Sandy Murphy also known as Mother, Educator, and Birdster is most happy, healthy and connected when in nature, especially with family and friends. Sandy, the sixth of ten siblings, grew up on a dairy farm along the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont climbing trees, skipping rocks, and fascinated by bugs, butterflies and birds (and still is). Join her in the Green Mountain state for a hike, snowboarding, ice skating, paddling or a mermaid swim. Most importantly, partake in protecting and restoring the health of all lakes for generations to come.

Growing up along the west coast in a commercial fishing family fostered Karen Neeson's deep connection and respect for the sea and its fragile, life-sustaining ecosystem. As a visual arts and literacy educator she's spent a lifetime nurturing children to embrace their uniqueness while encouraging earth stewardship through art, music and movement. Being a mom to her three sons has been her greatest inspiration and joy. As a self-proclaimed mermaid, she prefers to be in or on water, especially beautiful Lake Champlain.

"You'll never look at Lake Champlain the same way again!" -Bill McKibben, author, environmentalist, activist, co-founder and Senior Advisor of 350.org, an international climate campaign organization.

"This is a gift for teachers, students, families, or anyone who wants to learn more about Lake Champlain and what they can do to keep the lake swimmable, fishable and drinkable." -Julie Silverman, Lake Champlain Lakekeeper Conservation Law Foundation: Advocating for a healthy climate and resilient communities across New England.

"As a mother from Vermont, anything that brings awareness to the health and well-being of our water systems is important. There is a lot of information and beautiful eye-catching illustrations in this book. Only when we live in relationship with the Earth again can we be truly sustainable. The main character is a Ver-maid and while those do not exist in the Abenaki worldview, the fantastical elements are used as a tool to delve into the world below the water. The understanding of the “Water is Life'' movement can be something of great value to students and their communities. Step into another worldview to see the world as it was and can be again. The indigenous community, caretakers of N'dakinna, are highlighted in this book and hopefully it will spark conversation and an awareness of the indigenous population of this place. This is a fun read." -Melody Walker Brook, Citizen of the Elnu Abenaki Band, educator, artist, activist, served as chair and vice-chair of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs. She has taught courses on Native American history and culture, Abenakis and their neighbors and Native American spirituality at the university level.

"It's funny! I learned a lot of things about science and water." -Henry Kelsey, 5th grade student, skier and baseball player, Underhill, Vermont