Kathryn Lasky: NEWS
 
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Hello Readers, From Wolves to Mermaids: what could be more different? But this is one of the things that inspires me as a writer—diversity of subject matter—which is why I’m excited to present the next book in my Daughters of the Sea series , Lucy, which will be published in about six weeks. The book has a breathtaking cover, one of the most beautiful ever, I think. The Daughters of the Sea books bring up an interesting question concerning research: How does one collect information about creatures like mermaids that do not really exist? After all, although the Wolves of the Beyond and The Guardians of Ga’Hoole are fantasy, they feature real animals. There is an abundance of material on the biology and behaviors of both species. But what is the behavior of a mermaid? What is the biology of a mermaid? Does one just make it up? Well, sort of! However there are ways one can do research. I began by reading all the myths and legends I could find. Almost every culture in the world has mermaid stories. Eventually, I found my way to the Selkie literature. Selkies are creatures who resemble seals in the ocean but become humans on land. This line of inquiry led me to other shape shifter stories. Of course, at the heart of all these stories is the struggle of having to divide one’s being; one’s soul, really, between two different worlds — that of humans and that of magical creatures. However, it was not only the sea world of the three mer girls that concerned me, but the one they lived in on land. The series is set at the turn of the last century between the years 1898 and 1900. Hannah is a servant for a very wealthy family. May is the foster daughter of a lighthouse keeper off the coast of Maine. Lucy comes to Bar Harbor when her father is appointed the minister of the small church for the wealthy summer residents. I had to find out what it was like to grow up on the periphery of a world of wealth and privilege. I did tons of research about what the people wore, their parties, the food they served. What was it like to be a scullery girl, the lowest of servants in a grand mansion? This was terrifically fun research, and a year ago, the best thing happened. Downtown Abbey, the Masterpiece Theater series, debuted on public television. All I had been reading about was now right before my eyes. I am among the four million people who are addicted to this series. I can’t wait for Sunday evenings at 9:00 o’clock. Below is a list of some of the books that have helped me with both parts of my research. For now that’s about it and look for Lucy. She is coming March 1. Cheers Kathryn Mermaid Tales from Around the World by Mary Pope Osborn The Celtic Breeze Storiesof the Otherworld From Scotland, Ireland and Wales by Heather McNeil Greyling by Jane Yolen Tales of the Seal People: Scottish Folktales by Duncan Williamson The World of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes Lady Almina and The Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by Countess Fiona Carnarvon Polly’s Story :Swallowhill Hall by Jennie Walters