Sukey and the mermaid

Robert D. San Souci was born on October 10, 1946 in San Francisco, California. He attended college at St. Mary's College in Moraga. After holding jobs in book stores and in publishing, he became a full-time author in 1974.

He was best known for his adaptations of folklore for children. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 100 books for young readers including Song of Sedna, Kate Shelley: Bound for Legend, The Talking Eggs, Two Bear Cubs, Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella, Brave Margaret: An Irish Tale, Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow, and Cinderella Skeleton. He wrote 12 books which were illustrated by his younger brother Daniel San Souci including The Legend of Scarface, Sister Tricksters: Rollicking Tales of Clever Females, and As Luck Would Have It: From The Brothers Grimm. He also wrote nonfiction works for children, several novels for adults, and the film story for Disney's Mulan.

The Legend of Scarface won the Notable Children's Trade Book in the Social Studies, National Council for the Social Studies, and was a Horn Book honor list citation. Sukey and the Mermaid won the American Library Association's Notable Book citation in 1992 and Cut from the Same Cloth won an Aesop Award from the Children's Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society. He died on December 19, 2014 at the age of 68.

(Bowker Author Biography)

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School Library Journal Review

Gr 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. --Martha Rosen, Edgewood School, Scarsdale, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Reviews (1)

School Library Journal Review