Local nonprofit publisher Seven Seas Press is partnering with Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara to mail a gift to Girls Inc. participants in kindergarten to second grade.
During July, 173 girls who attend Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara will receive a copy of the book “Mermaid Dreams” in the mail.
Authored and illustrated by local award-winning children’s books creators Janet Lucy and Colleen McCarthy Evans, “Mermaid Dreams” is inspired by a real, local girl who has ocean fears and nightmares and dreams of being a mermaid.
“We are grateful for the generous donations and true community effort that has made this gift possible,” said Erika Romer, executive director of Seven Seas Press. “Our partners at Girls Inc. have gone above and beyond during these turbulent times to do everything in their power to get these books to the girls they were meant for.
“When it became clear that we would not be able to hand the books out in person as we had intended, we reached out to American Riviera Bank who generously offered to cover the cost of postage. When we struggled to track down nonprofit stamps, local printing company Boone Printing came to the rescue donating the stamps needed.
“Santa Barbara locals are known to come together and to make great things happen. We are thankful to be part of this community,” Romer said.
“I imagine the ‘Strong, Smart, and Bold’ girls at Girls Inc. might empathize with the fears and dreams of the protagonist Maya in ‘Mermaid Dreams’ and find inspiration, comfort and joy in her beautiful undersea journey,” Lucy said. “We hope this book offers the girls and their families an additional resource this summer and beyond.
“We are grateful for the shared vision and partnership with Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara.”
“Mermaid Dreams” includes a discussion guide and activities and is aimed at readers aged 4-8. A bilingual version “Mermaid Dreams/Sueños de Sirena” is also available.
Seven Seas Press is a Santa Barbara nonprofit that publishes books highlighting our shared humanity. Through funding, Seven Seas Press is able to donate books and partners with organizations that offer direct services to children and families, locally and internationally.