StoryBeam KidsListening roomPodcast transcripts
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How to Spot a Mermaid
The book by Jane Yolen
- Ages 3-8
- 7 minutes
- Read aloud
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Saturday Splash - How to Spot a Mermaid
Saturday Splash with How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen, a field guide to sitting very still by the water, and the gift Allison would leave on the sand for a mermaid.
What the cast said
Welcome back to StoryBeam, the daily podcast where imagination shines bright.
I'm Kat.
I'm Allison.
Get ready, it's Saturday Splash!
It is time for our Saturday Splash, where we jump right into a magical weekend adventure.
Today, our StoryBeam is diving deep underwater as we read How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen.
You have to look very closely at the waves, seashells, and shiny sand.
That's right.
Spotting a mermaid takes a careful eye, a little bit of patience, and a whole lot of imagination.
Let's grab our sand buckets and head to the beach to see what secrets the ocean holds.
Let's get our ears on.
I've got mine.
Ready?
Ready?
Three, two, one!
Let's read!
Here the cast reads How to Spot a Mermaid by Jane Yolen. The book's own words stay with its author and publisher, so that part of the recording is not written out. Press play to hear it.
I love how this book makes every trip to the beach feel like a treasure hunt.
You never know what magic is hiding right below the surface.
Co-host, if you spotted a mermaid swimming near the shore, what gift would you leave on the sand for her?
Hmm, a potion.
Because she would open the potion and pour it on herself and she would get super magical.
That sounds very awesome.
And when she swims around, glitter will fall.
I think that's the perfect present for a mermaid friend.
What do you think?
Yeah, and the water would turn.
Splashy, splashy.
It would turn very splashy.
But down there, it would be calm with sparkles.
Oh, beautiful.
Grown-ups, if today's ocean magic inspired your little explorers, our StoryBeam suggestion for your weekend library trip is Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love.
It is a breathtakingly beautiful heartwarming story about self-expression, love, and creativity.
Check our show notes for the title.
Send us your favorite book requests in the comments or send us an email.
Keep your eyes open for magic today.
Splash around and enjoy your weekend.
Have a fantastic Saturday, families.
And we will see you tomorrow for our cozy Sunday Sparkle.
And don't forget...
Keep on reading!
A little conversation goes a long way
After the story
Kat frames it as a treasure hunt: every trip to the water becomes a careful look. Take the questions to a beach, lake, or puddle.
If you spotted a mermaid swimming near the shore, what gift would you leave on the sand for her?
The book says friendship starts with a glance and grows. Who did you meet slowly?
Sit very still for a whole minute by some water. What do you see and hear?