Review Detail

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.