Mrs. Karp, I hope Mortimer and his nephew, Orman, come back for a visit. It would be fun to ride on a whale with you! I would still be a little scared, but not terrified.

REFRAIN:

Let the water roar

Deep down we’re swimming along

Twirling, swirling, singing the mermaid song.

VERSE 1:

Shelly flips her tail

Racing, diving, chasing a whale

Twirling, swirling, singing the mermaid song.

VERSE 2:

Pearl likes to shine

Oh my Neptune, she looks so fine

Twirling, swirling, singing the mermaid song.

VERSE 3:

Shining Echo flips her tail

Backward and forward without fail

Twirling, swirling, singing the mermaid song.

VERSE 4:

Amazing Kiki

Far from home and floating so free

Twirling, swirling, singing the mermaid song.

Author’s Note

OCEANS ARE FANTASTIC PLACES filled with incredible creatures, like humpback whales. Check out the fangtooth or the hairy angler if you want to see something really creepy! Maybe there are other living things we haven’t found yet that are even more amazing—like mermaids! Read on for some facts about the ocean animals mentioned in this book. Hope I didn’t miss any! Tell me about your favorite sea creature by writing me on the Kids Talk to Debbie section of www.debbiedadey.com. Is your favorite a baby whale, like Orman?

My nephew Damon Gibson actually swam with humpbacks and told me it was one of the coolest experiences of his life. If you don’t know how to swim, I hope you’ll learn. After all, you may get to swim with whales one day!

Take care,

Debbie Dadey

Glossary

BARREL SPONGE: This huge sponge is large enough for a person to hide inside!

BASKETWEAVE CUSK-EEL: This eel has been found at depths of 26,000 feet, the greatest depth for any fish.

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN: These dolphins vary in color from pale blue to slate gray. They “talk” using whistles, clicks, and squeaks.

CONCH: The conch shell has been collected because of its beauty, and the conch itself has been eaten for food. Conchs are now at risk for extinction.

FANGTOOTH: This deep-water fish has a large head and massive teeth.

GRAY HERON: This gray-backed bird will wait patiently for a long time and then stab quickly with its bill to catch a fish.

GREAT WHITE SHARK: Great whites have been known to attack humans, but we are not their natural prey. Scientists believe that the attacking shark mistakes the human for a seal or a turtle. It is important to stay out of the ocean during early-morning and early-evening hours, when sharks are more likely to feed.

HAIRY ANGLER: Only a few of these weird-looking fish have ever been seen. The hairy angler has a huge mouth, little eyes, and long, thin fin rays, making it look like a bald man with a few wild hairs.