Book Descriptions
for Mermaids and Mix-Ups by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Sisters Stella (age 7) and Marigold (age 4) are often skeptical of the gifts sent by their cousin Judy; while they “always looked exciting from the outside,” the contents tended to be disappointing. Their new guided notebooks (Me and My Besties! Our Secrets, Our Faves, Our Fun!) are no different, and the girls (both white) are disheartened to realize that their number of “besties” is fewer than they’d like. Mishaps in the following chapters—swiping a scary mermaid tchotchke from the upstairs neighbors’ apartment, cutting out a hundred fake band-aids, plotting to run away—are part of the girls’ efforts to pad their lists of friends. Delightfully child-centered, this volume in the “Stella and Marigold” series revolves around more of their imaginative antics and heartwarmingly intimate and supportive sibling bond. The ample, colorful illustrations are warm, humorous, and expressive.
CCBC Choices 2026. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2026. Used with permission.
From the Publisher
From the creators of the New York Times–bestselling Ivy + Bean comes the second book in a fun and funny new series about two small sisters with very big imaginations.
This charming and critically acclaimed early chapter book series follows the everyday adventures of siblings Stella and Marigold. In this second book, Stella and Marigold receive a purple present—a book for them to list all their friends. That’s when they discover they need to make more friends!
But how? With magical recipes to make snow fall? With lots of nice Band-Aids? How about a mermaid candleholder? The two sisters are full of ideas and plans. Maybe they turn out, or maybe they don’t, but one thing is for sure: By the end of this book, readers will be the best of friends with Stella and Marigold.
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED: Book 1 in the series, a USA Today and National Indie bestseller, shined with critics, receiving four starred reviews!
BELOVED CHILDREN’S BOOK CREATORS: Annie Barrows is the author of The Magic Half and bestselling The Best of Iggy series. Sophie Blackall is the award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner Hello Lighthouse. Together, they are the dynamic duo behind the Ivy + Bean series.
GREAT FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of adventure, a dynamic relationship that captures an enormous range of emotions, and colorful pictures, this series is perfect for emerging readers. Humor is also one of the best enticements to get and keep kids reading. This unlikely duo will have readers LOL-ing!
STRONG RELATIONSHIP: The warm, loving relationship between Stella and Marigold is at the heart of this book. Parents looking for a positive depiction of the ups and downs of sisterhood will love this series, but it will also resonate with fans of more general friendship duos. The series has the same familiar settings and family relationships as Ivy + Bean, with just a sprinkle of magic.
WONDERFUL GIFT: Sophie Blackall is uniquely able to create illustrations that are both gorgeous and hilarious, making this book series a gift joyfully given and very happily received.
Perfect for:
This charming and critically acclaimed early chapter book series follows the everyday adventures of siblings Stella and Marigold. In this second book, Stella and Marigold receive a purple present—a book for them to list all their friends. That’s when they discover they need to make more friends!
But how? With magical recipes to make snow fall? With lots of nice Band-Aids? How about a mermaid candleholder? The two sisters are full of ideas and plans. Maybe they turn out, or maybe they don’t, but one thing is for sure: By the end of this book, readers will be the best of friends with Stella and Marigold.
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED: Book 1 in the series, a USA Today and National Indie bestseller, shined with critics, receiving four starred reviews!
BELOVED CHILDREN’S BOOK CREATORS: Annie Barrows is the author of The Magic Half and bestselling The Best of Iggy series. Sophie Blackall is the award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner Hello Lighthouse. Together, they are the dynamic duo behind the Ivy + Bean series.
GREAT FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of adventure, a dynamic relationship that captures an enormous range of emotions, and colorful pictures, this series is perfect for emerging readers. Humor is also one of the best enticements to get and keep kids reading. This unlikely duo will have readers LOL-ing!
STRONG RELATIONSHIP: The warm, loving relationship between Stella and Marigold is at the heart of this book. Parents looking for a positive depiction of the ups and downs of sisterhood will love this series, but it will also resonate with fans of more general friendship duos. The series has the same familiar settings and family relationships as Ivy + Bean, with just a sprinkle of magic.
WONDERFUL GIFT: Sophie Blackall is uniquely able to create illustrations that are both gorgeous and hilarious, making this book series a gift joyfully given and very happily received.
Perfect for:
- Independent readers age 6-9
- Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking entertaining elementary school chapter books
- Gift-givers looking for an early readers series for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart
- Readers who love such bestselling book series as Ivy + Bean, Junie B. Jones, Beezus and Ramona, Dory Fantasmagory, and Princess in Black
Publisher description retrieved from Google Books.
