A charming mermaid story by master story-teller Michael Morpurgo, perfect for children learning to read.

Robbie says swimming is easy. You just have to pretend you’re a mermaid. But that doesn’t help Mairi. She isn’t even sure that mermaids are real.

The Reading Ladder series helps children to enjoy learning to read. It features well-loved authors, classic characters and favourite topics, so that children will find something to excite and engage them in every title they pick up. It’s the first step towards a lasting love of reading.

Level 2 Reading Ladder titles are perfect for readers who are growing in confidence and are beginning to enjoy longer stories.

Clear type

Up to 8 lines per page

Bright, appealing pictures for added interest

A variety of sentence structures

A wider range of vocabulary

Strong themes and characters to discuss

All Reading Ladder titles are developed with a leading literacy consultant, making them perfect for use in schools and for parents keen to support their children’s reading.

Book band: Turquoise

Michael Morpurgo is one of the most successful children's authors in the country, loved by children, teachers and parents alike. He has written more than forty books for children, including the global hit War Horse, which was made into a Hollywood film by Steven Spielberg in 2011.

He has won the Whitbread Award, the Smarties Award, the Circle of Gold Award, the Children's Book Award and has been short-listed for the Carnegie Medal four times.He received an OBE in December 2006 for his services to literature.