The Penguin Book of Mermaids ed. by Cristina Bacchilega and Marie Alohalani Brown (review)

Abstract

Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies, Vol. 36, No. 1, 2022 114 essentially “little balls of fat” (Frontier Scientists, 2016). This creates an understanding for the story “The Wife and the Sandpiper,” and the idea that perhaps the arctic sandpiper is not a good bird for soup because of the fat. There are two stories that create lists: “The Sandpiper” and “Bridie-Birdie’s Bow and Arrow.” The former explains the parts of the sandpiper, while the latter shows the connections among the elements of fire, wind, sun, clouds, and rain. Other stories include “Ptichek and His Sister,” which uses a trickster hero to help with survival during a dangerous encounter. In these tales the animals and experiences important to the peoples of Siberia are similar to other tales in the warnings, foibles, and desires, but they also create wonder and curiosity. Does the sandpiper provide shelter for the people or does the story describing his body meet another cultural element? Certainly, hunters are often in dangerous areas, and the story of “Paki the Bear” reveals the hope of those hunters for especially friendly helpers in the woods, while Ptichek and Chi-Chi show the need for clever self-reliance, and “the Cuckoo” warns children to be good to their mothers. In addition to the unique stories, the book is accompanied with illustrations by the well-known Khanty artist, Gennady Raishev. The son of a Khanty hunter, Raishev creates art steeped in the art and stories of his people. each story has a watercolor drawing with stylized decorations. The tall, long-beaked sandpiper, the warmth of the hearth, and the importance of the hunter in the culture are emphasized through the illustrations. Aipin’s little book is an opportunity to pass on the stories of his grandparents and preserve an oral history that few people still know. It is an excellent introduction to Siberian folktales. It will help folk-story lovers add another layer to their understanding of the world of story and will give any reader the opportunity to gain more knowledge of the world. Some may mistake it for a children’s book because it is so small, but a serious folklorist will recognize the complexity of the stories. Children will love it, but if they start asking questions, adults may find it difficult to respond. Judith Gero John Missouri State University