The Mermaid and the Parakeet is a story inspired by a painting by Henri Matisse (The Parakeet and the Mermaid). A beautiful mermaid is stranded high in a tree by a storm. Without the water, she will not be able to survive. Luckily, the Prince of the Parakeets wishes to help her. But how will a tiny bird be able to carry a mermaid down a tree?Cooper adored this story. She loved the colorful illustrations (by Vanessa Hie) and the happy ending. Cooper also liked that it was a parakeet who saved the day by rescuing the mermaid. At the end of the book there is information about Henri Matisse, the illustrations in the book and creative process that went into making it.

But Two Parakeets and The Mermaid would be even better…