Kiss of the Mermaid (Mercer Mayer's Critters of the Night / Step into Reading, Step 3)
Critters of the Night Series
What’s inside...
The wicked sea witch has turned the family of Mara the mermaid into giant chess pieces and hidden them in a deep-sea cave. Thistle Howl wants to help Mara to save her family, so Mara turns Thistle into a mermaid and they swim to the rescue. However, the sea witch needs two more chess pieces just the size of Thistle and Mara. Will the heroic mermaids sink or swim? The story is illustrated in full color.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-9
Length
47 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the mermaid wishes for the most and why?
How would you feel if you met a mermaid like in the story?
What adventures would you go on if you were a character in the book?
How did the characters' decisions affect the story’s outcome?
What lessons can we learn from the mermaid's experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own magical underwater world, building on the imagery from the book.
Ask your child to relate the feelings of the characters to their own emotions to deepen their empathy and understanding.
While discussing the book, use expressive facial expressions and tone variations to make the conversational experience more dynamic and engaging.
After reading, consider co-creating a drawing or storyboard with your child that depicts their favorite scene or a new adventure for the characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The story illustrates the repercussions of decisions made by characters, specifically highlighting the importance of thinking before acting.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think critically about the outcomes of their actions and make thoughtful decisions in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: Characters in the book demonstrate acts of kindness, which lead to positive results, teaching the importance of being kind and helpful.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice kindness in real life by helping friends, sharing with siblings, and being polite to others, which fosters a positive social environment.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The protagonist faces challenges that require creative solutions, emphasizing the value of solving problems thoughtfully.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving techniques in academic settings or in resolving conflicts with peers, enhancing their critical thinking abilities.
Example Lesson: Value of courage
Explanation: The characters show bravery in daunting situations, stressing the importance of facing fears and standing up for what is right.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to be courageous, whether it's trying new activities, standing up to bullies, or expressing their feelings openly.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: Through teamwork and support between friends in the book, the value of true friendship is highlighted.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and nurture friendships by being supportive and trustworthy friends in their own lives.