Feel Free to Dazzle! Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

May 17, 2018
goodreadswithronna
Accepting Differences, Ages 4-8, Appreciating Differences, Being true to yourself, Children's Book Reviews, Clothing & Dress, Emotions & Feelings, Family & Relationships, Grandparent - Grandmother, Hispanic American Interest, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction, LGBTQ, Mermaids, Multigenerational, Mythology & Mythological Characters, Non-religious, Tolerance

JULIÁN IS A MERMAID
Written and illustrated by Jessica Love
(Candlewick Press; $16.99, Ages 4-8)

Julián is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love, is a brilliant debut picture book. As Julián and his abuela leave the public pool, they share the subway ride with some women dressed as mermaids. Julián loves mermaids and feels he is one too. He demonstrates this while his abuela’s away taking a bath. At the crucial moment of discovery, Abuela encourages Julián and takes him to his tribe: a gathering of likeminded people.

Interior artwork from Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love — JULIAN IS A MERMAID. Copyright © 2018 by Jessica Love. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.

Jessica Love’s beautiful sentiment is echoed in her vibrant, festive art done by hand with ink, gouache, and watercolor on brown paper. Richly rendered, expressive characters stand out against muted backgrounds. This 40-page picture book gently shows how easy it can be to accept others. Potentially contentious moments are, instead, depicted with understanding.

Interior spread from Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love — JULIAN IS A MERMAID. Copyright © 2018 by Jessica Love. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Somerville, MA.

Using words sparingly, Julián is a Mermaid captures the colorful expansiveness of our imaginations when given free rein.

★Starred reviews – Horn Book, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal

About the author: Jessica Love is an illustrator and Broadway actress. She has a BA in studio art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as a graduate degree from Juilliard. She lives in New York.

• Reviewed by Christine Van Zandt

Writer, editor, and owner of Write for Success www.Write-for-Success.com

@WFSediting,Christine@Write-for-Success.com