Pistes d'exploration

Read the story up to the point where Calypso asks Minnow to be remarkable. Predict what special talent Minnow might discover.

How does Minnow react when her sister calls her “useless”? Note the expression on Minnow’s face. Generate a list of adjectives that describe Minnow.

What adjectives would you use to describe Calypso? Why do you think she finds her sister and her story “useless”?

As a daring explorer, write a story about Minnow’s latest discovery!

Read the story up until Calypso asks Minnow to be remarkable. Predict what special talent Minnow might discover. What are your talents? Discuss with a partner.

Start a Sea Vocabulary chart or poster.

Re-imagine ordinary things from another point of view, such as noisy fish (birds) and monstrous leg-hands (feet).

First Encyclopedia of Seas & Oceans, Extraordinary Jane, A, B, Sea: A Deep-Sea Symphony

Mots-clés

Picture book , curiosity , exploration , individuality , mermaids , oceans , talent

Commentaire descriptif

Minnow isn’t “remarkable” like her mermaid sisters; she has no hobby or talent—only “many, many questions.” Readers may relate to Minnow, whose curiosity seems to exaggerate her lack of skills. But when she finds a mysterious object drifting in the current, her curiosity finds a purpose. Lovely illustrations create a world of sombre waters and luminescent creatures. In one spread, Minnow’s flowing hair glows white; she holds out the red shoe she has found, while an octopus makes a shrugging gesture with two tentacles. As her search for answers takes her closer to land, the images beautifully depict a sunny world, above and below translucent waters. In the spread, showing Minnow back home, sharing her new knowledge, the dark is illuminated with bright bubbles that reflect images of Minnow’s adventure: “She told them of the landmaid and of shoes and the monstrous leg-hands they were made to hide.” Readers will be pleased that Minnow’s gift for exploration and storytelling finds a receptive audience: “‘Will you tell us more?’ they cried. ‘That,’ said Minnow, ‘is what I’m here for!’”