Nen and the Lonely Fisherman
on Goodreads (189)
What’s inside...
A modern adaptation of a classic ‘little mermaid’ tale, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman tells the story of a merman’s search for true love, sending a song of hope across the sea while a lonely, caring young fisherman named Ernest hopes to find warmth in his heart. As the two meet, they feel a special connection, much to the dismay of Nen’s father Pelagios who creates a wild sea storm to protect his son and the ocean. Can Nen save Ernest? This wonderful paperback book showcases a story of love in adversity, which serves as a reminder to us all to care for people and planet.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Nen
Fisherman
The Sea King
Discussion points
How do you think Nen felt when he first met Ernest the fisherman? What can we learn from their friendship?
Why do you think it's important that Nen helped Ernest, even though they were very different?
What did you learn about how we should treat others who may seem different from us?
What does the ocean mean to Nen? How does it change throughout the story?
How can we help take care of the oceans and creatures like Nen?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child to put themselves in Nen's shoes, imagining how he felt throughout the story.
Discuss the importance of kindness and helping others, drawing parallels to your child’s own experiences with friends or at school.
Connect the story to real-world actions, such as ways your family can help protect the ocean and marine life.
Highlight the illustrations and ask your child to describe what they see and how it makes them feel, tying it back to the story’s themes.
Use different voices for Nen and Ernest when reading aloud to make the story more engaging and to emphasize their unique personalities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: The story showcases the character Nen expressing concern and care for Ernest, the lonely fisherman. Their relationship demonstrates the importance of understanding and supporting others' feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy by noticing when someone around them—be it a friend or a family member—feels lonely or sad, and offering their company or a listening ear.
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fears
Explanation: Ernest, though initially afraid, musters the courage to approach the sea king for help. The story illustrates the strength in facing one's fears to help someone else.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that being brave isn't about not feeling scared, but about doing the right thing even when they are afraid. This can help them tackle daily challenges, like making new friends or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: Nen and Ernest’s tale highlights the impact of pollution on marine life and the importance of taking care of our environment.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be mindful about their environment, promoting activities such as recycling, cleaning up litter, and conserving water.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, both Nen and Ernest face multiple challenges but persist in their goals. This demonstrates the value of perseverance in achieving positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn from this by continuing to work towards their own goals, whether in academics, sports, or relationships, even when it gets tough.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The friendship between Nen and Ernest grows stronger as they help each other. The book teaches kids how caring friendships can provide support and happiness.
Real-World Application: This lesson can prompt children to build and maintain meaningful friendships, helping them learn how to be a good friend in their daily interactions.