I read the description and saw the cover, and hoped the cover was just the mermaid resisting bedtime - but it turns out it actually is a rather scary book. My 4 year old didn't want to continue after the first few pages and I don't blame her.. it is rather frightening. Perhaps more enjoyable for older kids!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review. I think the book overall is very cute and funny. Apart from the scary faces of the mermaid the illustrations are adorable. I’m not sure I would read this to a 3 year old, as stated in the age category. I would probably change the age range to 5+.

I read this book to my daughter since she herself is a little heathen. She giggled along and absolutely loved the mermaid.

A cute bedtime story withthr basic needs of bedtime and a slight bit of sass by someone who doesn't want to go to bed.

It'll be a regular read in our household!

I was hopeful when I read this was about a mermaid and bedtime. This was a bit of a disappointment though. Some of the mermaid facial expressions were a bit scary. She doesn’t look friendly underneath her reluctance to behave. Overall, the story doesn’t offer anything new or humorous or a gentle relaxing read before bed. This is likely a second or third tier purchase for libraries.

I was hoping that the cover was just the mermaid not wanting to go to sleep, but unfortunately she has the evil face and bad attitude throughout the book, I wish the story in the book was the actual book. This book is for parents that are okay with reading their kids a book with a creepy face. Probably wouldn’t read this before bed.

Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

"Come snuggle, little baby sharkie. Your scary mermaid will protect you."

A cute bedroom story for those little girls who aren't quite ready to settle at the end of the day.

“ ‘A filtered room will create a restful atmosphere.’ The only atmosphere I know is the atmosphere of FEAR that follows me WHEREVER I GO.”
The Good Little Mermaid’s Guide To Bedtime is my new favorite children’s book. You’ve seen all the mermaid stories where princesses sing to the fish and pine after men, right? Of course you have. But what if there was a different type of mermaid? A chaotic predator of the darkness, queen of the deep. Well look no further, because this book is the story of a predator mermaid.
Our little main character is reading a book to herself before going to bed - a silly book for good mermaids. She is NOT a good mermaid. She is a chaotic creature of the deep and I love her. I love the art style and the crazy goofiness of this character. We need more characters like this in children’s literature.
Girls are not all soft and fluffy calm princesses. Some of them are predators of the deep.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me an advanced copy of this book!! It was hilarious and enchanting.

This picture book is about a mermaid who is reading a book about bedtime and scoffing at the docile, polite activities the character is involved in. She isn't a pretty, sweet mermaid like that! She is the terror of the seas! This will make plenty of kids and parents laugh, but the illustrations end up being too scary-looking for the majority of the book. The sharp teeth, diabolical angry scowls, and predatory interactions with other sea creatures will be too much for many little kids, and I would mainly just recommend this for elementary-aged kids who like sassy, scary characters.

Rating: ***** (5/5)

This ferocious little mermaid does not want to go to bed! Inside these pages there's a story of a good little mermaid who sets herself up for success by tidying up, brushing her teeth, and journaling before she goes to sleep, but there's also a story of a not-so-good little mermaid who is a terror of the deep. Don't worry, even predators need their sleep ;)

Highlights: Illustrations are beyond creative and engaging but may be scary for some younger readers. The layout is consistent and easy to follow as two stories unfold for the reader. Overall a fun and silly book with colorful vocabulary that isn't overwhelming.

Lowlights: A younger reader may not understand there's two stories - one of a good little mermaid preparing for bed and another of a scary mermaid reacting to the former as it's read to her.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review. All opinions are my own.

🐚Hands down, this is one of the best bedtime story books I've had the pleasure to read.

🐚Two books are within the pages, one is the bedtime story book featuring a good little mermaid and all that she has to do to prepare for bedtime. And then there is our precocious little mermaid; she isn't a good little mermaid, she is A PREDATOR! Be prepared for the mermaid that has determined she won't be pigeonholed into a modern day's version of a simpering lady of the sea. She is fierce and proud of it. But she does get tired just like the children you will want to read this book to at bedtime.

🐚Each page follows the two books along with some fun, ocean-inspired colored artwork. I cannot wait for the 7 and under grandkids to be here in the next two months for me to read this aloud at bedtime.

🐚Not available until March of 2024, I will be pre-ordering this one. Mark your calendars and TBR lists.

Thank you to the tagged publisher for an early e-copy via Netgalley.

The illustrations in this picture book were very sweet and I thought the concept was well executed, but I am unsure who the target demographic for this book is. Most kids that I know that like mermaids enjoy their traditional depictions, and would also enjoy stories about princes and princesses, unicorns, and "good" creatures. The kids I know who enjoy stories about predators gravitate more towards sharks, dinosaurs, and pirates. I understand the desire to show that you don't have to be docile and "good," but I think fans of mermaids will not enjoy the depiction of a mermaid with sharp teeth who enjoys luring humans, and fans of predators will not enjoy the traditional mermaid lore and imagery.

This made me laugh out loud at multiple points.
A young mermaid is reading this "Guide to Bedtime" and critiquing it as she goes along. Saying she is vicious and made of nightmares, not this "Good Little Mermaid" the book is talking about. You see how she sees herself, a siren, and how she really is, a sweet mermaid.
This could be scary for some kids, but it is very cute and made me laugh.

I do like the concept of this story, but I read it to my kids and the younger two found it scary and didn’t really like it. I think perhaps it may be too scary for younger kids (under 5).

Overall, I would write this book as a 7/10. The illustrations are really what drew me to this book because there’s a boy mom mermaids really aren’t my go to thing. However, the illustrations on this book were amazing! Each page was full of color and had a lot going on but in a good way. A way that would would hold a child’s attention. With that being said, I did not read the description before, jumping straight into the book, so at the end I didn’t really know what the point was. After reading the description, it became clear that it was a story to assist a parent with a child who struggling and resisting sleep. I will say I was not fond of the “good mermaid” versus “bad mermaid” feel of the story. In the way that I feel like the story was saying if you don’t do these things, then you’re not a good mermaid but I could be wrong that’s just what I got from it.

This was a really cute book I read it to my 6 year old daughter and she loved it too highly recommend 10/10

What a fun twist on a typical bedtime tale. This little mermaid is no princess and she is not afraid to let the reader know about her "fierce" nature. I appreciated the fun, action filled imagery depicted in the illustrations. This humorous story is sure to be a repeated bedtime read for many children.

I would love to use this in my children’s theatre class!! I liked this book because it was the normal children’s book. This mermaid is different and she wants you to know it! Older kids (4-6) would absolutely love this book. I can’t wait to read it to my daughter!

I received a digital copy of "The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" in exchange for a honest and thoughtful review.

"The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" is a delightful story about a mermaid that is just too fearsome and
terrifying to require sleep. The story is engagingly funny, with relatable scenarios that any parent of a spirited child struggling to embrace bedtime will appreciate.

The illustrations in "The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" are a standout feature, enriching the story's humor and engaging young readers. My daughter was especially taken with the amusing depictions of the sharks. These vibrant visuals not only add to the overall charm of the book but also enhance its whimsical, relatable narrative.

However, as wonderfully thought out as this book is, there is a complex narrative device that may not be as effective for the youngest readers. The story cleverly reflects upon itself with a "book within a book" setup. But this meta storytelling is represented through an illustration so small and tucked away in a corner that it may be overlooked by young readers, making the frame story slightly less clear. Still, this does not detract significantly from the book's value as a fun and practical bedtime aid.

The Good Little Mermaid's Guide to Bedtime" could potentially help parents to alleviate the stress often associated with children's bedtime. It is a memorable addition to any child's library, filled with laughter, relatable struggles, and of course, delightful mermaids and sharks.

This book was absolutely delightful! A hilarious read for kids who don't want to sleep and think they're absolutely the most awe-inspiring, terrifying thing out there. The prose was great, the art was beautiful, and the pictures did well to reinforce the words. Having the text be a dialogue between the fictional guide and our actual mermaid and I thought that was very clever! I'll definitely be recommending that my library get a copy.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This was such a delightful book. My toddler, who loves mermaids, got a kick out of it.

I love a kids book that flips how little girls are expected to behave on its head. So often, little girls are given that guide to being a good little girl. And so often, they need to let their little monsters out.

The illustrations are masterful. They made me, a grown woman, giggle.

I truly enjoyed this story and will absolutely add this to our bedtime routine.