Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

 Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. Candlewick Press, 2018. Children's picture book.

When Julian and his abuelita come home from their weekly swim, they see several people on the subway. These beautiful people have foofy hair, long dresses, jewelry and Julian delights in that he thinks they are mermaids. While Abuelita takes a bath, Julian finds his own mermaid costume. What a surprise when Abuelita sees him!  But, like the loving grandmother that she is, she gives him a necklace and takes him to the beach to participate in the mermaid parade where he can be as confident as any of the mermaids.

In this, her author-illustrator debut, Jessica Love shines a spotlight on the loving relationship of a small boy and his grandmother. The illustrations are lovely, even the endpapers with the diversely sized women in their swimsuits at the beginning and then, as mermaids, at the end. The story will start conversations among children and among adults and provide much to think about, wherever you live. It is a celebration of being yourself.