Orpheline: A Mermaid Lost and Found Story

4.5

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Author(s)

Katelyn Aronson

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Dow Phumiruk

Publisher

Candlewick Press

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

June 10, 2025

ISBN

978-1536226515

Buy This Book

Discovering a baby mermaid on the beach is a dream come true—until Cora realizes that her wonderful find is someone else’s loss. A beautifully illustrated story for mermaid fans and tenderhearted readers everywhere.

“I’m Cora,” I say. “Don’t be afraid. You aren’t lost anymore. You’re found.”
Combing the beach after a lashing storm, Cora is busy filling her bag with sea glass when she spies an amazing sight by the water’s edge: a tiny mermaid nestled in an abalone shell. Mama’s face turns pale when she sees her, but soon the half baby, half fish is squirming in the bathtub, giggling on wheelbarrow rides, exploring tide pools, and playing shadow games with Cora. All is blissful until Cora hears some strange whispering coming from the baby’s shell necklace, a voice that calls “Orpheline, Orpheline . . .” Protest as she will, Cora knows that this precious baby belongs to the sea—and to someone who misses her dearly. Poignant, atmospheric, and shimmering with mermaid magic, Orpheline will win the heart of every child who’s longed to have their fantasies come true, if only for a little while.

Editor review

1 review

enchanting picture book read

September 21, 2025 (Updated: June 29, 2026)

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

ORPHELINE is a heartfelt story about home and friendship. Cora is exploring the beach when she finds a baby mermaid who seems lost. She brings her home and takes care of her. They have a lot of fun, but hearing Orpheline come through the shell she wears, Cora knows someone else is looking for her. After a storm, she brings Orpheline back to the water and to her mother, who gives Cora a shell just like Orpheline's. At the end, Cora hears Orpheline calling her through the shell and goes to visit her on the beach.

What I loved: This is a heartfelt story brimming with magic and love. While it is a little sad about Orpheline being lost, she and Cora have a wonderful time together and form their own bond. The ending is quite happy with Orpheline being reunited with her mother- and still being able to visit with Cora too. The illustrations are whimsical and suit the mood of the story perfectly. It feels like a fairy tale, both in the smooth text and the lovely pictures that go with it.

Due to the lengthier text, this will be best suited to older picture book readers, ideally young elementary school aged children who can appreciate the length and the story itself.

Final verdict: ORPHELINE is an enchanting picture book about love and friendship that will appeal to young lovers of magic and mermaids.