by Andy Tolson
Nimbus Publishing, 2024
ISBN 978-1-77471-309-9
$14.95, 264 pp, ages 8 – 12
nimbus.ca
There is no one Tiny Wilde looks up to more than his infamous father, Gregor Wilde. Despite the many obstacles of being mythic in a world without magic, Tiny’s father has remained strong. Learning that he can go on a heroic quest, Tiny excitedly agrees to do so in the hopes of proving himself as heroic. He soon realizes that he’s not the only hero on this quest, as his childhood friend Nalia is his rival. The tension between them is always high, but they manage to overlook their petty competitions for the bigger goal of bringing magic back to Wonderville. With the assistance of their zany gnome mentor Podge, they set off to the woods on their Hero’s Journey. As the story progresses, Tiny learns more about what happened to the lost magic, the mystery surrounding his mentor, and the town’s government secrets. This book is full of fantastical creatures, powerful spells, and is the first book of an ongoing series.
Classroom Connections: How to Kidnap a Mermaid is a perfect example of the hero’s journey, and could be a vehicle for students to connect to other novels with this theme. Finding the secret to everlasting happiness is a task Tiny has to complete by the end of the book, which is a great question for students to ponder. It was grilled cheese sandwiches for Tiny, but readers’ answers can be a way for them to learn more about each other and discuss what makes them happy. The mythical creatures can be a lesson on descriptive vocabulary that considers what makes something scary, kind, or brave.
Review by Katherine West-Sells.
This review is featured in Canadian Teacher Magazine’s Winter 2025 issue.