Oona

Oona is a picture book about a mermaid who collects treasure from shipwrecks in the deep ocean. Along with her friend Otto, she searches for valuable items to add to her collection. During one of her expeditions, Oona spots a pearl that she wants to retrieve. The pearl's location presents challenges that test her determination and ingenuity. The story explores themes of persistence, creative problem-solving, and learning to see situations from new perspectives. Through Oona's underwater adventure, young readers encounter messages about the value of friendship and staying true to one's goals.

Readers consistently highlight the imaginative artwork and mermaid representation in their reviews. Parents appreciate that Oona is curious, resourceful, and determined rather than focused on appearance. Teachers note its effectiveness for lessons about problem-solving and perseverance. Readers liked: - Diverse representation in the illustrations - Focus on exploration rather than traditional mermaid tropes - Messages about trying again after failure - Appeal to both mermaid-lovers and ocean science fans Readers disliked: - Some found the story too simple or brief - A few mentioned wanting more character development Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (1,300+ ratings) Common reader comments: "Perfect for kids who love the ocean but are tired of princess mermaids" "Beautiful illustrations but wish the story was longer" "My daughter asks for this one every night - she loves finding treasures with Oona"

Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham A Black family connects through cooking traditions as a young boy learns recipes from his grandmother.

Grandpa's Stories by Joseph Coelho A granddaughter preserves memories of her grandfather through their shared stories and activities across seasons.

The Ocean Calls by Tina Cho A South Korean girl learns the ways of the haenyeo divers from her grandmother who teaches her ocean wisdom.

Drawn Together by Minh Lê Art bridges the language gap between a boy and his Thai grandfather during their time together.

A Gift from Abuela by Cecilia Ruiz Economic hardships test but cannot break the bond between a Mexican grandmother and her granddaughter who share traditions of making paper flowers.

🌊 Author Kelly DiPucchio originally conceived Oona as a human character before transforming her into a mermaid during the creative process. 🐚 The book's illustrations by Raissa Figueroa feature a unique color palette inspired by bioluminescent sea creatures and coral reefs. 🧜🏾‍♀️ Oona is one of relatively few picture books featuring a dark-skinned mermaid as the main character, helping to expand representation in children's literature. 🗺️ The story's themes of persistence and creative problem-solving were inspired by DiPucchio's own experiences as a writer facing multiple rejections before achieving success. 🌟 "Oona" sparked a successful series, with its sequel "Oona and the Shark" releasing in 2022 and continuing the underwater adventures.