From award-winning and beloved author Jane Yolen, this delightful picture book is a funny and endearing field guide to the unique world of mermaids. Would you like to spot a mermaid? If so, you will need a few supplies and a great deal of patience. As we learn in these informative illustrated pages, mermaids are very shy and do not make friends easily. But if you find a place near the water, sit very still, and are willing to share your Goldfish crackers, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one. And who knows . . . there may even be a mermaid, somewhere, hoping to catch a glimpse of you, too! Mermaid fans and science-minded young readers alike will love thestep-by-step guidance in How to Spot a Mermaid, a clever how-to book that celebrates the magic in the world around us and helps us to let our imaginations run wild and swim the line between reality and fiction. FOR IMAGINATIVE EXPLORERS: Binoculars, map, pad, and pen--check. The main character who leads the way on this mermaid search is an engaged young scientist doing exciting fieldwork. She is at the ready for real-world observational science with all the tools she needs--including a sense of curiosity! ENVIRONMENTAL BOOK FOR KIDS: Preservation of our wilderness--and our waterways in particular--is essential, and this book makes a great, upbeat starting point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world's natural habitats and ecosystems. GORGEOUS UNDERWATER WORLD: This captivating marine life book illuminates the amazing biodiversity and wonder of our world's waterways by telling the story of one curious kid's search for an ever-elusive mermaid.