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rkiladitis's review against another edition
5.0
I love this gorgeously illustrated story of a little boy who embraces his inner mermaid. As Julián rides the subway home with his abuela, he spies three women, dressed and gorgeous, and pronounces them mermaids. He daydreams about his own transformation into a mermaid; shedding his tank top and shorts (he keeps his undies on); letting his hair grow wild and free, and develops a fabulous pink and yellow mermaid tail as he heads off to swim with a group of fish. When he and Abuela arrive home, he tells her that he's a mermaid, too. When she goes to take a bath, Julián transforms himself: he sheds his clothes (keeping those tidy whities on), gives himself a fierce head of hair using Abuela's fern and some flowers, gets into her makeup, and wraps a curtain tail around himself. Voila! Abuela takes one look at him, hands him a necklace, and takes her fabulous and fierce mermaid to the Mermaid Parade at Coney Island, telling him, "Like you, mijo. Let's join them." And they do, following right behind the trio of mermaids the two met earlier on the subway.
What an empowering, fantastic story. I love the New York flavor: the street scenes are pure New York, from the green subway entrances to the faces and body language of every character in this book. A group of girls plays at an open fire hydrant; a seagull hangs out on the street by an older man, sitting out on his chair, with his dog in his lap. The Mermaid Parade is full of fanfare, and the colors pulse off the page. Abuela accepts Julián and takes her grandson to be with his fellow mermaids, but most importantly, Julián accepts himself. The endpapers give us a little more of the story, too: Abuela, Julián, and four older woman enjoy themselves at the public pool; at the end, the same group are all mermaids, enjoying themselves in the sea. Put this on your Pride reading lists, and read this in your storytimes and to your kids often.
lileuw's review against another edition
2.0
Edition read: Dutch
I do not understand the hype about these books. Don't get me wrong, the art is absolutely amazing, but the story is just ... boring? There isn't really a story. Though, this might be due to translation issues, but I just don't like them. Such a shame because I really love the illustrations!
I do not understand the hype about these books. Don't get me wrong, the art is absolutely amazing, but the story is just ... boring? There isn't really a story. Though, this might be due to translation issues, but I just don't like them. Such a shame because I really love the illustrations!
whtbout2ndbrkfst's review against another edition
5.0
This book is BEAUTIFUL and I mean that in terms of both the story and the illustrations. Everyone deserves to be raised by someone as accepting and loving as Julián's abuela. Mostly told through pictures, this is a story of exploring and playing and accepting yourself and those you love.
Open to a bit of interpretation (is Julián trans, genderqueer, gender nonconforming? just likes wearing dresses? really wants to be a mermaid?) but regardless of how you read it, the message of love comes through and the illustrations really are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen in a children's book.
Open to a bit of interpretation (is Julián trans, genderqueer, gender nonconforming? just likes wearing dresses? really wants to be a mermaid?) but regardless of how you read it, the message of love comes through and the illustrations really are some of the most beautiful I've ever seen in a children's book.
elizabethkg's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best book. My daughter read it all day after we opened up the package today. The illustrations and message are love and never ending beauty.
maureen_fox's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful book. The illustrations are gorgeous. There is minimal text, leaving the reader to dive into those pictures and feel the wonder and beauty of Julian's imagination.
alandd's review against another edition
3.0
It's cute and adorable, but I feel it's was very underdeveloped. I liked the art and the concept, but the execution didn't feel that great to me. However, great in terms of representation, simplicity, and entertaining as well.
roseannmvp's review against another edition
5.0
Love the art- beautiful story- I saw the mermaids at the aquarium and I wanted to be one, too!
Love the celebration of costumes at the end!
Love the celebration of costumes at the end!
youthfromavillage's review against another edition
5.0
wow this is art. just seeing the first page, i know it’s a 5. the illustrations, the colour palette, the content, the storytelling. phenomenal. would buy