Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A tiny mermaid who yearns for grown-up work patiently completes a task that transforms her world. For her fable about patience and perseverance, Idle has created stunning watery spreads full of curves reflecting the gently scalloped edges of the giant clam that is Pearl's home. Done with colored pencils in shades of pink and white for the mermaid and soft blues fading to green sea, these suggest an animator's dream. Her ocean has breaking waves, softly colored coral reefs, "towering forests of kelp," and a giant—but never threatening—octopus. The tiny grain of sand Pearl's mother gives her to care for seems insignificant in comparison, but with time, careful nurturing, and polishing, it grows and glows, finally taking its place in the night sky to light up her world. The lyrical text perfectly matches these stunning illustrations. As Pearl and her mother "[swim] up…and up…and up…" the figures rise and the color of the sea lightens. Disappointment at the seemingly trivial task she's assigned weighs her "down…down…down," and she slowly sinks back into darker depths. After many scenes showing the small mermaid in a larger sea, a close-up of her face as she discovers the sand's potential emphasizes her new understanding. Careful word choice and thoughtful phrasing make this a pleasure to read aloud.A gentle, glowing lesson that even the smallest efforts can lead to large, even environmental results. (Picture book. 3-7)

ALA Booklist (Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Magical curving mermaids floating in a vast sea of blue have various jobs that little Pearl envies. They watch over the breaking waves on the beaches, tend the great coral reefs and kelp forests, and guard the mighty octopus and other giants of the deep. Mother says Pearl's job is to care for a tiny grain of sand, because "The smallest of things can make a great difference." Although dismayed, every day she polishes it, keeping it close until it begins to grow, glowing with a lustrous light. Eventually it rises as a giant ball and settles in the vast sea of stars. Lit by the moon's glowing light, a beaming Pearl swims to rest on a pink seashell in her watery home. Illustrations in Prismacolor pencils contrast the azure, cerulean, and indigo of the sea with the soft white lights of the moon and surf. Pearl pops in pink, surrounded by glorious marine flora and fauna. Every picture is full bleed in double spreads, immersing readers in the glorious ocean environment.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

When young mermaid Pearl's mother entrusts her with protecting a single grain of sand, Pearl is frustrated by the seeming unimportance of her responsibility. A luminous sequence of illustrations reveals what makes this grain special, leading the story--a stylish original pourquoi tale--to its satisfying conclusion. Idle's color palette has a stunning depth and gradation of undersea hues--all rendered in sharp and clear colored pencil.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A tiny mermaid who yearns for grown-up work patiently completes a task that transforms her world. For her fable about patience and perseverance, Idle has created stunning watery spreads full of curves reflecting the gently scalloped edges of the giant clam that is Pearl's home. Done with colored pencils in shades of pink and white for the mermaid and soft blues fading to green sea, these suggest an animator's dream. Her ocean has breaking waves, softly colored coral reefs, "towering forests of kelp," and a giant—but never threatening—octopus. The tiny grain of sand Pearl's mother gives her to care for seems insignificant in comparison, but with time, careful nurturing, and polishing, it grows and glows, finally taking its place in the night sky to light up her world. The lyrical text perfectly matches these stunning illustrations. As Pearl and her mother "[swim] up…and up…and up…" the figures rise and the color of the sea lightens. Disappointment at the seemingly trivial task she's assigned weighs her "down…down…down," and she slowly sinks back into darker depths. After many scenes showing the small mermaid in a larger sea, a close-up of her face as she discovers the sand's potential emphasizes her new understanding. Careful word choice and thoughtful phrasing make this a pleasure to read aloud.A gentle, glowing lesson that even the smallest efforts can lead to large, even environmental results. (Picture book. 3-7)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Idle (Flora and the Flamingo) creates an undersea realm of mermaids whose graceful swoops and swirls offer visual delight. Pearl longs to be like the other mermaids, each of whom is assigned something to watch over-vast forests of kelp, giant creatures of the deep. When her mother gives her a single grain of sand, she-s heartbroken. -Her heart grew heavy, and the weight of it pulled her down... down... down...- tumbling through the sea of blue until she sinks to the sea floor. But soon she discovers something special about her grain of sand: it glows and grows, and the story soars toward a light-filled, celestial conclusion. The text reads smoothly and naturally, like a retelling of an old fairy tale, and balletic spreads revel in the contrast between the intense pink of the mermaids and the soft aqua of the undersea world. The reminder not to scorn that which appears insignificant is always worth repeating, but here, it-s the enthralling underwater acrobatics that will bring readers back. Ages 4-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-Gr 1 There are many aspects of an ocean a mermaid might be assigned to watch over: coral reefs, sand beaches, or the living creatures beneath the surface. So young mermaid Pearl is disappointed and saddened to learn that she is to "look after" a single grain of sand. Though reluctant to accept such an insignificant charge, she complies when her mother tells her "The smallest of things can make a great difference." The child takes her responsibility seriously and as she watches, her grain of sand grows bigger and brighter. Beautiful Prismacolor pencil drawings in the blues, greens, and teals of the sea are soft and soothing; additional touches of white and brilliant pink fairly leap off the pages. The white text is placed in a variety of locations throughout the story but, unfortunately, fades and becomes difficult to read on several pages where positioned over a pale portion of the illustration. VERDICT Idle's appealing story is a quiet, charming pourquoi tale that will delight young readers and listeners. Perfect for bedtime or anytime sharing. Maryann H. Owen, Oak Creek Public Library WI