Rating: My bookshelf

Reading Level: Early Elementary

So much to love about this fantasy chapter book for very young readers:

  • The parents trust Itty with a job, telling her it’s because she was responsible in a previous job. I love the lesson of building trust by showing responsibility.
  • Modest mermaid clothing (see cover photo for an example
  • The princess heeds the rules given by her parents
  • Problem solving and teamwork

Potential concerns:

  • Quite obviously readers encounter mermaids, but also unicorns and other fantasy creatures
  • The princess is admittedly going on a dangerous mission and into a dark cave by herself. Wisdom would say she should go get help from an adult. That said, her parents did give her permission to go on the mission, so she is under their authority, even though not wise for either party.