KCU Pitchfest Showcase 2025 (Top 50)

The Little Lighthouse Keeper

A crossover of Rapunzel and The Little Mermaid where instead of a girl being locked away in a tower, the protagonist Mariana is a mermaid trapped in a lighthouse.
Being the daughter of the Pirate King sounds like a life full of adventure—if you weren"#039;t forced to work as a lighthouse keeper on a deserted island all by yourself! Mariana dreams of reuniting her father at sea, but her fear of the ocean keeps her firmly at bay. Her world is turned upside down when Odin, an old fisherman, washes up on her island. Desperate to find her father, Odin agrees to help Mariana—but only if she helps him build a boat to get home. Together, they set sail in search of the Pirate King! Along the way, they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever.

My Why:

Inspired by my experiences working with children, this book aims to inspire young readers to find the courage to be brave in the face of adversity.
Mariana bottles up her anxiety, believing she must put on a brave face to earn her father’s love. But Odin cares for Mariana—the real Mariana. She needs someone like Odin: a man who, though overly dramatic, wears his heart on his sleeve. His unconditional love inspires anxious Mariana to embrace her true self.
The Little Lighthouse Keeper encourages young readers to explore who they are and what they want, even when they’re afraid to express it. I want children to understand that the bravest people are those who tremble as they move forward—because, despite their fear, they keep going.