The queer children’s book “Julian is a Mermaid” is out now in Bulgarian

“Julian is a Mermaid”, the debut book by American writer and illustrator Jessica Love, is released today on the Bulgarian market, published by GLAS Foundation.

One day, little Julian sees several mermaids on the subway. Inspired by them, he creates a costume at home with materials that look like theirs. When his grandmother sees it, she doesn’t scold him, but supports him – but Julian’s bigger surprise is yet to come. The book is about a boy and his grandmother, but it’s also a story about how we look in the eyes of the people who love us.

Julian has been translated into 15 languages, including Korean, Chinese, Finnish and Catalan. The book has received great critical acclaim for its emotional depth and the author’s artistic decision to mix watercolors, gouache and ink in the illustrations. “Julian is a Mermaid has won a series of awards, including the 2018 Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Stonewall Book Award, and was on New York Magazine’s Best Children’s Books list. Critics have also described the book as one of the most progressive illustrated books in the last decade, bringing together themes of tolerance for LGBTI people, gender identity, with black and Latino characters that are often missing from children’s publishing.

Author Jessica Love grew up in California, in a family of artistic parents. Before writing the book, she worked as an actress in New York City. Jessica spent five years creating Julian.

The book is distributed free of charge starting today, through the GLAS Foundation website, with only the courier service charge. You can order your copy at this link – https://glasfoundation.bg/product/yulian-e-rusalka-book-orders-glas-foundation/