There Goes a Mermaid
Lisa Suhay
There Goes a Mermaid
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Norfolktale
by Lisa Suhay
Illustrated by Sam Hundley
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
What if mermaids weren't just in stories, but really lived in the waters near Norfolk? Imagine spotting them during a sparkling parade, their tails shimmering in the sunlight. But what secrets do these magical creatures hold beneath the waves?
Themes
Quick Assessment
There Goes a Mermaid blends folklore with real-world photographs to tell the story of the Norfolk Mermaids, engaging young readers with a mix of fact and fantasy. Suitable for early readers aged 5-8, this book encourages imagination while introducing elements of local culture and tradition. The content is gentle and appropriate for its target audience, with no notable concerns.
Why we rated There Goes a Mermaid 7C
There Goes a Mermaid is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, There Goes a Mermaid works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate There Goes a Mermaid as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, There Goes a Mermaid explores fairy tales & folklore, legends, myths, & fables, multicultural, and adventure — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fairy tales & folklore, legends, myths, & fables, multicultural.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781933982052
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Bumble Bee Pub
- Published
- October 1, 2004
- Type
- Fiction