Luisa of the Sea

When a fierce ocean storm shatters the beloved seaside mural of Luisa the mermaid, a small fishing village loses more than a wall of color—it loses a piece of its heart.In Luisa of the Sea, children rally alongside an art restorer to gather the broken fragments of the mural that once watched over their town. Together they learn the delicate craft of piecing something precious back together—brick by brick, brushstroke by brushstroke—and discover that healing what’s broken can make a community stronger than before. Blending masterful storytelling with art history, Luisa of the Sea introduces young readers to mermaid mythology, ancient fresco traditions, and the real-life heroes who restore and protect art. With luminous illustrations and a message about resilience, teamwork, and the beauty of visible scars, this book reminds readers that wholeness is not about perfection—it’s about care. Written by husband-and-wife team Todd Kessler, creator of Blue’s Clues, and Rosa Lowinger, a celebrated art conservator, Luisa of the Sea invites children to look closely at the art around them and see how every act of repair—big or small—can be its own kind of magic.