The cover art is NOT even the best of Howell's art.
Each story is wonderfully illustrated in a completely different style.
Howell can pretty much do any style of art known to man and he's very good! The book itself gives a nice sampling of mermaid tales from around the world ( )

398.2

Not for tots; in fact probably best for teens and young women. Stunning illustrations done in the style of artwork from which culture each tale is drawn. For example, the English tale looks like a 'primitive' pub-sign family portrait, and the tale from Greece looks like it's from a terra-cotta urn. Gracefully retold to make reading and understanding easier - but still true to the style & themes of the originals (at least the ones I knew). Good author and great illustrator notes. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in classic fairy tales and global folklore themes. ( )

Wow...awesome ( )