Julián Is a Mermaid
With only eighty-seven words, the illustrations do the heavy lifting here. Julián's journey of self-expression through a homemade mermaid tail is met with a powerful, silent acceptance from his abuela that says everything without needing a long explanation.
Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love is estimated to take about 3 minutes to read aloud (87 words, about 1 sentence a page), and it lands best with children aged 3-6.
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- Estimated read-aloud time
- about 3 minutesEstimated read-aloud time
- Word count
- 87Counted words
- Sentences per page
- 1Sentence per page
- Re-read tolerance
- 4/5repeat friendly
- Vocabulary level
- 2/5everyday words
- Best for
- Ages 3-6Our editorial fit
Our review
This book relies on silence and visual storytelling rather than heavy text. Because there is so little dialogue, the focus stays entirely on the characters' expressions and the colorful, imaginative world they inhabit.
It’s a beautiful choice for moments when you want to discuss acceptance or identity. The sparse text means there is nothing to argue with, only a beautiful face to read.
Themes
- imagination
- grandmothers
- dressing up
- acceptance
- mermaids
Books like Julián Is a Mermaid
Matched by refrain, density, length, and listener—not just the subject.
Questions parents ask
How long does it take to read Julián Is a Mermaid aloud?
About 3 minutes at an unhurried pace, including a standard allowance for page turns, pictures and participation, from a word count of 87. Stopping for a longer conversation on every page will add more time.
What age is Julián Is a Mermaid actually for?
Ages 3-6 in our testing, which is narrower than the publisher's range. With 1 sentence a page and vocabulary at 2 out of 5, it asks for that much attention span and no more.
Does Julián Is a Mermaid survive being read on repeat?
Yes. It survives a fortnight of nightly repeats, which is the real test.
Is Julián Is a Mermaid a good book for a child who will not sit still?
It helps that it asks the child questions to answer out loud. Those three features are what keep a wriggling toddler listening, far more than the subject matter does.
Will my child memorise Julián Is a Mermaid?
It can. It scores 4 out of 5 with us for holding up to repeat reading, and children tend to learn by heart the books they ask for most, even without a strong refrain.
Can a beginning reader read Julián Is a Mermaid on their own?
It is closer than most picture books. With 1 sentence a page and plain vocabulary (2 out of 5), a confident early reader can attempt it, though it is written to be read aloud first.
What themes does Julián Is a Mermaid cover?
We tag it with imagination, grandmothers, dressing up, acceptance and mermaids. Those are the threads that actually run through the book, not just the ones on the cover, which is how it earns its place on our themed lists rather than a keyword match.
