Reviews

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

notblue's review against another edition

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5.0

Read it last year sometime. Thought it would be a nice addition to my list this year. Beautiful story with beautiful art!

5/5

ayami's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful picture book for kids. Loved it!

alexandrabree's review against another edition

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2.0

This is a cute book and the art is beautiful

Julian and his Abdula are a sweet message of love an acceptance

But drag is for adults or at least it was until 5 seconds ago, and it's always been sexual and sexualized, drag is for nightclub acts.

I know it seems stuffy but I think it's bad safeguarding to blur so many boundries between adult and kid activities.

And the kid was in his underwear too often it, unnecessarily (not that there is ever any reason ever. for a childrens book to have nude or mostly nude bodies). I don't think it was intentionally odd but again, normalizing poor safeguarding practices, nude or partially nude portrayals of children are a firm no.

bemoregarnet's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

charleshasalibrary's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

nikshelby's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautiful. The story and the art.

It was written for children, and is aimed at younger children than my own. Without a recommendation I probably would not have discovered it on my own.

I found it because of a recommendation from BookRiot, categorized under books that won awards for diversity. It won the Stonewall Book Award, an award given to books for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.

Lovely little tale.

readingjag's review against another edition

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5.0

My son knows what it’s like to feel different, so I appreciate stories that encourage kids to support and celebrate differences. To me this is a book about giving children the gift of supporting them, whoever they are, even if they’re not doing what society expects. A book about finding your kid their people, their community, and making sure they know that you and that community will help them. And the art is gorgeous.

meg_thebrave's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ironicallylovely's review against another edition

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informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a damn gift. POC, LGBTQ+, supportive figure who isn't the conventional mom or dad. I love this so much I can hardly put it into words.