Mermaid of the Ningaloo Reef by Chantelle Ciccotosto

At the end of Covid, Mia found a new swimsuit, snorkel and flippers on the end of her bed with a note from her parents telling her that they were going to see the biggest fish in the world. The family drove until they reached Exmouth and they boarded a boat to take them to the reef, where Mermaid Mia ready to swim. Magically Mia becomes a mermaid and the illustrations show her swimming with the array of animals and corals under the sea.

Children will love the idea of becoming a Mermaid and swimming with the small reef fish and the larger ones as well, including the magnificent whale shark. Interesting illustrations will attract the attention of all readers as they seek out all the detail shown on each page. At the end of the story are a number of pages of information, giving facts about some of the things Mia can see.

Ningaloo Reef is under stress as a result of climate change and the rise in ocean temperatures, with a corresponding impact on the animals that live there. The Australian Marine Conservation Society has worked for sixty years increasing people’s awareness of the problems faced by Ningaloo Reef. The pages of information will necessitate children working with older children or adults as the six pages of facts are followed by two pages of questions. This is a book which seems to be aimed at older readers or children visiting Ningaloo Reef. It gives lots of factual information and these are supported by detailed illustrations.

Themes: Ningaloo Reef, Sea, Conservation, Climate change, Tourism.

Fran Knight