The Best Friend Promise by Rebecca Timmis
The best friend promise is the first book in the new series Mertales, written by Rebecca Timmis. Filled with fantasy and adventure, this story will leave the reader enchanted and delighted with sea-sational mer-fun and more!
Pearl Periwinkle wakes, excited that it is her ninth birthday today. While caught up in the anticipation of her big birthday party tonight, she realises she is now running late for school. Deciding to take a potentially dangerous shortcut through the reef, she encounters a reef shark. Suddenly she remembers why she is not supposed to take short cuts! Quickly she escapes that potential danger, only to suddenly spy a bright green star zooming into the ocean nearby. What could it be? On diving back into the water, she experiences something magical. Her tail glows and tingles, but she is unsure what this all means. So quickly she sets off to meet up with her friends for school and tell them all about it.
The journey throughout the novel keeps the reader wondering what will happen next. As Pearl works through friendship dilemmas, discovers the ability to talk to animals, fights off potential predators and waits for the much-anticipated birthday party, the reader feels like they are riding the sea-ventures with her. This is an easy read for those children who are emerging into short novels. Anyone who enjoys a little fantasy, mermaids, glitter and sea creatures is sure to thoroughly enjoy this young novel.
Rebecca Timmis, as author and illustrator, creates a story that is engaging and moves quickly for one adventure to the next. Just when you think the story has reached its crescendo, another plot twist evolves. Nicely interwoven with monochrome pictures to support the story and added with a splash of vibrant pink, she expertly manages to capture and enhance the storyline. Children will be enchanted and enthralled with the twists and twirls, glitter and glam of the fantasy, undersea world. Filled with mermaids, real and mythical creatures and exciting escapades, this story is sure to keep the reader entertained!
Themes: Sea creatures, Friendship, Problem Solving.
Michelle O'Connell