"I'm Cora," I say. "Don't be afraid. You aren't lost anymore. You're found."
Combing the beach after a lashing storm, Cora is busy filling her bag with sea glass when she spies an amazing sight by the water's edge: a tiny mermaid nestled in an abalone shell. Mama's face turns pale when she sees her, but soon the half baby, half fish is squirming in the bathtub, giggling on wheelbarrow rides, exploring tide pools, and playing shadow games with Cora. All is blissful until Cora hears some strange whispering coming from the baby's shell necklace, a voice that calls "Orpheline, Orpheline . . ." Protest as she will, Cora knows that this precious baby belongs to the sea--and to someone who misses her dearly. Poignant, atmospheric, and shimmering with mermaid magic, Orpheline will win the heart of every child who's longed to have their fantasies come true, if only for a little while.