The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime

by Eija Sumner, Nici Gregory (Illustrator)

This little mermaid is too FIERCE and SCARY and FEROCIOUS to follow The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime . . . well, except the part about snuggling her shark stuffie. A hilarious picture book for kids ages 3 to 7 who are experts at resisting sleep.

Once upon an evening, a good little mermaid begins to get ready for bed.
Once upon? No. Not once upon. I know what that means. And I'm NOT a good little mermaid. I am a PREDATOR!

Thus begins our story of a little mermaid who is anything but good.
Sleep? Sleep is for guppies! This little mermaid is a TERROR of the DEEP.

Cleaning up and putting toys away? This little mermaid doesn't need TOYS. The ocean is her playground, and everything in it is afraid of HER.

Brushing her teeth and flossing? Never! Well . . . maybe a little bit so they gleam like RAZOR-SHARP BLADES.

Cleverly told through a back and forth between The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime and a mermaid who is resisting bedtime at every turn, this story will delight readers with its hilarious illustrations and adorable but VERY SCARY main character. Will she ever go to sleep? Read on to find out.

Genres: Picture Books, Mermaids, Fantasy, Humor, Juvenile, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published March 24, 2024

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, this is perfect for younger ones who have a sense of humor and are opposed to bedtime. I could really see a toddler group loving this story during a pajama storytime. The constrasting of the “good little mermaid” in the story “being read” to the actual main character that is a “scary” mermaid is perfect. The illustrations relied heavily on hues of blue and worked well with the story itself. Highly recommend this one.

[Mel (Epic Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG, this is awesome!! I can absolutely see a toddler or slightly older child being so amused and ready to read the lines in the book by the bad little mermaid.
Each page of this story has a little note about what a good mermaid does (ie: clean-up, brush teeth, snuggle with stuffy, etc) while preparing for bed. On the adjacent page is a devilish little mermaid that screams out something obnoxious or counter to it all. In some cases she concedes that doing something like brushing her teeth is okay because then they are sparkly and sharp! Lol. It’s just a fun way to get your child engaged in my opinion. And to make them feel like they are a bit evil. I’ve met toddlers and kids under 6 who are absolutely like this. Mostly sweet kids, but also like to pretend to cause trouble. This book is perfect for them!
And the final adieu that is “Sweet Nightmares” is a great way to cap it off. I love the little shark stuffy (cause sharks are scary of course) and the way the illustrations really portray the mild insanity of this little mermaid. It’s all in good fun, and I do think that is obvious, therefore I highly recommend this book as a great toddler interaction. Teach them the responses of the mermaid after you say the good little mermaid lines; and hopefully you enjoy some great giggles with your little one!

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“ ‘A filtered room will create a restful atmosphere.’ The only atmosphere I know is the atmosphere of FEAR that follows me WHEREVER I GO.”
The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide To Bedtime is my new favorite children’s book. You’ve seen all the mermaid stories where princesses sing to the fish and pine after men, right? Of course you have. But what if there was a different type of mermaid? A chaotic predator of the darkness, queen of the deep. Well look no further, because this book is the story of a predator mermaid.
Our little main character is reading a book to herself before going to bed - a silly book for good mermaids. She is NOT a good mermaid. She is a chaotic creature of the deep and I love her. I love the art style and the crazy goofiness of this character. We need more characters like this in children’s literature.
Girls are not all soft and fluffy calm princesses. Some of them are predators of the deep.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book!! It was hilarious and enchanting.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime was my granddaughter's choice as she loves mermaids. She was in for a surprise with this book. This little mermaid is not a good little one. She is fierce and ferocious, she likes to scare things and eat them with her sharp teeth. This was not a sweet mermaid following the rules, but more like Ursula from The Little Mermaid. This is a story of resisting all the behaviours that you want your own little mermaid to follow to get ready for bed. I thought this was a cute story, and at first, my granddaughter was a bit worried that it would be scary, but eventually she thought it was funny. It isn't until the end that the mermaid decides that maybe she needs to go to bed and have a rest. The illustrations are wonderful. Although the mermaid is cartoonish, she has sharp razor-like teeth and her expressions can be pretty scary and mean. It is all good fun and we ended up enjoying this one.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off this has the cutest damn art I have ever seen. Easily top 5 of my all time favorite picture books and that is a tough thing to accomplish. I would see "I'm a predator" being my kids favorite line when they were little. I laughed so hard and she is my favorite mermaid on the planet. Grr I'm a predator. hahaha. I love her! I read the book about a week ago and just writing the review makes me want to reread it. My children are 24 and 18 but I will be adding this to my picture book library.

10 out of 5 stars!!!

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A snarky, unconventional take on mermaids, perfect for lower-elementary kids and very enjoyable for parents too! Here we have all the beats for a perfect bedtime routine, with hilarious commentary from an adorably ferocious, recalcitrant mermaid. The illustrations pair perfectly with this story: a soothing palette, and cute without being saccharine. A fun addition to the bedtime roster! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance digital copy of the book for review.

[Katie Kirschenheiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little scary for my young daughter, she didn't like the sharp teeth.

[Lia Anshar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a "bad" mermaid who is hard to follow direction to be a good mermaid. So, this book has two point of view, the good mermaid and the bad mermaid and along the story, they contradict each other. I love this part! It adds an interesting depth to the story for children to be able to see what is the right thing to do and what is the wrong thing to do. I've never seen such a way of story telling before and I think this book would be a good one to add to my lesson!

As for the illustration, I think it's nice. I read some of the reviews that said the pictures looked scary but I don't think so. Some children love monsters and other characters like that, so I think they would love these too.

[molly]

i quite liked it but the kids were confused. that was my fault tho the book was too advanced for them

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far uglier than anticipated. The dark story I can get behind but not the illustrations

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO FUNNY 😂😂😂

[anakdenesor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" is a charming and enchanting picture book that takes young readers on a magical underwater journey right before they drift off to sleep. Written by the imaginative author, this delightful book is illustrated by the talented artist, bringing the story to life in vibrant colors and captivating detail. Through the eyes of the good little mermaid, readers are transported to a captivating underwater realm where they encounter whimsical sea creatures, shimmering coral reefs, and mysterious treasures. The story gently encourages young readers to embrace bedtime rituals and sleep peacefully through the night. The beautifully rhymed text flows effortlessly, creating a soothing and melodic rhythm that lulls readers into a state of tranquility. Each page turn reveals a new adventure or a helpful bedtime tip, making the book both engaging and educational. The enchanting illustrations perfectly complement the text, immersing readers in the mesmerizing world of the little mermaid. One of the standout features of this picture book is its relatable and endearing characters. The good little mermaid becomes an instant friend, guiding young readers through a series of soothing activities like counting seashells or listening to the calming sound of ocean waves. The book skillfully promotes positive bedtime habits, inspiring children to relax and unwind before they embark on their own deep-sea dreams. While "The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" is truly a delightful read, it could benefit from a slightly longer storyline to fully capture the reader's attention. Further exploration of the underwater world and introducing additional sea creatures would further enhance the sense of wonder and imagination that the book evokes. In conclusion, "The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" is a magical and captivating picture book that effortlessly transports young readers to a dreamy underwater world. Its soothing rhymes, enchanting illustrations, and gentle messages make it a perfect choice for bedtime routines. Dive into this delightful adventure and let the mermaid's gentle guidance carry your little ones into a peaceful night's sleep

[The Littles · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Eija Sumner’s latest release, The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime, when precocious mermaid is guided through a routine to prepare her for bed, she lashes out, resisting every attempt to soothe her. Contrary to what parents or guardians might hope: that’s it; there’s no resolution to this problem.

With a five-year-old obsessed with mermaids and bedtime occasionally proving tricky, I couldn’t get my hands on this title quick enough. Hoping the devious expression of the mermaid on the cover was a slip of Nici Gregory’s stylus and not deliberate, we opened the cover without concern. Now, having read an additional story to make up for…whatever this was, I wish I had paid more attention to the the stunning choice of color and fluidity seen in the remainder of the art. Gregory is a talented illustrator; each stroke was intentional and skillfully expressed.

By all accounts, this story should have been perfect for our audience. A family who teases often, it’s not unusual to hear our youngest list the reasons she shouldn’t have to end her day. So, when the narrative’s initial counsel was met with push-back, we didn’t balk. Certain the mermaid would see reason and rest peacefully by the end of the tale, we continued. However, the title character's lack of kindness to fellow sea creatures never ended and her blatant disregard for the narrator only got worse. Long before the final page, I found myself wishing I had previewed the story before sharing. Still, I think my daughter’s observation summarized the ordeal best when she quipped, “This mermaid is mean and not good at all. Why did they call it that? I don’t want to read anymore.” This is one picture book we won’t be keeping on our shelves.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Tundra Books for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jakki (BizzyBookNook) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had cute illustrations and i thought the story line was amusing. I was a little let down thinking that this would be more of a book that could help me with my own little ones in getting them to want to have a better bed tie routine. Over all it was cute and my daughter loved it.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a fun story - who doesn't have a contrary child in their life? The illustrations are great and definitely engaging. Thanks #NetGalley #PenguinRandomHouse

[Amanda Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of "The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" in exchange for a honest and thoughtful review.

"The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" is a delightful story about a mermaid that is just too fearsome and
terrifying to require sleep. The story is engagingly funny, with relatable scenarios that any parent of a spirited child struggling to embrace bedtime will appreciate.

The illustrations in "The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" are a standout feature, enriching the story's humor and engaging young readers. My daughter was especially taken with the amusing depictions of the sharks. These vibrant visuals not only add to the overall charm of the book but also enhance its whimsical, relatable narrative.

However, as wonderfully thought out as this book is, there is a complex narrative device that may not be as effective for the youngest readers. The story cleverly reflects upon itself with a "book within a book" setup. But this meta storytelling is represented through an illustration so small and tucked away in a corner that it may be overlooked by young readers, making the frame story slightly less clear. Still, this does not detract significantly from the book's value as a fun and practical bedtime aid.

The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" could potentially help parents to alleviate the stress often associated with children's bedtime. It is a memorable addition to any child's library, filled with laughter, relatable struggles, and of course, delightful mermaids and sharks.

[Morrigan Gaines · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy. This is my honest review.**

I have four children and I did read this to my almost 8 year old daughter and my 6 year old daughter. I'm including their impressions as well.

8 year old: rating 3.5 stars. She thinks this would be a good book for 5 and up because younger kids may get a little scared. She did enjoy it however and thought it was funny.

6 year old: Did not like this book because the mermaid was scary in her opinion.

Moms review: This is a humorous book with a "scary" mermaid who doesn't want to go to bed and keeps refuting what the bedtime guidebook says. I thought the illustrations were very cute and fun. I did like the story but agree that if a child is expecting the glamourized version of a mermaid, the whole talk of luring people into the depths/swallowing trawlers while all not really happening in the book, may scare younger kids.
I personally loved that we got a mermaid that is not glamourized. Even if a lot of this was in the mermaids mind, it still was a refreshing change. This is a book I'd buy for mythology loving kids and/or borrow from my library. I thought it was a cute and fresh take on mermaid storybooks.

[Dianne White · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Once upon an evening, a good little mermaid begins to get ready for bed." Except... wait a minute! Our protagonist insists she is NOT a good little mermaid. While the omniscient narrator continues to tell the tale (and the parent/caregiver continues to read-aloud), I can hear the giggles bubbling up. This is going to be a silly tale of a child who does NOT like bedtime.

Our reluctant mermaid comes up with one excuse after another. Why would a terrifying mermaid need to pick up her toys? Who needs a tidy space and peace of mind? After all, isn't the ocean her playground? And doesn't everybody know that she has NO need of toys?

Readers will predict that, eventually, the reluctant mermaid - lulled by the currents of the ocean - will yawn, and yes..., fall fast asleep. Isn't that what all good, little mermaid do? :-)

This adorable book is perfect for bedtime avoiders, lovers of mermaids and scary (but hilarious), stories!

[Dogsandbooksanddogsandbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

🐚Hands down, this is one of the best bedtime story books I've had the pleasure to read.

🐚Two books are within the pages, one is the bedtime story book featuring a good little mermaid and all that she has to do to prepare for bedtime. And then there is our precocious little mermaid; she isn't a good little mermaid, she is A PREDATOR! Be prepared for the mermaid that has determined she won't be pigeonholed into a modern day's version of a simpering lady of the sea. She is fierce and proud of it. But she does get tired just like the children you will want to read this book to at bedtime.

🐚Each page follows the two books along with some fun, ocean-inspired colored artwork. I cannot wait for the 7 and under grandkids to be here in the next two months for me to read this aloud at bedtime.

🐚Not available until March of 2024, I will be pre-ordering this one. Mark your calendars and TBR lists.

thank you to PRH CA and Netgalley for access to an early e-copy. All opinions are me own.

[A Broken Zebra · Rating 5 out of 5]

NETGALLEY & Penguin Random House Canada / Tundra Books ARC

Okay, I am almost 40, have no tiny humans, and I want this book for myself. xD I will definitely buy for my niece.

It has whimsical, cozy artwork. It's delightful and cute, cute, cute. The mermaid is quite confident and stubborn in an adorable way, and possess a fabulous imagination that is reflected through her eyes as well as reality (ex: she sees her teeth as fangs, but the mirror shows more practical teeth). She acquiesces when it fulfills her I’m-A-Terror narrative before succumbing to bed for the sake of her plushie/stuffed animal. And there is a Meta-ness (when asking who wrote the book, etc). The mermaid is charmingly funny, from pictures to her proclamations. Writing is good too, and instills practices worth pursuing; physical and mental healthy things, alike.

[Angelica Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I would write this book as a 7/10. The illustrations are really what drew me to this book because there’s a boy mom mermaids really aren’t my go to thing. However, the illustrations on this book were amazing! Each page was full of color and had a lot going on but in a good way. A way that would would hold a child’s attention. With that being said, I did not read the description before, jumping straight into the book, so at the end I didn’t really know what the point was. After reading the description, it became clear that it was a story to assist a parent with a child who struggling and resisting sleep. I will say I was not fond of the “good mermaid” versus “bad mermaid” feel of the story. In the way that I feel like the story was saying if you don’t do these things, then you’re not a good mermaid but I could be wrong that’s just what I got from it.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you read the title, but look at the cover, you see the oxymoron. The book is titled the Good little mermaids guide to bedtime, but the mermaid on the front cover has a sinister evil look. And that is because that little mermaid is not good. She is evil in all the ways that make evil evil. She doesn’t want to go to bed. She doesn’t want to clean her face, or moisturize her scales, but to be shiny like a dagger, not soft like something fluffy. This book was fantastic, and I will be buying a copy for my permanent collection. The artwork had the perfect mix of sinister and sweet that I want hanging on my walls. This is one of those books that says it’s OK to not live by the old Sugar and spice and everything nice, that you can have a darker haunted soul but still be a good girl. I love this book I loved everything about it.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new to us author for our family and what a fun discovery. Eija Sumner did a marvelous job telling the story of getting little ones to bed. I am a mom of an autistic 4 year old boy and a 10 month old girl and this story really captured our everyday challenges in a fun way. YOur littles will love the back-and-forth telling of this story as we discover why the good little mermaid might not be so good, in fact she is a predator. Trying to get ready for bed becomes an entire adventure, just like in our home. Families will love this fun tale with its funny illustrations that go perfectly with the feel of the story. We received this as an ARC but will be buying to add to our collection for sure. Have fun with this adventure.

[Megan Lacera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny twist on the classic mermaid lore...instead of a sweet, docile creature of the deep, this mermaid is fierce and fiery...one who imagines herself as the nightmare of the seas. Kids who love some irony and who have a flare for a tiny bit creepy will love The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime. It's an energetic take on sweet and gentle bedtime stories that are lovely but often don't take into account the reality that many kids have a rebellious side that's best honored and appreciated rather than simple ignored. Adults may slight recognize the (very) subtle ode to and parody of 1955s The Good House Wife's Guide...and nod and laugh along with their kids as they appreciate we're no longer obligated to do all the things "good" mermaids do.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime, by Eija Sumner is an interesting children's book. The story focuses on a little mermaid that does anything and everything to avoid going to bed. This is a cute story written for children with nice pictures that fit the story very well. I requested this story thinking it would be fun to read to a grandchild at bedtime. However, since it is a child that already avoids going to bed, I would keep this for a story to read just for the fun of it. It's a cute story but in my case, I suspect it will give my grandchild more excuses to not go to bed. For that reason I will give this book a four star rating.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is about a mermaid who is reading a book about bedtime and scoffing at the docile, polite activities the character is involved in. She isn't a pretty, sweet mermaid like that! She is the terror of the seas! This will make plenty of kids and parents laugh, but the illustrations end up being too scary-looking for the majority of the book. The sharp teeth, diabolical angry scowls, and predatory interactions with other sea creatures will be too much for many little kids, and I would mainly just recommend this for elementary-aged kids who like sassy, scary characters.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Reeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an advance reader copy of this book. Here is my honest review
I snagged The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime because my "Good Little Mermaid," does not settle down for bed very easily. The story was much different than I expected. But the unexpected was a treat. The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedime is a fun humorous story that can be enjoyed at bedtime or laughed at during the day as well. My three year old daughter's current favorite books are about monsters so I think this will be the perfect book to add to her collection. It is not actually scary, but shows the fierce side of a mermaid in a fun way. And at the end of the day, even a fierce mermaid goes to sleep.

[Reading With Ginger Spice]

Are you a meek and pampered little mermaid? Or a you a terrifying and ferocious merbeast? Either way… this is a good book to read to your little ones (or even just to amuse yourself!) This book is a fantastic little tale about bedtime routines. It is adorable and terrifying!
The little mermaid in this book is a terrifying little monster and you will love her for it! The book is told as though she is reading “The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide to Bedtime” book while giving her commentary on it. Some of what the “good” little mermaid does is good for you to implement into your own routine, even our favorite merterror will say so!

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book feels like/looks like it would be a such a cute book to read as a bedtime story. The little mermaid does all of the things to get ready for bed, but she doesn't really want to sleep. However, the mermaid is very creepy looking throughout (and yes, that does track with the story...it's just very awkward as a bedtime read). It may be a little scary/dark for young readers, it just really depends on the child. It is filled with digital illustrations that could potentially haunt some young children at bedtime. I did not enjoy the style of illustrations at all. I wouldn't recommend this book to children or parents as a "bedtime" read. (Diamond 25-26)

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh goodness how fun twisting around the typical mermaid perspective and showing more of the original personality of mermaids shine through. This book just makes me smile. Yes, it is dark and many current mermaid lovers might be confused, but it is dark in a fun way that kids will love. Overall, this is just a fun book. One where it shows that personality can shine. You don’t have to be the perfect mermaid just be you.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.