Julián is a Mermaid

Julián and his abuela (grandma) were coming home from the pool, when they spotted three magnificient mermaids on the train.

The three women were dressed in an array of colors, with fishtails at the end of their outfits and makeup that shined like pearls. Julián was captivated by these mermaids, and dreamed of becoming one himself! His vibrant imagination carried him out of the train car and into the open sea, swimming around with other creatures while sporting his very own purple scaled tail.

When Julián and his abuela get off the train, he asked her about the mermaids, and if she saw them too. He couldn't shake off the idea of becoming one on his own, and pictured their beauty all throughout the walk back. The minute they arrived at home, Julián constructed a plan to dress up just like the women he saw. He took leaves and flowers from his abuela's potted plants, along with white billowy curtains hanging over the window, to make a fabulous costume!

Julián finished his look, yet became worried when his abuela found him after the mess he had created. Instead of becoming angry, his abuela gave him a necklace to complete the mermaid outfit. She looked down on him with pride, and led him outside to a special event nearby. This reaction made Julián incredibly excited, and he felt welcomed when he saw many others dressed up just like him. The local festival was filled with mermaids and costumes of sea creatures, with colorful makeup looks and gleaming jewels. This made Julián feel at home, and he spent the rest of the day enjoying the event with his abuela.

Julián's desire to become a mermaid is an exuberant expression of self-love that diverts away from societal expectations. Jessica Love's book is a wholesome depiction of gender non-conformity, and it shows how young people can aspire to represent their true selves by any means!

Growing up as a brown Mexican child, I didn't see books that allowed us to express our full selves, or diverge out of traditional gender norms. I didn't get to see girls in stories embracing hobbies like science, or even playing with construction toys that were marketed for boys. I felt that being a little girl had to fit one cookie cutter idea, yet this is simply not true! Children can enjoy both the feminine and masculine parts of themselves, and I would have loved to have this confirmation when I was little.

Another aspect of this book, something in which I absolutely loved, was the cultural roots playing a part in the exploration of identity. Seeing spanish terms used, along with his abuela's accepting attitude, was heartwarming to witness. Having a book that shows a Latinx family being accepting, encouraging, and helping youth along the journey of individuality is so important for many people to see.

The "machismo" or "manly" expectations for sons in many Latinx households can be difficult on those who feel they are actually non-binary. Similarly, it can be damaging for men who take comfort in being feminine yet feel they have to constrict themselves in order to maintain being a "true man." For the future generations of all Black and Brown Latinx folks, having stories like Julián is a Mermaid can be incredibly influential for those struggling to come to terms with who they are. Overall, it can serve as a way of teaching our children that the way they express themselves is loved and cherished.

One day, I hope I can share this bedtime story with my own family or friends to break the embedded cycles of toxic gender roles.