Julián Is a Mermaid

Let me start off by saying that this is a gorgeous book. The illustrations are just magical and very well done. I also really appreciate the representation in the book. You see various skin tones, hair types, and body types! Its also great to NOT see a story where the child only comes to accept themselves AFTER being bullied. This book is pure celebration. Julian is living his best life as is, and thats what kids need to see. Representation doesnt also need to include the child being torn down/bullied. I also appreciate that this book wasnt too long winded. I can get through this with a squirmy 4-5 yr old no problem. I would recommend this book for a preschooler or kindergartener.

As other reviewers have noted, this is one of the few books about boys who go against masculine norms that doesn't spend most of the pages focused on people who oppose or downright bully the boy for his preferences. In fact, there is no time spent on negative feedback. Instead, the boy stays true to himself, shows resourcefulness and creativity and authenticity, and his abuela recognizes it and immediately becomes his ally. It's a beautiful story and the art is mesmerizing. We love and will cherish this book.

We have found mostly gender non-conforming books where GNC children experience some prejudice and overcome it. I see a place for those books. I also think that sometimes it is important to be able to just shine. This is the book for that.

This is a gorgeously illustrated picture book with a fantastic, simple story. Julian is a boy who wishes to be a beautiful, flowy-haired, swishy-tailed mermaid. His abuela helps him realize his dream. The end. Adults will recognize that, although Abuela might want to scold Julian for kinda-sorta destroying the house in his quest to become a sea creature, she perhaps recognizes that now is not the moment to chide, but rather to show him her unconditional love and support. I appreciated that nobody in this book tells Julian he can't be a mermaid. So many books about gender-nonconforming children spend too much time focusing on the naysayers. Well, this book is all about Julian and his fabulousness. My 3.5yo son and I both enjoyed reading this book multiple times already, and it's been here for less than 12 hours! Highly recommend.

I love this book. I only wish it had been available years ago when my son was in full dress up as Elsa mode. There is so much emphasis on hyper femininity with isles of pink and masculinity it is so nice to see a realistic depiction of people. Boys can and do like beautiful things. I definitely recommend this book- most especially to families with children who don't fit a rigid gender expectation. As and artist myself, I just love the illustrations. They are beautiful.

I read all books before I purchase them to read to my children. While the art work in this book is beautiful, however for my family the message this book is giving does not line up with how I want my Black son raised. The book made me uncomfortable as a parent it feels like it’s pushing a homosexual agenda to young children and that’s not right. The author of the book is a white female, so why did she have to use black/brown people in her book to relay her message to? She could have used her own race. It’s already hard to find positive self imaging books for young Black boys. I don’t want my son to ever think it’s okay for him to wear lipstick and dress up like a female. He was born a male and he will be raised by his father and myself to be a man.

This book is what I consider one of the perfect picture books! Beautifully written and equally beautifully illustrated. The story is heartwarming and has just the right tone for the story line. I write and illustrate children's books and I consider this one of the BEST picture books ever published!

There is a moment of uncertainty - when Julian has been thoroughly swept up into his vision of himself as a mermaid and, for a second, his abuela seems disapproving - but then we realize it is not disapproval of Julian's vision, but his abuela's realization that she can improve his vision by adding a beautiful element ito his costume before leading him out to join in the mermaid parade...the illustrations are gorgeous and the story is one of true love, acceptance and understanding.

It's a 4-star book for me book, but this edition loses another star because it has stripped out the Hispanic elements of the original. Julián is now Julian, his abuela is his Nana, and 'mijo' has turned into 'honey'. For a book that celebrates diversity, this erasure of Hispanic culture and language is pretty disappointing!

Where to begin?? This is an absolute joy from start to finish, from the minimalist text to the fantastic facial expressions of both Julian and his Nana, every page is a feast. The story is incredibly visual which will enable even the youngest of children to enjoy it, and would be a wonderful prompt for pictures of your or your child's own. Best of all, for me, it took me back to those heady days when my child was small and not concerned whether their playthings were for girls or boys, and just played how they wanted. Nana is the parental figure we all need in our lives... calm, accepting, enabling and Julian is completely and totally a mermaid - perfect!

Was recommended this book for my daughter age 7, but we both didn’t enjoy it at all.

From a supportive Nana to a creative Child who is allowed to be himself, the illustrations are stunning and truly allows for the child reading's imagination to follow along with Julian's journey. We love that Julian is a mermaid and our daughter often plays with her sheets in the same way, and knows that all children are allowed to dream and play and be themselves. Highly recommend for every household.

Beautiful book. Lovely illustrations. So glad to have this in our collection means alot to see a childs gender fluidity being accepted without question. Also beautiful to see the culture shine through. I would give 10 stars if i could