The following review was contributed by: LILY AZERAD GOLDMAN CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR LIVING IN MONTREAL CANADA

There Goes a Mermaid! A NorFolkTale authored by Lisa Suhay and illustrated by Sam Hundley is really a whimsical guidebook for children visiting the mermaid sculptures of Norfolk, Virginia.

Kevin Gallup, who created the basic sculpture form for all the Norfolk mermaids, as well as the artists who created the designs on the Mermaids, are listed on the back cover of the book.

Sam Hundley cleverly put them all together in order to design an imaginary world of mermaids. He matches the gentle text of Lisa Suhay with pictures that echo delight in the details of the mermaids as seen by children. Each individual sculpture is an apartment where imaginary mermaids live and work.

Lisa Suhay has written two texts for this sweet book. The text on top of the pictures is for adults and the bottom for children. The top text is informative and clear while the bottom text directed to children is a bit wavy. I particularly liked “Rowena who serves afternoon tea” and “Kira who has art you must see!” The mermaid spotter’s guide is very imaginative.

Are there real mermaids in Norfolk? Well, you have to believe there are, just look carefully! Lisa Suhay keeps the legends alive and encourages children to dream about the magical mermaids! What is very commendable is that proceeds from the book are divided between the Norfolk Literary Partnership and The Virginian Pilot Joy Fund.

There Goes a Mermaid! A Norfolktale will be appreciated by parents as well as by preschoolers.