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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
Hard Working Mermaids by Kellen Roggenbuck is a children's picture book that introduces readers to arguably the most fun fantasy soul of the sea, the mermaid. The book begins with an acknowledgment that when most people imagine mermaids they think of them only in the context of the famous celebrity mermaids we've come to know, those who swim and sing and just live the easy life. Roggenbuck explains that this isn't true and that like their above water human counterparts, mermaids have all of the same successful and fulfilling careers albeit with a few minor adjustments. It is all underwater, after all. From there, several different mermaids are introduced with jobs such as restaurant owner, engineer, electrician, and carpenter, among others. Each mermaid is named and depicted in full color in their respective roles.
It's always impressive to me when I come across a children's book where the author is also the illustrator, so it was a pleasant surprise to open Hard Working Mermaids and find that Kellen Roggenbuck has mastered both. In addition to this, massive bonus points for a female-centric cast with nary a merman in sight. My daughter took extra time looking at the pictures, which was nice and asking questions, which is even better. I admit one of her questions threw me for a bit of a loop when she asked if Nikki's kelp farm was really just a ploy to trap fish for Madison's tacos, but however awkward a question may be, the only real thing that matters is that the story gets a child thinking and attempting to piece things together in their young mind. This is an endearing, engaging, and empowering book and I imagine it will be well received by adults and children alike.
