

"A beautifully written book about a young woman who falls in love and cannot express that love...." Read more

28 customers mention "Story quality"28 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the story quality of this book, describing it as a classic tale that is a great short read.

"...The story of the little mermaid is a great story and Disney made it's version even better...." Read more

"It's a classic story that everyone should read at least once. Definitely much different from what I think many people would imagine." Read more

"Great short read." Read more

"Classic book. Very fast read." Read more

7 customers mention "Readability"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and fast-paced, with one mentioning it takes about an hour to finish.

"Classic book. Very fast read." Read more

"...As for this particular story, it read fast and had a great theme, as all fairy tales should." Read more

"...The book is in english and the recipient is French, but reads a little english...." Read more

"The translation from the original Danish is very nice. And that's what I bought the book for...." Read more

6 customers mention "Insight"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and intriguing, with one customer noting its perfect balance of mysticism.

"...Carefully constructed, beautifully written with a perfect balance of mysticism and pragmatism...." Read more

"...I was surprised at how good the story is, how much deeper it is than the Disney version...." Read more

"Loved it! It was very much "old world" but so intriguing to say the least. Would read this again for sure." Read more

"...The story by Hans Christian Andersen is inspiring and beautiful. The imagery in this book is really memorable. The books are real treasures...." Read more

3 customers mention "Ages"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for various age groups, with one mentioning it works well for both teens and adults, while another notes it can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

"...I feel this book would make for interesting group discussion for teen girls...." Read more

"...It is original and understandable, making it possible for children and adults alike to have an image of Hans Christian Andersen's wording...." Read more

"...I recommend it for teens and adults. Enjoy." Read more

10 customers mention "Sadness"6 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the sadness in the book, with some finding it a sad story, while one customer notes there is not much of a climax.

"...It was very beautiful and sad at the same time...." Read more

"...The story was really sad -- I never expected the ending to be so different from the movie...." Read more

"i really loved it. it is such a sad story. dont read it if you're looking for a happy ending." Read more

"...The story itself is unnecessarily wordy and boring. The illustrations, while lovely, are boring, too. That's the short and sweet of it...." Read more

4 customers mention "Shortness"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the book extremely short.

"In all it is a good story but impresively it is shorter than i antisipated it to be...." Read more

"This was a pretty good book. It was kinda short, but definitely a classic. I think you should read it if you like that sort of thing.." Read more

"This was good, but not my favorite. It is short and not much happens. It is nothing like the Disney version!" Read more

"...Its extremely short but interesting and worth reading" Read more

Beautiful Book for All Ages
5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Book for All Ages
I purchased this to read as bedtime story to my daughter. I love it. She is still a baby and doesn't understand the words yet, but I love reading it to her. The gorgeous artwork make it interesting for us both.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2025
    Hans Christan Andersen wrote many lovely stories. I sent this on as a gift for an Adult who fancies Mermaids. So, I did not see the quality of this particular book. However the story (from my youth) (SPOILER ALERT) as I recall had a sad ending. (unlike Disney's versions)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2025
    Classic book. Very fast read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2013
    I've seen the Little Mermaid and The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea so many times it's ridiculous.

    However, this is the first time I have ever read the actual story. And I'm sad... I felt a deep sadness while reading this.
    She gave up everything and lived her in pain everyday she walked on land. Yet, she never complained. She resigned herself to death and loved the prince to the very end.
    And her sisters. Oh, god, her sisters! They did what they could to help her even after she practically abandoned them all.
    If that isn't true love, I don't know what is.

    Yes, the little mermaid loved the prince and wanted to become a human to be with him. BUT THAT WASN'T THE ONLY REASON!
    She wanted to gain an immortal soul.
    I can only imagine how happy she would have been if she had attained it.

    I purposely bought the book published in 1993 for 2 reasons.
    1) because that's the year I was born and I don't own a book published in 1993. UNTIL NOW!
    and
    2) because the cover is truly beautiful.

    This version of the book is illustrated by a man named Charles Santore and, I must say, he is very talented.
    The images on these pages are beautiful and fit perfectly with the story.

    I will forever cherish this book.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2015
    I must have gotten my wires crossed somewhere along my childhood. I knew that the Disney movie wasn't the real story. I knew that going in. However, this story was FAR closer to the movie than I expected. For some reason, I remember a story about a mermaid that returns to the sea once a year, not of a mermaid that gains 300 years of service and then immortality from true love. Now I have to do a little digging to find the story I am thinking about, otherwise it will drive me crazy!

    As for this particular story, it read fast and had a great theme, as all fairy tales should.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2009
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I really loved this version of The Little Mermaid. It was very beautiful and sad at the same time. I loved the part where it was talking about each of the mermaid's 15th Birthday that they would go up to the serface and see what it was like. The book was sad in a way. It was when the little mermaid was talking to her grandmother and found out that they don't have a soul after they die. The part about the sea witch was kind of scary... but not. Though I didn't like how she had to cut the mermaid's tounge off. The mermaid does give up everything and her life... because the one whom she loved fell in love with another girl. You have to read this book for yourself. I really loved this book! I hope you will too!
    11 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2013
    Mermaids have always been my passion and collection (not sure why). When I was a little girl my favorite comic book was about a mermaid called Merna the Mermaid, when ever I read this comic I use to say I wanted to grow up to be a mermaid. Well, you can imagine why that didn't happen but when the story of "The Little Mermaid" came out, it peaked my interest even more. Now I collect everything that has to do with mermaids. The story of the little mermaid is a great story and Disney made it's version even better. Although I am not so much into the cartoon version anymore I still add to my collection and I will never let go of my book "The Little Mermaid"!
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2007
    I would recommend this book for girls between the ages of 14-16, as it is gothic, dark and disturbing. I could only read a few pages at night before putting the book down. This is the original Hans Christian Anderson telling, and not some gay, twisted-up with a happy-ending Disney-version! The Little Mermaid is obsessive about those of us living up here on land... Perhaps, feeling she doesn't belong in her world in the sea. So to show her devotion to her land Prince, she allows the Sea Hag to bewitch her, that she may walk and dance on land. She is in terrible emotional and physical pain, and in the end becomes a silent martyr for love. As this is how things go when one resorts to spells and manipulation! Santore's paintings seem to carry this depth with the pages of dark blue, green and gray colors. Personally, the painting are too dark for my taste. Santore's Little Mermaid could be any little neighbor girl you know. This story comes across as a metaphor for someone who thinks like a victim, or who is self-destructive. It could be a metaphor for someone who is disabled, or wanting to turn towards a spiritual life. I feel this book would make for interesting group discussion for teen girls. Finally, this story is based on true events from Hans Christian Anderson's life as a young man. It was his first original fairy tale for which he is most well-known.
    14 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2011
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    I bought this as a gift for my best friend's 21st birthday. (She loves everything Little Mermaid)
    I opened the package and was pleasantly surprised with this book. It's a bit bigger than I expected, but its beautiful! The layout is like a children's story book, but even non-children can enjoy this fairly long story (long for a kids story). The book looks thin but its substantial material. The illustration paintings are just lovely. If you're considering buying a copy of the Little Mermaid, buy this one. You wont be disappointed.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Dimitrij
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastique!
    Reviewed in France on March 9, 2017
    Un très beau livre, illustré par l'artist que j'aime Christian Birmingham!
    Je le conseille à tout ce qu'ils aime l'histoire de la petite sirène!
    Report
  • Carlos
    5.0 out of 5 stars Disney en inglés
    Reviewed in Spain on October 16, 2019
    Perfecto para que los peques se interesen por el inglés, y para que los mayores lo repasen.
  • Selvan
    3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
    Reviewed in India on April 29, 2016
    Good.
  • Celia B
    5.0 out of 5 stars True to the original tale and beautifully illustrated
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2011
    Having read several adaptations of this tale and come across a few people who don't know the original ending of the story and whose views are based on the Disney adaptation I felt compelled to write my own review of this book. In my opinion, the meaning of the original tale was lost in the Disney film and the protagonist was not accurately portrayed.

    Without giving too much away, the story is about a curious mermaid's quest for love. She suffers and sacrifices much to be with the one she loves, however, the course of love does not run smoothly and the ending here is a tragic one.

    This is a faithful translation of the original story if you want to read it to your child and the illustrations that capture the ethereal world of the little mermaid alone is worth purchasing. You can see some of the illustrations if you google Christian Birmingham books illustrated.

    In summary, if you are dithering over which version of The Little Mermaid to buy for both children and grown ups then this is the one.
  • うーたん
    5.0 out of 5 stars 美しい。。。
    Reviewed in Japan on December 23, 2008
    Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
    英語の勉強になればと思って買ったのですが正解でした!何より透明感溢れる絵がとっても美しくて、英語を勉強する気が失せている時でも、絵を見たさにページを開くからです(でもWizard of Ozに比べると少し英文が難しいです。ツヴェルガーの他の本は今のところ読んでいないのでわからないのですが)。全部の見開きページに大きい絵があるわけではないので、最初は少しもの足りない気もしましたが、大きな絵のないページにも魚や貝などの小さいモチーフが描かれていて海の気分を味わえます。人魚姫は哀しいお話ですが、絵が爽やかなのでそれほど悲痛な感じがせず、読後も悲しみをつきぬけたほのかな希望を感じることができました。海という舞台も、ツヴェルガーの画風にぴったりです。