Long, long ago there was a time when men did not venture into the deep ocean waters. It was believed that the world was flat and to sail beyond the horizon meant falling off the edge of the earth. So even though they were drawn to and fascinated by the ocean, men feared it. And as men lived their lives above the water, far beyond their view and in the ocean's deepest depths lived mysterious and magical sea creatures, half girl and half fish. These shy, gentle creatures were called mermaids and much loved by the ocean. And when men finally overcame their fear and ventured out to sea, risking disaster and even death, it was the mermaids who came to their rescue. Written by award-winning author Trinka Hakes Noble, this original legend explains the origin of sea glass, attributing it to the tears of mermaids, weeping for lives lost at sea.

Author: Trinka Hakes Noble

Trinka Hakes Noble is the award-winning author of numerous picture books including The Orange Shoes (2007 National Parenting Publications Awards Honors Winner), The Scarlet Stockings Spy (2005 IRA Teachers' Choice), The Last Brother, and The Legend of the Cape May Diamond. Ms. Noble also wrote the ever-popular Jimmy's Boa series and Meanwhile Back at the Ranch, both featured on PBS's Reading Rainbow. Her many awards include ALA Notable Children's Book, Booklist Children's Editors' Choice, IRA-CBC Children's Choice, Learning: The Year's Ten Best, and several Junior Literary Guild Selections. Ms. Noble has studied children's book writing and illustrating in New York City at Parsons School of Design, the New School University, Caldecott medalist Uri Shulevitz's Greenwich Village Workshop, and at New York University. A member of the Rutgers University Council on Children's Literature, she was awarded Outstanding Woman 2002 in Arts and Letters in the state of New Jersey for her lifetime work in children's books. Ms. Noble currently lives in the historic Jockey Hollow area of Bernardsville, New Jersey.

Illustrator: Doris Ettlinger

Doris Ettlinger has illustrated many picture books, including the award-winning titles The Orange Shoes and A Book for Black-Eyed Susan. Recent books are S is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet and The Legend of Sea Glass. Each book presents a new illustration challenge. Aim for the Skies gave Doris the chance to imagine very small aircraft in vast stormy skies. Doris lives and works with her husband in an old gristmill in western New Jersey. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Doris earned an MFA from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She learned watercolor technique from her mother, Minnie Ettlinger. To see more of her work, follow Doris Ettlinger Studio on Facebook or Instagram, or visit dorisettlinger.com.