Millie Mermaid Wants to Go to School

by Janet McCormick; Illustrations by Steven Gordon Linebaugh. Authorhouse

“Janet McCormick wants kids to talk about what’s on their minds . With this interactive picture book, each page offers prompts for starting conversations about thoughts, feelings and ideas that enhance the read-aloud experience.

Millie Mermaid is too little to keep up with her older sister and her friends, and she’s tired of getting aced out of all the fun. Going to school would solve this problem, she thinks, and she waits impatiently for that day — but when it finally arrives, she has misgivings.

With an extensive background in preschool education, McCormick ably zeroes in on little-kid frustrations and anxieties, demonstrating how the future can be simultaneously exciting and scary. The goal of the ‘Let’s Talk About It’ books is to start a dialog that encourages young audiences to think critically and consider their own experiences in a reassuring atmosphere.

Charming undersea illustrations by Steven Gordon Linebaugh add to the fun. McCormick, a former preschool director and curriculum developer, lives in Tucson.”

— Helene Woodhams, Arizona Daily Star, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024

What The Readers Say

I bought this book for my 5 year old granddaughter who is currently obsessed with all things Mermaid. She is also beginning to feel some apprehension about attending kindergarten in the fall. On the first read through we did not do the questions, as her interest was in the story and she didn’t like me stopping. She really liked the story and was more open to letting me work in the questions during subsequent reads…and there have been many! This has become one of her favorite books. Repetition is key for her feeling safe with a story and once that happens we can use the very helpful questions to see how she’s feeling about things. That makes this book a double-win for us!

Teacher Approved! For classroom or at home!
This book has it all: cute characters, relatable for youngers, a story with a message, and my favorite part- questions to go with every page! As an elementary school teacher, I can see students or children easily relating to this book about having to wait to do something, in this case, school, especially if they have older siblings that get to do things that they themselves can't do yet. There are prompting questions that go with each page and break down the book's true intentions so children can help process their own emotions and feelings towards these real-life situations, and use what they process and learn through the book in their life, as well.

I read this book to my grandsons, ages 4 and 6. The book held their interest. Both answered the book’s questions and seemed to be absorbing the story. I asked what they liked best about the story and both said the happy and sad faces. They enjoyed that interactive part. What was helpful for their parents to hear was their answers to the question about what helps them when they feel sad. Each had 2 or 3 things and they said immediately. I was surprised about how quickly they each responded. That was great information for their parents to know and for them to hear from each other. Also, I thought that 2 boys might think Millie, a sister and a hair ribbon did not apply to them. They had no reaction to that and so I guess that was my stereotyping!

Bibliotherapy for preschool and beyond.
As an educator of thirty-six years, this book would be a great addition to school counselors' and elementary teachers' libraries. Millie's struggle to understand the reasons for not being able to go where her older sister goes is a common theme with close siblings. The dialogue between Millie and her mother allows the reader to become interactive with the listeners. Guided questions gives a novice as well as an experienced educator an open venue for children to voice similar situations that they may have in their lives.