Chicken and Mermaid by Laurel Lorenzini is about friendship. You shouldn’t let others dictate who you can be friends with unless it is a matter of safety. Chicken and Mermaid are the best of friends, even though they are very different. It all began one day when Mermaid rescued Chicken when he was tangled in seaweed by the shore. They spent every Friday together, sharing their favorite foods and laughing at their favorite jokes. One day a seagull joined them and although they tried to be polite, Seagull pointed out their differences, explaining why they shouldn’t and couldn’t be friends. When Chicken didn’t show up the following Friday, Mermaid was worried her friend believed the mean seagull. That made Mermaid sad. She wasn’t about to give up; her friendship with Chicken was too important to lose.

Laurel Lorenzini’s Chicken and Mermaid is all about friendship, equity, inclusion, and simply enjoying others for who they are, despite their differences. The story is in simple language that young readers can easily follow. The illustrations are bright, bold, colorful, and just as playful as the story itself. The plot follows Chicken and Mermaid’s budding friendship; the story shares their likes and dislikes and some of their special jokes. Their time spent together is full of good food and laughter. The powerful message within this delightful book rings true: we must respect each other, irrespective of our differences. After all, it is our differences that make us and our relationships shine brighter. This is an absolutely beautiful story.

A charming story with a powerful lesson, Chicken and Mermaid by Laurel Lorenzini follows the friendship of two unusual friends. One day, Chicken was wandering along the beach and his foot got stuck when he neared the sea. Time passed and he thought he would never free himself. Fortunately, Mermaid came along and found Chicken. She unwound the seaweed that held Chicken’s leg. After that, the two became firm friends. They met each week and enjoyed spending time together. Though different, they found activities they both enjoyed and loved each other’s food. A nosy seagull joined them in one of their meetings. The seagull wondered how Chicken and Mermaid who were so different could be friends. The week after meeting the seagull, Chicken did not show up.

Chicken and Mermaid is a beautiful story with practical lessons for young and adult readers. Amanda Letcher’s gorgeous, straightforward illustrations bring the characters and scenes to life. From Chicken and Mermaid’s first encounter, children will learn the value of kindness in friendship. They will also learn to be open-minded and enjoy friendships with people who are different from them. They will learn to find common ground and not let differences and other people’s opinions keep them from building relationships. With a heartwarming story packed with important lessons about mutual respect, kindness, and associations, Laurel Lorenzini has created a wonderful picture book that readers will love. It is an easy read and contains valuable lessons about overcoming differences and creating lasting friendships.