Books › Julian is a mermaid
Julian is a mermaid
40 pages
A sun-drenched, tender celebration of being seen, loved, and celebrated exactly as you are.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a sun-warmed, daydreamy afternoon where imagination spills effortlessly into reality. The pacing is leisurely and deliberate, relying on sparse, lyrical text that allows the lush, vibrant illustrations to carry the emotional weight of the story. It creates an atmosphere of quiet wonder that builds into a radiant, exuberant celebration. There is a palpable heartbeat of tenderness here, capturing the delicate vulnerability of a child expressing their truest self and the profound relief of being met with unconditional love. It is a deeply affirming experience, perfect for readers of all ages who cherish stories about gender expansiveness, intergenerational connection, and the pure, unadulterated joy of finding your flock and letting your inner magic shine.
- Mood
- sun-drenched
- dreamy
- exuberant
- warm
- Tone
- tender
- affirming
- joyful
- gentle
- Pace
- leisurely
- Themes
- unconditional love · self-expression · gender fluidity · intergenerational connection · childhood imagination
- The writing
- Sparse, lyrical, and deeply intentional, leaving ample room for the visual storytelling to carry the emotional weight.
- The arc
- Moves from quiet longing and a moment of nervous vulnerability to radiant, unconditional acceptance and shared joy.
- Who it's for
- Anyone seeking a tender, visually stunning celebration of childhood imagination and unconditional family love.
About the book
While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Juli n notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. When Juli n gets home, daydreaming of the magic he s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress.
Description from Open Library.
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