Disney gives the The Little Mermaid, a prequel treatment with The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Beginning. Following the death of Ariel’s (Jodi Benson) mother Queen Athena, King Triton (Jim Cummings) outlaws music because of the painful memories it evokes. (Side note: what is it about Disney movies and dead parents?) Only Ariel has the courage to confront the king and restore music to the underwater kingdom.

We see all the familiar characters from the first movie including Flounder (Parker Goris) and Sebastian (Samuel Wright). Sally Field plays the unfeeling governess Marina Del Ray. Of course, there’s (banned) music, too, though not as catchy as the tunes from the original movie.

Still, five-year-old daughter, Lucie, loved it and my eight-year-old son, Nathan, hated it, which leads me to believe that The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Beginning is a girly-girl movie. And that’s O.K. since it’s girls who are ultimately drawn to mermaid tales.

Usborne’s wonderful world of mermaid books

• Stories of Mermaids –  For ages seven and up, dive into the undersea world of mermaids and join in their amazing adventures. Harmony braves the spooky Pirates’ Graveyard, Marina takes on her rivals in the Great Seahorse Race, and dance-crazy Coral makes a bargain with King Neptune.
• The Little Mermaid – This classic tale is beautifully retold, with lyrical text and enchanting illustrations by Alan Marks. For ages seven and up. They also carry a Little Mermaid picture book for younger children ages three and up.
• Mermaids is a luxury touchy-feely board book by Fiona Watt. This book is for ages nine months and up.
• That’s Not My Mermaid, a touchy-feely board book, is a favorite of my daughter’s even though she’s outgrown it. Like Mermaids, she doesn’t want to give these board books up because they’re so gorgeous.

Usborne also has mermaid activity books

• How to Draw Fairies and Mermaids for ages four and up. This craft book uses simple methods, easy-to-follow directions, and a wide variety of projects for cards, wrapping paper, decorations and presents, and more. It also comes with stickers. I love giving these type of Usborne activity books as birthday presents.
• Mermaid Things to Make & Do Kid Kit for ages six and up. This activity set gives simple steps to create lots of magical mermaid accessories like an octopus mobile and mermaids with sparkly tails. The Kid Kit includes Mermaid Things To Make & Do book (which you can buy separately), a multi-color tissue paper pack, scissors, all purpose white glue, glitter, silver glitter glue pen, sequins, white crayon for wax relief art project, paint, paint brushes, chenille stems, lots of white heavy art paper and construction paper, ribbon, and more. Usborne’s make and do kits are perfect to take on vacation or save in a closet for a rainy day project. They’re also something to give to your babysitter so she can make a craft with your child while you’re out. They make great presents, too.
• Mermaids Jigsaw Book for ages five and up contains five sparkling mermaid jigsaw puzzles for your mermaid fan.

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