MILTON, Del. - The imagination of children has taken center stage in the creation of a children's book titled "Under a Mermaid Moon." The brainchild of a retired English teacher, Cathy Miller, the book was brought to life through the artistic endeavors of students from H.O. Brittingham Elementary School in Milton.
The concept for the book came from a dolphin sculpture painted with mermaids, done by the late local artist Julie Molyneux in Rehoboth Beach over a decade and a half ago.
The concept for the book came from a dolphin sculpture painted with mermaids, done by the late local artist Julie Molyneux in Rehoboth Beach over a decade and a half ago. For Miller, the book's fruition marks the realization of a long-held dream,
"It's really part of a dream come true for me. The living in Rehoboth and also the publishing of the book," expressed Miller.
The collaboration between Miller and her former students turned this project into a culmination of passions,
"I was just concerned about going out and getting a sort of generic artist, someone that I didn't know, someone who maybe didn't know the area so I didn't really want to do that," Miller explained.
The art teacher, Cherylyn Minto, said the selection process for the student artists was based on their artistic skills and enthusiasm. Each drawing presented an opportunity for the young artists to refine their talents.
Ari Sandler, one of the students involved in the project, said, "I made the rocks and I tried to make them look more realistic. Like the gray ones and also these are some rocks that got some seaweed on them."
The experience has sparked ambitions among the young artists. Adriana Hernandez said, "Maybe I want to be like an illustrator and an author after this. It was a really fun experience."
Looking ahead, Miller aims to write another children's book, this time centered around an old locomotive that once traversed Rehoboth Beach.
"Under a Mermaid Moon" is available for purchase at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach or at Bethany Beach Books.