SUKEY AND THE MERMAID:
An African American Folktale
by Robert D. San Souci
Illustrated by Brian Pinkney
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1992
[AGES 6-10] hardcover/paperback
ISBN: 0-02-778141-0
Paperback ISBN-10: 068980718X
PaperbackISBN-13: 978-0689807183
Storyteller
say,
This happened oncet upon a time,
on a little island off the coast
of South Carolina.
A girl named Sukey lived with her ma and new step-pa. Sukey called her step-pa "Mister Hard-Times." Every day, while he watched, she hoed the weeks in the garden and everyday, she sang:
Mister Hard-Times,
Since you come
My ma don't like me
My work never done.
But one morning, when her step-pa wasn't looking, Sukey ran away to her secret hiding place by the sea and unwittingly called up Mama Jo, a beautiful black mermaid. The adventures that followed changed her life forever.
In this dream-woven story, artfully retold by Robert D. San Souci from an American folktale, a poor girl finds her wishes answered not by treasure, or the sea's magic, but by goodness and love.
1992 Coretta Scott King Honor Book
International Reading Association Teacher's Choice for 1993
Parenting Magazine 1992 “Reading Magic” Award
1992 ALA Notable Book for Children
School Library Journal “Best Books of 1992
South Carolina Children's Book Award for 1994-95
Shawnee Readers' Award from The Missouri Association of School Librarians for 1995
* [Starred Review] "Grade 1-4-- From West Africa via the Caribbean to the Sea Islands off South Carolina's coast come the story fragments melded in this unusual, haunting tale. San Souci's eloquent prose, matched by Pinkney's handsome illustrations executed in scratchboard and oil pastel, tells the tale of a black girl's special relationship with a benevolent mermaid. As the arresting cover illustration suggests, Mama Jo is no ordinary water spirit. This fabulous creature, with opulent jewelry and golden combs in her sea-green hair, offers Sukey more than a gold coin at day's end. The time spent in the sea with the mermaid provides respite from the hardships of life with her mother and shiftless stepfather. Although the Cinderella theme is most apparent, there are references to many others. What provides this book with depth and richness, however, is the smooth transition from the mermaid's magical kingdom to the harsh reality of the girl's life on land. Sukey is a likable heroine, determined, clever, and compassionate. This is a realistic coming-of-age story, combined with fantasy. With current interest in and the demand for multicultural materials, this tale is a welcome addition to any folklore collection." -- School Library Journal
"Weary of the unreasonable demands of Mister Jones, her new stepfather, Sukey escapes to the water's edge, where she meets ``a beautiful, brown-skinned, black-eyed mermaid''--Mama Jo--who befriends and comforts her and each day gives her a gold coin. Mister Jones drinks up most of the money; eventually, he tries to capture the mermaid, who escapes and takes Sukey to her undersea kingdom. Homesick, Sukey bargains for a chance to go home and is also given a dowry and the promise of a fine husband, to be named Dembo. Wicked Mister Jones steals the dowry and kills Dembo; but Mama Jo appears one last time to bring him back to life. A careful note explains that this eventful, richly complex story was based on a folktale from the Sea Islands of South Carolina, as well as on Caribbean and West African sources. Pinkney's delicately tinted scratchboard illustrations are his best yet; the many fine lines swirl through the dramatic black ground, catching the sea's luminous glow and softening the sturdy figures with diaphanous garments. An unusually handsome presentation of an appealing tale. (Folklore/Picture book. 5-10)." -- Kirkus Reviews
Robert D. San Souci is the author of THE TALKING EGGS, a Caldecott Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, THE BOY AND THE GHOST, a Parents' Choice Honor Book, and THE ENCHANTED TAPESTRY, among other popular titles.
Brian Pinkney's illustration credits includeTHE BOY AND THE GHOST by Robert D. San Souci, THE BALLAD OF BELLE DORCAS by William Hooks, and WHERE DOES THE TRAIL LEAD? by Burton Albert. He received his MFA from the School of Visual Arts, and lives with his wife in Brooklyn, New York.
