Whether male or female, virtuous or amoral, mythical Mer creatures often reflect humankind's feelings about nature--familiar and alien. Tales of The Mer Family Onyx explores the worlds of Mer, through the magical household of Neptune and Glendora, stewards of the seas. Like L. Frank Baum's Oz and E. Nesbit's Five Children and It, this "family book" is for adults and mixed age groups of children, like toddler Ruby, tween boy-girl twins, Bowrain and Rainbow, teen beauties, Emerald and Sapphire and Pinky Onyx of the race of mini mermaids. When Neptune challenges his children, they are pushed beyond their limits and intrigued by worlds undersea, out of time and on land, where an earth boy at the Coney Island Mermaid Parade has a dream come true. While Glendora's magical basin facilitates travel between time and worlds, the more profound magic for readers and listeners may be recognition, discovery, joy and a good night's sleep.