View source for Fairytale Frankie and the Mermaid Escapade by Greg Gormley and Steven Lenton

{{infobox2
|title=Fairytale Frankie and the Mermaid Escapade
|author=Greg Gormley and Steven Lenton
|reviewer=Sam Tyler
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Grab your sunscreen and get to the beach as Frankie and her friends are having a fun time in this vibrant children's book that teaches us to be brave.
|rating=4
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Orchard Books
|date=January 2017
|isbn=9781408333877
|aznuk=1408333880
|aznus=1408333880
|cover=1408333880
}}

If you think about it enough it is amazing how many characters in fairytales are thick.  How long would it take you to figure out that was not your Nan, but a wolf?  Or, how many people would decide to start eating a house that appears to be made out of gingerbread, but is overseen by what looks like a crazy lady?  Nope, the only reason that fairytale characters make it half the time is because a sensible and brave character saves the day; an intelligent brick laying pig, or a feisty woodsman.  Your average story dweller needs a guardian angel and this may just come in the form of Fairytale Frankie.

Frankie likes fairytales, but she also likes the beach, therefore why not combine the two by having a sand-based adventure with magical friends?  However, rather than being a day of sun, sea and sangria, the fairytale folk are all scared of an alleged monster lurking in the depths.  Can Frankie persuade them all to calm down and enjoy themselves?

I am a fan of a children's book that takes the fairytale format and adds a postmodern twist.  In seems that most modern books starring folk characters are not actually the original story, but something that plays off it.  This is true again in the ''Fairytale Frankie'' series, in which a normal girl has to help out extraordinary characters.  Seeing the likes of a mermaid on the beach is possibly normal, but there is great fun to be had when you find a lifeguard wizard, or a surfing prince.  Placing characters from yore in a modern setting is instantly entertaining for adult and child.

''Fairytale Frankie and the Mermaid Escapade'' is a sweet entry into the series and tells a simple story about being courageous.  It is easy for a 4-6 year old to step into Frankie's shoes and feel like they are helping the fairytale characters be brave.  Gormley's writing is smooth storytelling and is perfectly balanced to also challenge an early emerging reader, but is still for sharing.  There is enough text here to push a child's reading standards on, without making the tale too long.

Lenton's illustrations are also very pleasant, the use of big and bold colours really makes the book stand out.  I also like the continued use of the background pier so the entire book feels like it is set in the same place.  Perhaps the story of ''Mermaid Escapade'' is a little too basic to make it a must have, but for an adventurous child who loves the beach, there is a thoroughly entertaining tale to be found here. 

If a modern take on fairytales does not float your boat, why not try a more traditional selection:  [[The Orchard Book of Bedtime Fairy Tales by Helen Craig]].

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[[Category:Greg Gormley]]
[[Category:Steven Lenton]]