The star of Julián Is a Mermaid makes a joyful return—and finds a new friend—at a wedding to be remembered. Julián and his abuela are going to a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding. Weddings have flowers and kissing and dancing and cake. And this wedding also has a new friend named Marisol. It’s not long before Julián and Marisol set off for some magic and mischief of their own, and when things take an unexpected turn, the pair learns that everything is easier with a good friend by your side. Jessica Love returns with a joyful story of friendship and individuality in this radiant follow-up to
Julián Is a Mermaid.
Jessica Love is an actor and the author-illustrator of
Julián Is a Mermaid. She has a BA in studio art from the University of California, Santa Cruz, as well as a graduate degree from Juilliard. She has appeared in plays both on and off Broadway. Jessica Love lives in Brooklyn.
A celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive. Lovely.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Artwork on brown paper allows warm, clear views of the characters, who appear to be Black and Afro-Latinx. The specificity of Love’s characterizations—the way the abuelas kick off their high heels, the brides’ enthusiasm, the children’s expansive gender expressions—offers vibrancy and immediacy, and under their community’s watchful eyes, Julián and Marisol find affection, acceptance, and room to grow.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Once again Love has brought us young characters who are free to live, play, and express themselves however they wish without conflict. An abundance of joy and love.
—The Horn Book (starred review)
This is a work similar to its predecessor, featuring joyful exploration of gender presentation without any trauma or real conflict. The art, again set on soft brown paper, bursts with dappled color, busy with fluttering fall leaves and flower petals. The intimate details in posture and expression make Love’s illustrations deeply striking...
—Booklist
