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A black mermaid and a black pirate build a friendship through kindness, empathy, and shared adventure in this heartwarming picture book by New York Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste. Colorful and expressive illustrations by Leisl Adams dazzle on each page as the titular due get into trouble, share some laughs, and form a bond despite their differences. Baptiste who authored the indie-beloved middle grade “Jumbies” series and “African Icons” – wanted to bring to the spotlight that Black mermaids have long existed in African and Caribbean fairy tales and lore. Yet, these characters have been noticeably absent in American popular culture. So in 2019, Baptiste wrote a magnificent op-ed for The New York Times entitled “Mermaids Have Always Been Black” and then, the first draft of the manuscript that would become Mermaid and Pirate. Then last year, Disney announced the LIVE action remake of THE LITTLE MERMAID with Halle Bailey starring as the first and only black Ariel. Bailey is the 20-something singer and one half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle, a protégé of Beyoncé, and a star on Freeform's Grown-ish.