Cadence and Kittenfish: A Mermaid Tale

If a kitten hates the water … can it come to love a mermaid? Find out in this story about setting goals, problem-solving, and (eventually) making friends.

Cadence is a very busy little mermaid—dancing with dolphins in the morning and practicing Tai Chi at the lighthouse in the afternoon—but something is missing. She really wants a kitten!

When she discovers a family of felines onshore, Cadence can’t believe her luck. But, as the mermaid tries to play with one of the kittens, she soon discovers that cats do not like water and are very pointy in all the wrong places. Ouch!

With her kitten dreams dashed, Cadence couldn’t be sadder. Is there a pet out there that can love her and the sea? Maybe there’s one right under her fin!

From author Judith L. Roth and artist Jaclyn Sinquett, Cadence and Kittenfish: A Mermaid Tale reminds us to follow our hearts and our fins—and be ready for some surprises!

Judith L. Roth is the author of several picture books and a middle-grade novel in verse. Her most recent books include Venetian Lullaby and Hiding Baby Moses (Junior Library Guild Selection and Shortlist for 2022 Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana Authors Awards). She was born in a California beach town and now lives with her husband and three cats in Elkhart, Indiana.

Jaclyn Sinquett grew up playing in her dad's garden, feeding worms to box turtles and tossing french fries to seagulls at the Jersey shore. She now spends her time painting shells with her little daughter, catching up on a certain great baking show, and illustrating books for children. Her favorite color is yellow ochre. She received her BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in 2008, and has been illustrating professionally ever since. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.