Shona finds her voice

Merfolk are just like the rest of us--some are outgoing and feisty, while others are too shy to let their fins sparkle in the light. Shona Silkfin stars in this installment of The World of Emily Windsnap, an underwater fantasy series about mermaids. Shona has a lovely singing voice, but she's too shy to share it with the world, afraid others will laugh at her. When Shona's best friend, Emily, accidentally overhears Shona crooning, she encourages Shona to join the other merkids in the upcoming talent show. Emily, who's half-mermaid, half-human, confides that she used to worry about being different as she urges Shona to embrace what sets her apart. Though Shona still frets, Emily volunteers to go with her as a guest to support her friend. With this installment, Kessler continues to wade into early chapter book territory, making the books even more accessible to younger readers. The story is relatable and sure to resonate with young readers. Stone's artwork helps bring to life the mythical landscape of Emily's world, with soft, graceful images that take the underwater theme beyond the eye-catching covers of the original books. A sweet, engaging tale whose beautiful illustrations propel young merfolk through adventure and fantasy. (Chapter book. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.