Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love (Walker Books)

Every now and again, a book comes along which captures the sheer greatness of picture books and the unparalleled impact they can have on an audience. ‘Julian is a Mermaid’, is one of those gems.

With a sparse but unassuming narrative and rich, inky illustrations, Jessica Love has produced a truly captivating and enriching story which is bursting with empathy and compassion.

On his journey home one day, Julian spots some mermaids… or at least he thinks they’re mermaids.

He is utterly mesmerised by these joyous women and from a fleeting glance Julian returns home and his imagination transforms him into a dazzling mermaid. He styles his hair, applies make-up and creates a long mermaid tail.

But what will Nana think when she sees him?

There is a fleeting moment where the reader remains unsure and waits tentatively to see what Nana says/does, but Nana’s reaction couldn’t be more perfect.

A wonderfully uplifting read, with refreshingly rich and diverse characters, this story is the perfect book for ALL children out there.

Promoting acceptance, encouraging individuality and celebrating diversity in a whole host of ways, it’s so refreshing to see such a simple but poignant (and much-needed) story hitting our shelves shortly

This powerful but gentle read, ‘Julian is a Mermaid’ transcends gender stereotypes, body-shape ideals, ethnic background and family dynamics.

Brimming with acceptance and celebrating individuality, there’s something for everyone in this book. Published in early June, we are excited to see how this is received.

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