PORTLAND – A tiny, wily fish uses ingenuity to ward off danger, a poetic mouse makes art of everyday life and a proud inchworm sizes up everything he sees. All this will happen when Mermaid Theatre presents its puppet theater adaptation of writer-illustrator Leo Lionni’s beloved children’s tales Saturday, Dec. 8, in the South Portland High School Auditorium.

PCA Great Performances will present the celebrated children’s theater ensemble from Nova Scotia in two family matinee performances of Lionni’s “Swimmy • Frederick • Inch by Inch” at 2 and 4 p.m.

Drawing on Lionni’s beguiling Caldecott Honor-winning books for children, Mermaid uses its signature, innovative puppetry style, imaginative lighting, original music and bold, colorful sets to charm children and families alike. Organizers of the widely hailed Flint Hills International Children’s Festival say the Mermaid production of “Swimmy • Frederick • Inch by Inch” is “a hit with every single audience member. Gorgeous and gentle, so very lyrical and fun – and so respectful of the spirit of the books. Outstanding!”

“Swimmy • Frederick • Inch by Inch” is geared for children ages 3 to 7.

Tickets, $10, are available through PortTix, the box office at Merrill Auditorium, by calling 842-0800 and online at www.pcagreatperformances.org. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door on the day of the performances, although this is dependent on advance ticket sales and cannot be guaranteed.