- The lead role of Ariel in the 2023 live-action remake of THE LITTLE MERMAID is being played by Black actress, Halle Bailey, as yet another great example of the movement to see more characters in movies and TV shows played by people of colour, and Oona is poised to fill the hunger for a diverse mermaid before the movie comes out. - Important themes of determination, friendship and inventiveness: The tale of this creative and determined mermaid is the perfect way to show kids how persistence pays off, re-emphasising those characteristics shown in Oona. - Kelly's warm and witty narrative voice and Raissa's expressive artistry make for a winning combination, as seen in Oona. - A celebration of creativity: Oona is an inventor! Little readers will enjoy pouring over the intricate details of her latest handiwork, all created from objects Oona has found discarded into the ocean. After all, it's her ingenuity that's key to her making friends with Stanley! Competition: The Little Mermaid, The Snail and the Whale, The Singing Mermaid, Julian is a Mermaid. Julia Donaldson, Kes Gray, Jessica Love.