Stella & Marigold: Mermaids and Mix-Ups: Book 2

From the creators of the New York Times-bestselling Ivy + Bean comes a fun and funny new chapter book series about two small sisters with very big imaginations.

This charming and critically acclaimed early chapter book series follows the everyday adventures of siblings Stella and Marigold. In this second book, Stella and Marigold receive a purple present--a book for them to list all their friends. That's when they discover they need to make more friends!

But how? With magical recipes to make snow fall? With lots of nice Band-Aids? How about a mermaid candleholder? The two sisters are full of ideas and plans. Maybe they turn out, or maybe they don't, but one thing is for sure: By the end of this book, readers will be the best of friends with Stella and Marigold.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED: Book 1 in the series, a USA Today and National Indie bestseller, shined with critics, receiving four starred reviews!

BELOVED CHILDREN'S BOOK CREATORS: Annie Barrows is the author of The Magic Half and bestselling The Best of Iggy series. Sophie Blackall is the award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner Hello Lighthouse. Together, they are the dynamic duo behind the Ivy + Bean series.

GREAT FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of adventure, a dynamic relationship that captures an enormous range of emotions, and colorful pictures, this series is perfect for emerging readers. Humor is also one of the best enticements to get and keep kids reading. This unlikely duo will have readers LOL-ing!

STRONG RELATIONSHIP: Parents looking for a positive depiction of the ups and downs of sisterhood will love this series, but it will also resonate with fans of more general friendship duos. The series has the same familiar settings and family relationships as Ivy + Bean, with just a sprinkle of magic.

WONDERFUL GIFT: Sophie Blackall's illustrations are both gorgeous and hilarious, making this book a gift joyfully given and very happily received.

Perfect for:

• Independent readers age 6-9
• Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking entertaining elementary school chapter books
• Gift-givers looking for an early readers series for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart
• Readers who love such bestselling book series as Ivy + Bean, Junie B. Jones, Beezus and Ramona, Dory Fantasmagory, and Princess in Black

Author: Annie Barrows
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Published: 09/09/2025
Pages: 116
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.71lbs
Size: 8.23h x 6.32w x 0.57d
ISBN: 9781797219714
Audience: Ages 4-8


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/01/2025
Booklist 07/01/2025 pg. 83
School Library Journal 10/01/2025 pg. 44

About the Author
Annie Barrows is the New York Times bestselling author of many books for both children and adults, including the beloved Ivy + Bean series, which can also be seen on Netflix; The Best of Iggy series; and the adult bestselling novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. She lives in Northern California.

Sophie Blackall is an award-winning illustrator whose books are beloved around the world. Her previous books include If You Come to Earth, Ruby's Wish, and the Ivy + Bean series, as well as Hello Lighthouse and Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear, both of which were awarded the Caldecott Medal. She lives in New York.