![]() What follows is a beautifully illustrated moment of creative energy – Julian pulls together a mermaid outfit from the flamboyantly curling fronds of a fern plant mixed with bright flowers, a lace curtain and some lipstick. She goes off to bath telling him to be good. When he gets home with his Nana he tells her “Nana, I am also a mermaid.” It is like he has deeply recognized something about himself. Gorgeous illustrations show the transformation as he sheds his clothes and spins and twirls underwater as he bubbles with the freedom of being a brilliant vision of himself. As the train rides he reads his book and drifts off into a brightly coloured daydream that he too is a mermaid. Their exuberance, self confidence and joyful power fill the carriage and Julian’s imagination is piqued. On the train home one day with his Nana (grandmother), Julian sees three woman dressed up in dazzling mermaid costumes. Julian is a Mermaid is a beautiful and powerful book about finding the safe space to joyfully and jubilantly be yourself. ![]() Written and illustrated by Jessica Love (Walker Books) ![]()
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