The illustrators
The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson brought him international fame soon after it was published on 7 April, 1837, alongside The Emperor’s New Clothes.
Fast forward a hundred and fifty-two years, and this beautiful tale becomes another agent of change, when it becomes the first film to spark the “Disney Renaissance” in 1989. Sometime that year, in South Africa, a young girl, sat watching it, at the drive-in, completely enthralled.
But I, had never read the original. Not even an adapted version!
With the live action Disney film adaptation being scheduled for release in May, 2023, I thought it might be fun to explore some stand-alone versions of this remarkable tale – and on my first reading, fell in love all over again.
Anderson’s original tale is complex, and what strikes me is that the ending is not the tragic ending that one sees on the surface, but a rather happy ending as the little mermaid proves her character and gains her sense of self. But that is how I see it.
I think this is a story to be interpreted by each person individually, making it all the more important to choose an illustrated version that works for you!
Keep scrolling down to see adapted versions! There are many!
Benjamin Lacombe
Inspired by Frida Kahlo, Leonardo da Vinci and Jean Cocteau, Benjamin Lacombe’s illustrations are difficult to look away from. Bold color and deep expression evoke both the generous world of ‘The Little Mermaid’ and the loss and loneliness of the tale.
The little mermaid herself is illustrated in the image of Hans Christian Anderson, a heartwarming and clever touch.
I’ve included more pictures than usual for this book as I wasn’t sure about some of the illustrations, in regard to younger children – this way you can be the judge!
Watch my video here to see this in real time!
Translated by Mrs. H.B. Paull
Cernunnos, 2023
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∞ Amazon
Bernadette Watts
Hailed as one of Europe’s most recognized and beloved fairy-tale artists, Bernadette Watts gifts a light-filled and cheerful reading experience with a Middle-Eastern flare. Hers is an illustrated book, that has kindly made way for unabridged text. It is wonderful! No turn of the page is unadorned and it is just a gentle, colorful, full immersion into the world of The Little Mermaid.
I recently included a newly published version of her Hans Millerman in a blog post. If interested see new titles out in May, 2022.
Translated by Mrs. H.B. Paull
NorthSouth Books, 2020
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Charles Santore
The great Charles Santore has done it again with another impressive masterpiece.
Bold colors and detail separate and elevate this version, and I think, like his version of The Wizard of Oz, this would be the book that remains in a child’s memory years later.
The book interior pictures in my slideshow are from The Classic Edition, which I have listed the link to below.
Click here if you prefer the earlier version by Jelly Bean Press, 1993 (mermaid with moon in background on cover).
Cider Mill Press Book Publishers, 2013
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Christian Birmingham
Throw a Christian Birmingham illustrated classic into any of these explores and it is naturally going to be one of my top picks!
Effervescent imagery and facial expression created by chalk pastel; Birmingham’s Little Mermaid offers her soul.
This one can be a little difficult to find. I’ve included links that might help.
Translated by Naomi Lewis
Walker Books, 2009
Find It:
∞ Amazon
Lisbeth Zwerger
Prolific illustrator with her own very unique and “forward-thinking” vision, Lisbeth Zwerger’s version captivates with not only her scene interpretations but also with the little spot illustration details throughout, such as the emperor penguin or anglerfish you see pictured here.
I also love her lack of concern for physical perfection in mermaid and human characters.
Translated by Anthea Bell
Jubilee Edition! Michael Neugebauer Publishing, 2004
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Sulamith Wülfing
After the little mermaid becomes a “daughter of the air”, she returns to illustrate this version in the form of German artist Sulamith Wülfing!
Wülfing, who, as a matter of fact, had visions of angels, nature spirits and fairies and began drawing them at the age of four, illustrates her version of The Little Mermaid with a gentle ethereal touch that borders on the transparent, reflecting the little mermaid’s love and sacrifice.
Translated by Petra Michel
Bluestar Communications, 1997
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Michael Hague
Although Michael Hague’s work is pretty much always included in these explores, I almost chose not to include his version of The Little Mermaid because I felt that, although very beautiful, some of the images were a little too creepy for kids. I am still of two minds about it, but, it being so beautiful, and since Hans Christian Anderson wrote the story to be loved by young and old alike, (he was rather adamant about that), I decided to include it and let my readers be the judge!
Henry Holt & Co., 1994
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Katie Thamer Treherne
Below the surface of the rather plain-looking dust jacket, lies an ocean of gorgeous illustration in delicate watercolors by Katie Thamer Treherne. Her version gives this timeless story a Grecian or Mediterranean feel, which I love.
I’ve included a picture of the book cover beneath the dust jacket.
Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers, 1989
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Edward Frascino
I chose to include native New Yorker, Edward Frascino’s, version because I find it so charming!
Also, I just really like him…as a person! Click here for an interview he did two years ago…when he turned 90!
I have encountered Frascino’s work before, while reading The Trumpet of the Swan, (to which he is the original illustrator). However, it was in black and white, so seeing his work here in color is a real treat!
I think children will gravitate towards the cheerful illustrations with that touch of humor that seems to me to be uniquely Frascino.
Translated by Eva Le Gallienne
Harper & Row Publishers, 1971
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Golden Age Illustrators
Golden Age of Illustration Series
Have you ever had that problem, you know, where you just love ALL the Golden Age illustrators and can’t bring yourself to choose just one?
Well here is the solution!
Pook Press had the splendid idea of creating a version of The Little Mermaid, filled to the brim with illustrations from Golden Age illustrators such as William Heath Robinson, Anne Anderson, Honor Appleton, Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac-pretty much every illustrator of that time period that illustrated The Little Mermaid. It is a treasure of a book.
They have done this with several classics so please do check out their website to see more!
Pook Press, 2015
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Other The Little Mermaid Illustrators
Here are others that I didn’t feature above but are still worth mentioning – they are too difficult to find or I just felt the illustrations didn’t work for this blog’s target audience (illustrations too mature, or too sparse). Look for these on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, Alibris Books, Abebooks, or find them on internet archives or from your local bookstore or library!
Adapted Retellings, Readers, Graphic Novel and Bilingual
In these illustrator explores, I usually find myself having to painstakingly choose between original versions.
In this case, it was with the adapted/retellings that struggle surfaced. It seems, when it comes to the standalone version of The Little Mermaid, retellings are king of the sea!
So without further ado, here are no less than twelve, beautifully adapted and illustrated versions I would like to recommend:
The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney
Using pencil and watercolor, Jerry Pinkney has recreated the story of The Little Mermaid, molding it into a tale that highlights friendship, family-connection, stewardship of our Earth, and the gentle but all-important lesson that “You should never give up your voice…. for anything”. Additionally, Pinkney’s A Note from the Artist is as beautifully written as his book! I am certainly VERY impressed with this version!
Published in 2020 by Little, Brown and Company
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The Little Mermaid retold by Geraldine McCaughrean and illustrated by Laura Barrett
This is a truly different version, gorgeously written with the ending staying rather true to the sad original tale but then marvelously carving its own happier end. It is wonderful.
The illustration by Laura Barrett reflects the uniqueness of the writing with her artwork in silhouette. I think this adapted version is amazing.
Published 2019 by Orchard Books
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The Little Mermaid adapted by Giada Francia and Illustrated by Francesca Rossi
Italian illustrator, Francesca Rossi’s style is soft and becoming, with a great deal of emotional emphasis placed in the eyes, which, along with the beautifully descriptive text by Giada Francia, engages the reader completely. Full-page spreads, double-page spreads and spot illustration abound in this little version. A treasure!
Published 2015 by Sterling Children’s Books
Where to Find:
The Little Mermaid adapted and illustrated by Ian Beck
You may recognize British illustrator Ian Beck’s work, from the cover art he did for Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. In his The Little Mermaid, jeweled illustrations embellish beautiful artwork which transports the reader into the flowing magic of the ocean with every turn of the page.
Published 2005 by Random House Children’s Books
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The Little Mermaid illustrated by Francesca Salucci
This one shimmers!
A great retelling that stays very close to the events of the original but softens certain areas as to be more readable to children. Foil paper embellishes each illustration to create a wonderful shimmery effect that kids will love! I love the Sea Witch (see picture)!
Published in 2002 by Ta Chien Publishing Co.
Where to Find:
The Little Mermaid adapted and illustrated by Rachel Isadora
This understated beauty of a book is a no frills account of The Little Mermaid story, and Rachel Isadora’s watercolor images illuminate the innocence and goodness of the story’s main protagonist.
First published in 1998 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Where to Find:
The Little Mermaid retold by Jennifer Greenway and illustrated by Robyn Officer
Perfect for packing, this version is petite and pretty! It is also the only adapted retelling I’ve come across, where the prince misses the little mermaid after she is carried away into the clouds at story-end.
Published in 1992 by Ariel Books
Where to Find:
The Little Mermaid adapted by Anthea Bell and Illustrated by Chihiro Iwasaki
This adapted version by the great Japanese illustrator Chihiro Iwasaki makes use of rough brush-stroke watercolor and white space to accentuate the loneliness and emotion of the little mermaid in the tale. This is the adapted version I first read to my son, and he was enthralled.
Picture below taken by my sister, Kari, in front of a lighthouse she created out of flower pots!
Published 1984 by Simon & Schusters Children’s Publishing
Where to Find:
Once Upon A World The Little Mermaid by Hannah Eliot and Illustrated by Nivea Ortiz
A wonderful version set in the Caribbean, with all the joy and colors of the area brought to life. This retelling is all happiness, with only the smallest bit of the angst from the original tale included. Even the Sea Witch looks marvelous!
Published in 2018 by Little Simon, Simon & Schuster
Where to Find:
The Little Mermaid by Metaphrog (Sandra Marrs and John Chalmers)
This graphic novel version tells the story of The Little Mermaid using gorgeous artwork with a 1920’s, almost Great Gatsby-like aesthetic, as one glance at the endpapers will confirm. The writing is beautiful, with a modernizing touch and a more involved explanation of her transition into sea foam – I loved that!
Published in 2017 by Papercutz
Where to Find:
The Little Mermaid Read with Usborne retold by Katie Daynes and Illustrated by Alan Marks
The Little Mermaid retold by Oriol Izquierdo and Illustrated by Max
In this bilingual Spanish/English version the text stays very close to the original, with most events occurring just as Hans Christian Anderson wrote them. The illustrations by Barcelona-based artist and illustrator Max are modern with a simple and soft color palette. I love it!
Published in 2003 by Chronicle Books
Where to Find:
Recently published!
Illustrated by Benjamin Lacombe
This version has been out in French. I am so pleased that there is now an English version!
Published August 29, 2023, by Cernnunos
That's it for now! Which is your favorite illustrated version?
Let me know in the comments section below and thank you for visiting!
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References: Coming Soon
I love all of these illustrations that you posted, it is really hard to choose only one! As a teacher, it is very interesting and beautiful this blog and I hope you will always be doing such a wonderful work so I will share with my kiddos.
Lilly Thank You so much for your comment! It makes me so happy to know that!