Legends tell of beautiful creatures living deep in the ocean, ready to either help passing ships or lure sailors to their graves. From fairy tales to films, mermaids have captured people's imaginations for centuries. Readers will enjoy learning about the histories and behaviors of these legendary creatures, along with their presence in popular culture. Vivid images and a helpful diagram illustrate a mermaid's anatomy. Additional features include a phonetic glossary, resources for further study, an index, and an introduction to the author.