Lampie has always been a responsible kid. With a vanished mother, an alcoholic father, and a lighthouse to run, she has no choice. But one night, disaster strikes: the lighthouse lamp goes out and a ship is wrecked. Lampie is packed off in disgrace to work off the debt at the Admiral’s ominously nicknamed Black House. 

When the stories of the Black House monster turn out to conceal a marvelous secret, Lampie discovers a world of wonder. This spellbinding what-if sequel to The Little Mermaid stars pirates, mermaids, carnival curiosities, and one girl’s fight for friendship, freedom, and the right to be different. (From Charlesbridge)

This story by Dutch illustrator and writer, Annet Schaap, was first released in 2017. The English translation, to be released this month, will make it available to a wider audience. You’re in for a dark tale that keeps you reading in hopes of a happy ending for our young heroine, Lampie.

She can’t read or write, has no real friends, but still pushes on through all the twists and turns of her life. When Lampie arrives at the Black House things don’t get any better until she discovers the so called monster in the tower room. Their relationship gets off to a rough start when “Fish” as she calls him bites her and draws blood. It’s a slow go to BFF territory from there, but what Lampie does for both of them will effect each of their lives in profound ways.

The third person narration stays with Lampie most of the way, but there are also moments with the father, Fish the monster, and a few other secondary characters. If you like fairy tales and dark plots, you have the perfect one here.

English Version Release: October 13, 2020 Page Count: 352

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT OF SALT AND SHORE

1. The story has six parts and the art work that starts each section off is amazing.
2. I’m happy to say this is not a Little Mermaid rehash. It’s a fantasy that sits nicely on its own.
3. Lampie has such an innocent personality that you instantly want to help her as she does for others. A strong lovable character you won’t forget.
4. The monster’s character arc will make you smile.
5. I think kids will like this one more than adults. I guess that makes me a kid at heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Annet was born in Ochten and grew up in the village of Maartensdijk, near Utrecht. She studied illustration at the Kunstacademie in Kampen and at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague.

She has been working as an illustrator for thirty years and has illustrated over 200 books, including the How Do I Survive series, the Superjuffie series, and the work of Jacques Vriens. Annet spent two and a half years traveling across North America in a motorhome named “Molly” with her husband and son.

Her debut novel, Lampje, was first published in her home country of the Netherlands, where she now lives with her family. Lampje has won four prizes, including the best Dutch children’s book of the year for 2018; it has been released in the UK as Lampie and the Children of the Sea and is now available in the United States as Of Salt & Shore.

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I received an ARC to complete this review. Comments are welcome below.