I found this excellent-condition hardcover in the swap shop of Nashua's Four Hills landfill/recycle center. [The most amazing things turn up there!] I'd adored Nesbit's (few but excellent) ghost stories, and had read one or two of her children's books, but hadn't heard of this one. It appears to involve children rescuing a mermaid and getting to join her under the sea by means of (according to the cover art by Paul O. Zelinsky) removable fish-tails...

[I used one of the "Turtle Woman" bookplate labels in this one, as she's shown reading by the seaside and looks as if she'd be most at home in this story!]

*** Later: I skimmed the book and found it less involving than the other Nesbit books I've read - maybe I just wasn't in the mood? It does have some cute touches, including a chapter about the attack of the "Book People," fictional characters who are empowered to attack anyone who's read about them, but who are powerless against those who haven't. So one of the main characters points out that she's read almost nothing and offers to help guard against the Book People, to which the Princess replies joyously, "...you possess the only weapon that can be used against these people or against the authors who created them. If you can truthfully say to them, 'I never heard of you,' your words become a deadly sword that strikes at their most sensitive spot... their vanity." [I'm wondering if Nesbit wrote this after attending a gathering of authors {wry grin}.]

RELEASE NOTES:

There's a pretty little park on Main St. just to the south of the bridge, with a granite monument shaped like the state of New Hampshire, a bench, some cherry trees, and a lovely view of the river. I left the book on the bench there at about 1:15, inside a BookCrossing bag in case the rain starts up again. Hope the photos turn out - it's a very pretty spot!

*** Update: the photos did turn out (see this and previous entries), but I didn't have them back when mayomerry posted this wonderful journal entry. (If you're tuning in, thanks so much for catching my book - hope you enjoy it!)

I arrived early for a historical walking tour on Sunday May 15th,2005. As I was waiting for the tour to begin I strolled around the park and noticed a book propped up on the park bench. Hmmmm I thought, I wondered what that is? So I moved in a little closer and picked up the book after reading the sign that stated "I'm NOT LOST!" giving me permission to do so. My partner now is leaning curiously over my shoulder as I take the book out of the plastic bag (protection against the threating rain storm)and proceed to read the bookmark. "I love this stuff!" I said out loud to no one in particular. Especially this as it involves books and reading my two favorite things in all the world. I returned the book to the bench though thinking I didnt want to carry it for the two hour walking tour; but a passerby said that she had done this sort of thing and liked it. That clinched it for me. I went back and grabbed the book, not wanting to lose my opportunity to have this fun experience.
As we have company from out of state visiting with us it has been hard for me to find the time to get online to register that I found the book and also find time to read it but I am excited about reading this new found book and learning more about Bookcrossing!! Thank you so much for introducing me to what I think is going to be a wonderful journey.