A glimpse of three women dressed as mermaids leaves one boy filled with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.

"Every choice Jessica Love makes imbues the story with charm, tenderness and humor" New York TImes Book Review

While riding the subway home with his Nana one day, Julian notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train carriage. When Julian gets home, daydreaming of the magic he's seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies and making his own fabulous mermaid costume. But what will Nana think about the mess he makes - and even more importantly - what will she think about how Julian sees himself?

About the Author
Jessica Love is an illustrator and Broadway actress. She has a BA in studio art from the University of California, as well as a graduate degree from Juilliard. Julian Is A Mermaid is her first picture book. Find her online at jessicalove.org/art.

Reviews
A vibrant, witty celebration of tolerance. * BBC Culture *
"celebratory and ground-breaking" * The Sunday Times Culture/The Sunday Times Ireland *
"The stand-out title this month is a picture book, Julian Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. [...] In the bravura feat of understated storytelling, the richness of Julian's free-floating imagination is caught in images layered with colour, movement, muscle and life, celebrating black and Latino experience. Julian invents a tail and flowing hair, and Nana's acceptance, as she accompanies him on a wild parade of mermaids, will leave the reader filler with joy." * The Guardian *
This is Jessica Love's debut picture book, and every choice she makes - the spare text, a color palette both muted and lively, full-bleed pages that make even subway cars and apartment rooms feel as expansive as the ocean - imbues the story with charm, tenderness and humor...Alongside Julian, readers learn that anyone can be a mermaid: All it takes is love and acceptance, a little imagination and a big swishy tail. * The New York Times Book Review *
Beautiful [...] Magnificent [...] Lovely [...] Magical [...] Gorgeous * RuPaul of RuPaul's Drag Race *


Awards
Winner of BolognaRagazzi Award 2019 (Italy) and Klaus Flugge Prize 2019 (UK) and PPC Best Children's Campaign 2019 (UK) and Teach Primary 2019 (UK). Short-listed for Books Are My Bag Readers Awards 2019 (UK) and Kate Greenaway Medal (CILIP) 2019 (UK) and UKLA Book Award 2020 (UK) and Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2019 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781406386424
Author Jessica Love
Format Paperback
Page Count 40
Imprint Walker Books Ltd
Publisher Walker Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 200g
Dimensions(mm) 230mm * 252mm * 4mm