I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. I have no criticisms for the artist. The art is vibrant and unique and perfect for the story. Art=5 stars.

The story is cute. I like the idea of the mermaid girl going out on an adventure and discovering that she actually is afraid of something. Little ones will like the story, but for me it was a little bit of a rough read. Story=3 stars.

A cute indie picture book that depicts a little mermaid who is never scared, and too confident about her bravery.

Mellie the Mermaid loves to explore the ocean around her. Though her parents advise her to be careful, Mellie is not scared of anything and continues to go further and further in her adventures. However, one fine day, she has an encounter that does give her the jitters. How will this scary experience change her?

I have read many picture books telling kids not to be scared, to step beyond their fear, to be brave. Here’s a book that begins the opposite way. Mellie is shown as being so confident that nothing rattles her. At the same time, she doesn’t heed her parents’ warnings about being careful and hence she goes a step too far. Her sense of curiosity comes out well in the story.

The book works at many levels. It shows children that there is a thin line between being brave and being reckless. It helps them understand why it is good to listen to their parents, who are more knowledgeable about the world around them. It also lets them know that one scary encounter doesn’t mean that they stop adventuring, but to use it as a learning experience and continue exploring with care.

I also liked how Mellie’s parents were not shown as overbearing or controlling. They advise Mellie to take care, and then leave her be. When she comes to them later, they don’t scold her for not listening to their instructions but encourage her to continue being brave. A lesson here for parents too!

While I loved the message of the story, the text left me with slightly mixed feelings. There are many onomatopoeic words and repeated lines that would be great while reading aloud. However, the text seems to shuffle between rhythmic prose and plain prose randomly. The old ship being named ‘Nellie’ was too forceful a rhyme with ‘Mellie’. There are a couple of lines in second person, which don’t fit in with the overall third person narration.

The illustrations are mostly gorgeous. The underwater world is depicted beautifully, and the marine diversity is excellent. I liked Mellie’s look also a lot, though her hair bow kept changing sides abruptly, and I didn’t understand how she was wearing a white top underwater. Her dad was also a bit too well-groomed for a merman. Anyway, let’s chalk all that up to creative license. The book is still pretty to look at, even digitally.

Overall, a great debut attempt with a worthwhile message. The book is aimed at readers aged 3-5 years. Recommended to little readers who are sometimes too brave for their own good.

3.75 stars.


My thanks to Finch Press and NetGalley for the DRC of “Mellie the Mermaid: Is NOT Scared of ANYTHING”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is a cute children’s book that will teach your children to be careful and safe. Millie was sure nothing would scare her in the deep deep sea until she came upon a shark.

Nellie the Mermaid is Not Afraid of Anything is a cute story with beautiful, bright illustrations. This book has a great message for children. You can have your independence to explore the world while staying safe and aware of your surroundings!

Thank you to Finch Press giving me an opportunity to review an advanced copy of a children’s book! Award winning author Anna Finch has created a beautiful book that will help children (and adults too!) in this post-COVID world. So many people have developed social anxiety from our past pandemic (and prior to that as well). Millie the Mermaid navigates the sea-world outside her home with bravery, and also learns a lesson in being careful, while still enjoying new experiences. I would 100% read this story to my grandchild, and am honored to voluntarily give this honest review for a wonderful children’s book! #MellietheMermaidIsNOTScaredofANYTHING #NetGalley

Mellie is a mermaid. But she's not just any mermaid in this bright and beautiful book by Anna Finch. Nope. Mellie's a mermaid who isn't afraid of anything.

Mellie's parents urge her to be careful when she announces her plans to explore an old ship. Mellie swims through the deep blue around jellyfish and coral and snapping clams, turtles and eels. She's not afraid. Not even when the old ship begins to creak and crack. Then a "big, toothy shark" appears, and... Well. Mellie swims to where it's safe: at home with her loved ones.

This is a sweet and endearing read. The brief and easy-to-read text combines with beautiful color illustrations to captivate and engage young ones. It's sure to be a winner with its target audience of children ages three to five and those who love them.