A pirate on his ship and a mermaid in the sea are pleased to spot storm clouds on the horizon. While she likes dancing "to the beat of the rain on the sea," he enjoys the challenge of crossing the rolling deck. Lightning splits the ship's mast, which falls overboard. He casts a net into the sea, but when it entangles the mermaid, he leaps into the water. Apologizing in words she can't understand, he frees her. His ship is listing, so she guards him from sharks while he hides his treasure underwater. Though neither understands the other's language, they become friends, and later, each misses the other. After his ship is repaired, they reunite at sea. She says, "Glubbity." He says "Aargh," and both mean "Hello, Friend." Created with a pleasing palette, the illustrations have an appealing, cartoonlike simplicity. They clearly express the emotions of the main characters, who are portrayed as Black. Well worded and concise, the text tells the story of a friendship overcoming obstacles. A mermaid/pirate picture book that's fun for reading aloud.

In Baptiste’s sweet tale of oceanic connection, a mermaid and a pirate, each portrayed with brown skin, exult in storms. “She liked to roll with the waves and dance to the beat of the rain on the sea.... He liked how the wind whipped the water and snapped the ropes.” When lightning breaks the mast of the pirate’s ship, and both beings move to secure it, the mermaid becomes tangled in the pirate’s net. Though their attempts at communication reveal a language barrier (the pirate hears “Gloop” when the mermaid says “Thank you”; the mermaid hears “Aarrgh” when the pirate says “You’re welcome”), they become friends, together engaging in undersea adventures. After a separation, the two even meet again later, swimming together toward the horizon. Using paneled spreads and dual perspectives, Adams’s animation-style art is an ideal match for Baptiste’s lighthearted story, which illustrates how being different need be no impediment to bonding. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)