Seraphina the mermaid is in trouble. Her enchanted comb has been stolen and without it she will die. It is up to Maddie and her friends to grant Seraphina's wish and return her comb.
Ms. Barton is a teacher, book artist, and curator who runs Popular Kinetics Press and has published numerous artist book editions since her first book, Beyond the Page, was printed in 1981. Her work is exhibited internationally and is in numerous collections, including The Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, Museum of Modern Art, The Getty Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
(librarian note: it is unlikely that the paper artist is the same author as the children's "World of Wishes" books, but I can't find any details to back that up)
The writing seemed rushed in this story. A lot of things happened in it, and it felt like an abridged version, almost as if it was written from a point-form list of Things That Must Happen Within 200 Pages. It had potential to be a great story. It almost felt like it was a story that originally was going to be for young adults, but was edited at the last minute to suit a younger audience, so it's uncomfortable and when it starts to get going, you're suddenly hit with childish imagery leaving you going, "What?? That's it?" My daughter really enjoyed it. She's six. I'll probably have to read the rest of the series with her. I won't be recommending it, though.