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The Mermaid's Gift
Out of a bitter storm comes a gift that saves a village.
In this adaptation of an Italian folktale, the young fisherman Gianni braves the thawing, ice-bound lagoon of Burano to catch fish to feed the starving people of his island. His fiancée, Nicoletta, prays for his safety. Gianni, swept from his fishing boat, is rescued by a mermaid who whips the water into a length of elegant lace, which she gives to Gianni for Nicoletta’s wedding veil. This gorgeously illustrated tale recounts the mythical origins of Burano lace, whose production has long been a vital part of the island’s economy and vibrant culture, ensuring the islanders would never go hungry. The lace is still famed throughout the world for its scalloped, wave-like patterns.
In this adaptation of an Italian folktale, the young fisherman Gianni braves the thawing, ice-bound lagoon of Burano to catch fish to feed the starving people of his island. His fiancée, Nicoletta, prays for his safety. Gianni, swept from his fishing boat, is rescued by a mermaid who whips the water into a length of elegant lace, which she gives to Gianni for Nicoletta’s wedding veil. This gorgeously illustrated tale recounts the mythical origins of Burano lace, whose production has long been a vital part of the island’s economy and vibrant culture, ensuring the islanders would never go hungry. The lace is still famed throughout the world for its scalloped, wave-like patterns.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2015
243 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 23, 2022
What a magnificent tale! I’m not sure how to categorize it because it weaves together fact and fable to tell the story of how the lace-making industry began on the Italian island of Burano five hundred years ago.
The community is starving because the ice-bound lagoon has kept the fishermen from sea all winter. Now at the first sign of thaw, one brave young man, Gianni, takes his boat out. But was he brave or foolish? The other fishermen laugh at him, and the women taunt his fiancé, Nicoletta, who defends him while she stands at the window waiting, watching and praying for his return.
Gianni is thrown overboard by a breaker, but not drowned and he manages to find one of his oars. Later he is led to his boat by a mermaid who tells him that Nicoletta is waiting for him, and her tail whips up a froth that rose like mist and settled over the grateful young man in folds of delicate lace. “A gift for the bride. A veil for her wedding day!” And she vanished.
Gianni brought the beautiful lace back to his community instead of fish. The ladies immediately saw the potential for staving off impending doom. Nicoletta and Gianni surrendered the lace as a guide for making more lace to sell in nearby Venice and so the lace-making business was begun, but only after an altar cloth was made for the church! Then they began on handkerchiefs, frilly collars, table linens, and christening gowns.
Gianni and Nicoletta married, and she did wear the beautiful veil, which they never could sell. Best of all the community never went hungry again.
The Author’s Note gives a detailed history of the town after this fabled beginning. A story for all ages.
The community is starving because the ice-bound lagoon has kept the fishermen from sea all winter. Now at the first sign of thaw, one brave young man, Gianni, takes his boat out. But was he brave or foolish? The other fishermen laugh at him, and the women taunt his fiancé, Nicoletta, who defends him while she stands at the window waiting, watching and praying for his return.
Gianni is thrown overboard by a breaker, but not drowned and he manages to find one of his oars. Later he is led to his boat by a mermaid who tells him that Nicoletta is waiting for him, and her tail whips up a froth that rose like mist and settled over the grateful young man in folds of delicate lace. “A gift for the bride. A veil for her wedding day!” And she vanished.
Gianni brought the beautiful lace back to his community instead of fish. The ladies immediately saw the potential for staving off impending doom. Nicoletta and Gianni surrendered the lace as a guide for making more lace to sell in nearby Venice and so the lace-making business was begun, but only after an altar cloth was made for the church! Then they began on handkerchiefs, frilly collars, table linens, and christening gowns.
Gianni and Nicoletta married, and she did wear the beautiful veil, which they never could sell. Best of all the community never went hungry again.
The Author’s Note gives a detailed history of the town after this fabled beginning. A story for all ages.
March 11, 2016
Learned a lot about lace making on the one island and how the lore of the mermaid's gift started a whole industry!! The illustrations were great!!
October 24, 2016
This is a lovely book for children with good writing and beautiful illustrations.
August 24, 2024
Such a lovely folktale! I know I've mentioned this in other reviews, but this is one of my favorite things about being a librarian and being in charge of the fairy tale/folktale collection - I encounter so many beautiful stories that are brand new to me. This one is no exception. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Probably not one I could easily read in Storytime, but certainly one I can include in booklists and recommendations related to Storytime. Hence, why I gave it the Storytime tag. :)
Probably not one I could easily read in Storytime, but certainly one I can include in booklists and recommendations related to Storytime. Hence, why I gave it the Storytime tag. :)
September 9, 2021
A sweet short picture book that recounts the legend of the start of Burano lacemaking. It has lovely acrylic paint illustrations, and a short true history at the end. A good introduction to historical fiction perhaps.
September 29, 2015
I may be a bit biased, but I love the illustrations in this beautiful tale of a poor and hungry village who through the perseverance of Gianni and his fiance, receive a gift that saves them all.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews