Nen and the Lonely Fisherman

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Nen’s father Pelagios warns his son to stay away from the world above, as humans are damaging the oceans. However, Nen knows that there is something special about Ernest, who is kind, gentle and considerate, and the pair continue to meet each night, to talk, laugh and dream. Angry that his son refuses to heed his warnings, Pelagios unleashes a terrible storm, which places Ernest in grave danger. A beautiful tale of longing, love and the importance of protecting the oceans ... a standout picture book.” - Matthew Todd, Former Editor, Attitude Magazine Nen and the Lonely Fisherman by Ian Eagleton (author) and James Mayhew (illustrator) is a classic ‘little mermaid’ tale focussing on a beautiful and blossoming LGBTQ+ relationship. Nen is a merman in search of true love, he sends a song of hope across the sea where it is heard by Ernest. Ernest is a gentle and caring fisherman who hopes to find warmth in his heart, and when the two meat they form a special connection. However, Nen’s father Pelagios isn’t happy with this special friendship and creates a wild storm at sea to protect his son and his ocean home. Will Nen be able to save Ernest from his father’s dismay? This isn’t just a book with one story. There’s historical stories and a wish for a different story, a future of hope, all rolled into one. In James’ blog post he talks about the suggestion from some that Nen and the Lonely Fisherman should come with an advisory label for LGBTQ+ content. Children at every age have a right to see same-sex couples represented in their books in an age-appropriate, positive and celebratory way.

Firstly, and most importantly, joy and wonder and that cosiness when you cuddle up with an adult and share a book is magic. I hope children will love seeing Nen and Ernest’s relationship grow and develop. That it might make some subtle suggestions about how we can look after our oceans and each other. The best thing is when children create artwork and their own stories inspired by your book. I’m looking forward to reading children’s own modern fairy tales and seeing all their mermaid artwork! Nen is a Merman, who spends his days exploring the ocean and all the treasures beneath the waves. He is happy but also missing something important from his life - companionship. That is until he meets Ernest, a fisherman who devotes his life to 'rescuing, freeing, collecting, dreaming ... and creating!'. The match feels pre-destined: both Nen and Ernest are kind and caring but lonely, looking for their soulmate. As always, we love to have a few props to bring stories even more to life. There are lots of creative activities you could enjoy to go alongside this story too: For us, we were very aware that we wanted to show Nen and Ernest’s relationship in a tender, loving way but were nervous about depicting things like them holding hands. Our main concern was really how adults would react to this – all the children who have read our book have adored seeing a happy ending between two men.

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Whether you explore the names in your family or you are a teacher and explore the names in your class you can look at lots of things that may spark discussion: A heartfelt story of a Merman and a Fisherman both missing something special in their lives. It is Nen’s sad soulful song that leads him to Ernest a kind caring fisherman who is a rescuer, a collector, a dreamer and creator. James Mayhew’s next project is a fabulous book called Once Upon a Tune, which features six stories from many lands, all of which have inspired great music. More information I wrote so many stories about mermaids as a child. And often got in trouble for not writing about anything else! This picture book paints a beautiful story about love, acceptance and hope. Lyrical language and vivid imagery reflect subtle messages about the state of the world’s oceans and the human impact on the environment, creating links to the science and geography curriculums. An important book for LGBTQIA+ representation, the story also lends itself to discussions around relationships and family. Links and themes:

Helps you understand yourself and others. It helps you to peek into other people’s lives and empathise with them. It helps you understand that, despite our differences, we have much in common.There are two very special illustrations in the book. One is of Nen and Ernest staring lovingly into each other’s eyes after a terrible storm. We felt this special moment really deserved a close-up of their faces to capture the love between them. Adaptations abound Andersen's The Little Mermaid but I think that Nen and the Lonely Fisherman is the first book to take the original and cast it as a love story between two men. It does so with warmth, beauty and sensitivity, making it a beautiful tale for readers of all ages. The other story fills me with such hope – when a class I had taught found out I was getting married to a man they all cheered and clapped and were so pleased for me. A sense of shame and anxiety should never cloud the way we speak to children – they deserve to hear about our world and the many ways in which we love and live.

A lovely, gentle story of friendship and love between a merman, Nen, and Ernest, the fisherman of the title, with a conservationist theme rippling throughout. Mayhew's light-dappled, tender illustrations are the perfect foil for Eagleton's quiet, well chosen words.” - The Guardian There’s nothing explicit in the book. Spoiler alert – Nen and Ernest hold hands! Should we have a content warning each time a prince wields true love’s kiss on an unconsenting sleeping beauty! I think this would make for an interesting discussion point when exploring the text. Dreamily Co-created

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Both imagery and text intertwine effortlessly to tell the tale of Nen and Ernest. The illustrator’s brush strokes in the paint bringing to life the author’s words – Nen fought through the churning, lashing tempest. What the meaning of a name is – do different names have similar meanings, where might that meaning have come from? I’d also recommend getting in touch with A New Chapter, which is a new online bookshop. They are able to curate sets of books for you relating to the themes you are exploring with your class and are very reasonable. What message would this be giving to our children? Personally, I would be horrified to find an advisory label attached to this book.

Nen's father Pelagios is furious. He doesn't want his son mixing with the people who were destroying his oceans. He causes a terrible tempest, during which Ernest's little boat is capsized and Ernest falls into the tumultuous waves of the sea. As an experienced primary school teacher, Ian Eagleton is arguably suitably placed to guide young people through new concepts. His book, Nen and the Lonely Fisherman is just that – a new way of looking at a love story. When merman Nen comes across a lonely fisherman by the name of Ernest, the two begin a courtship that will see them having to overcome barriers to be together. Eagleton’s words are coupled with the beautiful illustrations of James Mayhew, which broaden the traditional love story mould, and introduce the book’s younger audience to same-sex relationships. Merman Nen loves to explore the mysterious depths of the ocean, but his heart feels empty. Each night, he sings to the sea and his words of hope are carried across the waves by the twinkling stars. Winner of the inaugural Polari Children’s and YA Prize 2022, praised for being “important and radical”.

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I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to share this thought-provoking and magical book with a number of classes across a range of primary year groups recently. It is remarkably versatile and offers options to engage and link to many curriculum areas, as well as provide the opening for rich discussions on a range of topics. This is a very difficult question as I’ve been a primary school teacher and haven’t worked in a school where there has been a proper school library run by a qualified and experienced school librarian. I’d say that school librarians are one of the most important people in a school – their job is different to a teacher and their skills and expertise help children find books that are perfect for them. Nen’s father has warned him not to go to the land where the humans are destroying his ocean, but Nen goes anyway. In his frustration Pelagios becomes angry and causes a raging storm which tips Ernest from his boat. Nen seeks him in the deep dark depths, is all lost? Will Nen be able to find the fisherman in time? And if so, will they be able to overcome adversity and have the friendship they long for?