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Black Mermaids in Children’s Literature

A mermaid with long red hair sits on a rock underwater, gazing up at the light filtering through the sea.

Before Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid was published in 1837, mermaids were already swimming their way through African folklore. Here is a list of modern-day children’s literature featuring Black mermaids.

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Rachel
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Cover of "The Little Mermaid: Against the Tide" by J. Elle, featuring a mermaid with flowing hair swimming underwater.

Against the Tide by J. Elle

When her sister Mala is kidnapped but leaves behind a clue, 15-year-old Ariel and her sisters delve into forbidden waters before the Coral Moon in order to rescue Mala and end up uncovering secrets about their family, their kingdom, and what really happened to their mother.

Book cover of "Skin of the Sea" by Natasha Bowen, featuring a mermaid with an afro hairstyle, jewelry, and underwater scenery.

Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Simi, a Mami Wata—a type of mermaid who collects the souls of those who die at sea—goes against an ancient decree by saving the life of a living boy and must now make amends in order to save the fate of all Mami Wata and the world as she knows it.

Cover of "A Song Below Water" by Bethany C. Morrow, featuring two young women with elaborate hairstyles and a sea-themed background.

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow

A metaphorical tale follows the experiences of a Black teen siren and her haunted best friend, who find themselves targeted by violence when they are unable to hide their supernatural identities in an alternate world that discriminates against magic.

Illustration of a girl and an otter under the sea, with the title "Oona" above them, and author and illustrator names below.

Oona by Kelly DiPucchio

Oona and her best friend Otto love to search for treasure but often find messy, tricky, and even shark-related trouble, instead.

Cover of "The Little Mermaid" showing a mermaid with a green tail and a flower crown swimming in the ocean.

The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney

In this reinvention of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, a little mermaid trades her voice for legs and makes a new friend on land, but must return to the sea to save her family.

A girl stands confidently with hands on hips against an ocean background, cover of "Josephine Against the Sea.

Josephine Against the Sea by Shakirah Bourne

When she discovers her father’s new girlfriend, Mariss, is actually a sea creature eager to take her place as his first love, Josephine must convince her friends to help her and use her cricket skills to save her dad from Mariss’ clutches.

Book cover for "The Jumbies" showing kids in a dark forest with glowing eyes in the background.

The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste

In a spine-tingling tale that is rooted in Caribbean folklore, 11-year-old Corinne must call on her courage and an ancient magic to stop an evil spirit and save her island home.

A young girl holding a glowing comb with a mermaid's shadow in the background, under the title "A Comb of Wishes.

A Comb of Wishes by Lisa Stringfellow

When she stumbles upon the ancient comb of the mermaid Ophidia, Kela gets one wish in exchange for the comb and wishes for her mother to be alive—a wish that will exact an even bigger price.

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