Happy book birthday, Mermaids Are The Worst by Alex Willan!

 We're not done shouting 'Happy Birthday', yet! This one came out two days ago and adds to an already fun list of partner books by this author, which feature Gilbert and his mixing with various types of mythical beings. I have read almost every single one of these because they've always made me smile, are easy to read, and silly. Humor often seems to be lacking in life, anymore...at least, pure humor with only a very light message at most.

Anyway, I'm curious what Gilbert has to say about mermaids because it's sure to be giggle-worthy.

MERMAIDS ARE THE WORST!

by Alex Willan

Simon & Schuster

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 8 to 12

Gilbert the Goblin’s beachside vacation gets ruined by mermaids and their games in the side-splitting latest installment in The Worst! picture book series, where even the strangest of creatures can become the best of friends.

Who doesn’t love a good vacation? Soaking up some sun, floating on the waves and…arm wrestling an octopus? When mermaids show up in the middle of Gilbert’s goblin getaway, their fin-flapping festivities quickly turn rest and relaxation into stress and aggravation.

This is clearly proof that mermaids are the worst! Can Gilbert find his beachside bliss or will he be caught in the undertow of these seaside shenanigans?

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /    B&N

MY TIDBITS

I've had the honor of reading several of Alex Willan's books in this row andbelieve they get better with time. In this book, Gilbert has a run-in with mermaids. All he wants is to go on vacation....a goblin's daily life can get stressful, after all...but just as he settles down on the beach to enjoy the peace and warmth, the mermaids show up to have an annual competition. A huge one. That means utter chaos for Gilbert.

While this books centers around mermaids, it's for more than just mermaid or fantasy fans. Gilbert's not-always-so-subtle snark and clever observations poke fun at some of the beloved traits of mermaids, which will make non-mermaid fans smile. The sarcasm is impossible to miss. This isn't the only place the humor works its magic, though. Gilbert finds himself in ridiculous situations, and even if he has simple intentions, nothing ever runs as he'd hoped. There's silliness the entire way through, and yet...

The cynical and silly humor is accompanied by the never-dying cheerfulness of the mermaids. This is where mermaid fans will enjoy the read, too. The mermaids bounce from one competition to the next, never showing even the slightest hint of bad will or frustrated thoughts. They're always kind and radiate goodness from each and every page...to Gilbert's dismay as it's often over-the-top. There's a surprising twist at the end to close everything off on a very good note. So, it's a positive read through and through...just with Gilbert's talent for cynicism trying to add a grumpy note. 

This is a great read for even the younger end of the audience level. The text is kept short in small bubbles or phrases throughout. The vocabulary fits the age group and does add some word growth but doesn't lay heavily into this end, either. While the text sets the basis for the plot, the bright and bold illustrations carry the story and weave in most of the humor. Listeners, who are unsure of their words, can pick this one up and flip through it on their own to revisit and enjoy the tale through the images.

I'm curious what creatures Gilbert still may run into and see this book as a fun read-aloud to make groups or single listeners smile.

And here he is...

If it was Alex Willan, and not Gilbert the Goblin, who was in charge of writing the stories, he’d make a book called Anchovies are the Worst!. Alex is the author-illustrator of the Worst! picture book series and the Jasper & Ollie series, as well as the illustrator of Got Your Nose, written by Alan Katz. Alex lives in Chicago with his dog, Harley, who is the absolute best. Visit him online at AlexWillan.com.