The picture book is based on Hans Christian Andersen's story: The Little Mermaid. But not like Disney one who had a happy ending, or a simplified one who was crazy for love, this version of the little mermaid was trying to achieve her dream—to have an everlasting soul like all humans do. Although she didn't get to marry the prince, she still had the chance to create her own soul after she failed to stay as a human.
The white space in the illustrations is for the text.