Mermaid, Schmermaid
“This isn't the place for a mermaid so frail,
Off with you now and your little fish tail.”
A mermaid hops, skips, and jumps to the royal parade. The queen's dragon and knight aren't impressed. The dragon is fierce and the knight is a hero, while the mermaid is simply one-half fish. When the queen gets in trouble, they soon discover how each one is special.
A delightful picture book fairy tale celebrating the things that make us unique. With a colourful cast and clever rhymes, Mermaid, Schmermaid is a joy to read aloud.
Meet the characters
The Mermaid
Courteous and determined. She's quite helpful too.
The Dragon
The fiercest of them all. But certainly not the humblest.
The Knight
Likes to think he's the noblest. If he only knew what being noble truly means.
The Queen
Loves fine things. Needs to discover what matters most.
Meet the creators
Terence Araneta has been dreaming up stories since he was seven. He lives in Auckland with his wife and two children. He tries his best to get writing done, but his kids always seem to find ways to pop into his office and type on the keybofdjadshfjhdsfkhehfnvk.
Cassandra Paillé
Terence Araneta
Author
Illustrator
Cassandra Paillé is a French illustrator based in New Zealand. She loves to capture emotions and the beauty of everyday life, while adding a touch of humour and tenderness. She finds joy in creating worlds full of colour, warmth and a playful spirit, making them feel alive and welcoming.
Édouard Manet once said, “Whoever claimed drawing is just about shaping form? The truth is, art should be the writing of life” — a belief that perfectly mirrors her own way of seeing illustration.