What do you think?
Rate this book
Julián #2
Julián at the Wedding
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Picture Books (2020)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 attending a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding along with his cousin Marisol. When wedding duties are fulfilled and with a new dog friend in tow, the pair takes off to roam the venue, exploring everywhere from underneath tables to enchanting willow trees to . . . muddy puddles? After all, it wouldn't be a wedding without fun, laughter, and a little magical mischief. With ingenuity and heart, author-illustrator Jessica Love tells a charming story of friendship, acceptance, and celebration.
Julián and his abuela are attending a wedding. Better yet, Julián is in the wedding along with his cousin Marisol. When wedding duties are fulfilled and with a new dog friend in tow, the pair takes off to roam the venue, exploring everywhere from underneath tables to enchanting willow trees to . . . muddy puddles? After all, it wouldn't be a wedding without fun, laughter, and a little magical mischief. With ingenuity and heart, author-illustrator Jessica Love tells a charming story of friendship, acceptance, and celebration.
34 pages, Hardcover
First published October 6, 2020
2 people are currently reading
3744 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Love
7 books211 followersJessica 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews
October 3, 2020
Gender-defying excellence. Queer perfection. This book is pure joy.
July 1, 2021
A follow-up to the adventures of Julian discovering mermaids, this suffers in comparison.
I continue to love Love's artistic sensibilities, but almost none of the pictures felt as vibrant or as unusual as in the the mermaid story where there were a variety of people, dresses and fantasies. I also remain somewhat confused by the choice of background page color, as it seems a little too dark to let Love's color choices pop into something really eye-catching. Perhaps she was thinking of white wedding and contrast, but blues and greens have trouble standing out, a problem when some of the scenes are beneath a weeping willow.
The story is minimalist--Julian and friend are the flower children at a female couple's wedding then go to play after--but perhaps the value is in normalizing those occasions.
While Julián Is a Mermaid (a great drag queen band name, btw) was a fun book that I added to my own library, this is one didn't spur the same atavistic desire I felt reading the first, either beauty or story.
I continue to love Love's artistic sensibilities, but almost none of the pictures felt as vibrant or as unusual as in the the mermaid story where there were a variety of people, dresses and fantasies. I also remain somewhat confused by the choice of background page color, as it seems a little too dark to let Love's color choices pop into something really eye-catching. Perhaps she was thinking of white wedding and contrast, but blues and greens have trouble standing out, a problem when some of the scenes are beneath a weeping willow.
The story is minimalist--Julian and friend are the flower children at a female couple's wedding then go to play after--but perhaps the value is in normalizing those occasions.
While Julián Is a Mermaid (a great drag queen band name, btw) was a fun book that I added to my own library, this is one didn't spur the same atavistic desire I felt reading the first, either beauty or story.
February 4, 2021
Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books. Julian at the Wedding is book #7 (of 20) of 2020. it's a sequel to a book we loved last year, Julian is a Mermaid. (After having read 7 of the 20 books so far, this is our favorite so far).
Hank (14): 3 stars. Too short but otherwise good.
Harry (15): 4 stars. The only picture book I have read so far that is actually for kids! It's colorful!
Tara: 4 stars. This was sweet. And the illustrations are pretty.
Dave: 4 stars. What stands out here is the question quality of the hand-drawn and brightly colored artwork from Jessica Love. Like drawing and painting on paper bags or cardboard, has a little of that diy feel. The story is maybe a little thin, not much happens, but there are wonderful portraits of lively, interesting women in this book. I like the friendship between Julian and Marisol and their going off to have their own joyful celebration where they, in a moment of magical realism, sprout wings. I like all the wordless, joyful pages, too.
Hank (14): 3 stars. Too short but otherwise good.
Harry (15): 4 stars. The only picture book I have read so far that is actually for kids! It's colorful!
Tara: 4 stars. This was sweet. And the illustrations are pretty.
Dave: 4 stars. What stands out here is the question quality of the hand-drawn and brightly colored artwork from Jessica Love. Like drawing and painting on paper bags or cardboard, has a little of that diy feel. The story is maybe a little thin, not much happens, but there are wonderful portraits of lively, interesting women in this book. I like the friendship between Julian and Marisol and their going off to have their own joyful celebration where they, in a moment of magical realism, sprout wings. I like all the wordless, joyful pages, too.
October 14, 2020
I received this book as a giveaway. It is absolutely stunning! The graphics are beautiful and enchanting. She captured the essence of a magical wedding in a visceral way. My favorite quote is “A wedding is a party for love.” We need more books like this that represent diverse families and reinforce that love is love. Gorgeous!!!
January 5, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Julian is back in the second book in his series, the first ‘Julian is a Mermaid‘ I reviewed in June 2018 and was about Julian realising how bright and colourful women’s outfits were and wanting to dress up in a billowing outfit that made him look like a mermaid.
In this story, Julian and his friend Marisol are off to a wedding with their grandparents. After the ceremony, the friends rush off to play, together with the bride’s dog. It isn’t long though before Marisol is covered in dirty all over her pretty peach dress, so Julian offers his shirt for her to wear as a dress.
As with the first book the text is very minimal, just a few words on each double-page. The artwork is lovely and has a pastel look to it, I think the illustrations tell more of the story than the words.
The outfits that the characters wear are truly amazing. I especially love Julian’s shorts suit in lilac. I also love how the story shows two women getting married, this isn’t something you normally see in children’s picture books. Making children understand from a young age that everyone is free to love whoever they like regardless of gender will hopefully make them more accepting as they grow.
Overall, the book is a quick, beautiful read. I still prefer the first book but I did enjoy this one too.
Julian is back in the second book in his series, the first ‘Julian is a Mermaid‘ I reviewed in June 2018 and was about Julian realising how bright and colourful women’s outfits were and wanting to dress up in a billowing outfit that made him look like a mermaid.
In this story, Julian and his friend Marisol are off to a wedding with their grandparents. After the ceremony, the friends rush off to play, together with the bride’s dog. It isn’t long though before Marisol is covered in dirty all over her pretty peach dress, so Julian offers his shirt for her to wear as a dress.
As with the first book the text is very minimal, just a few words on each double-page. The artwork is lovely and has a pastel look to it, I think the illustrations tell more of the story than the words.
The outfits that the characters wear are truly amazing. I especially love Julian’s shorts suit in lilac. I also love how the story shows two women getting married, this isn’t something you normally see in children’s picture books. Making children understand from a young age that everyone is free to love whoever they like regardless of gender will hopefully make them more accepting as they grow.
Overall, the book is a quick, beautiful read. I still prefer the first book but I did enjoy this one too.
December 29, 2020
This book was really cute. There were barely any words and mostly pictures. It would be good to read with kids and talk about what it looks like is happening in the book.
Also, this book is lgbt friendly.
Also, this book is lgbt friendly.
November 15, 2020
Annual Goodreads Choice Awards reading project: Read all the Picture Book nominees! (13 of 15)
I didn't realize until I'd finished that this book was a sequel to one I had not read. Maybe that was why I had no idea who all these people were or how they related to each other (beyond Julian having a grandmother). There was a gay wedding and children who were gender nonconforming, which was all very nice, but the story seemed like a barely there, mostly wordless vignette.
The art was mostly fine but the characters's bodies were weirdly disproportional, evoking troll dolls in my mind.
I didn't realize until I'd finished that this book was a sequel to one I had not read. Maybe that was why I had no idea who all these people were or how they related to each other (beyond Julian having a grandmother). There was a gay wedding and children who were gender nonconforming, which was all very nice, but the story seemed like a barely there, mostly wordless vignette.
The art was mostly fine but the characters's bodies were weirdly disproportional, evoking troll dolls in my mind.
January 9, 2021
Things to know:
1. When I read Julian is a Mermaid I fell in love with the illustrations and story about being who you are, especially through the lenses of gender and sexuality.
2. Then I read criticism from individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, especially BIPOC. Many condemned the book as the author-illustrator is a white cisgender woman who created a book about an Afro-Latinx MC gender nonconforming child. While the book is beautifully illustrated and the representation is vital, this is not the author’s story to tell. She embodies none of these identities, but gets the published platform and accolades for creating this book, which is peak white privilege.
3. Because this story is told through a white gaze, the actual living folx who live experiences like Julian are kept from the spaces where they can tell their stories, be published and financially compensated, and be visible and empowered. Once again, whiteness erases the “other” while simultaneously patting itself on the back for its “bravery” to publish “so much diversity”. Whiteness is made comfortable by silencing those who actually have stories to tell.
4. After criticism, this sequel was still published, all involved doubling down on the harm.
5. Beyond this, the characters in the sequel became caricatures, the story was virtually nonexistent, and the message was muddied.
6. Bottom line: Those who created and capitalized off of Julian do so with a stolen story. Seek out #OwnVoices to share these personal stories.
1. When I read Julian is a Mermaid I fell in love with the illustrations and story about being who you are, especially through the lenses of gender and sexuality.
2. Then I read criticism from individuals who identify as LGBTQ+, especially BIPOC. Many condemned the book as the author-illustrator is a white cisgender woman who created a book about an Afro-Latinx MC gender nonconforming child. While the book is beautifully illustrated and the representation is vital, this is not the author’s story to tell. She embodies none of these identities, but gets the published platform and accolades for creating this book, which is peak white privilege.
3. Because this story is told through a white gaze, the actual living folx who live experiences like Julian are kept from the spaces where they can tell their stories, be published and financially compensated, and be visible and empowered. Once again, whiteness erases the “other” while simultaneously patting itself on the back for its “bravery” to publish “so much diversity”. Whiteness is made comfortable by silencing those who actually have stories to tell.
4. After criticism, this sequel was still published, all involved doubling down on the harm.
5. Beyond this, the characters in the sequel became caricatures, the story was virtually nonexistent, and the message was muddied.
6. Bottom line: Those who created and capitalized off of Julian do so with a stolen story. Seek out #OwnVoices to share these personal stories.
November 2, 2020
The further adventures of Julián, the little boy who wants to be a mermaid. This time, Julián and his abuela are at a wedding where he meets Marisol, who ruins her pretty dress playing with the bride’s dog. Julián has an idea to swap the dirty dress for a more fanciful outfit with fairy wings. Love reigns! Another beautiful story with gorgeous illustrations.
June 26, 2021
What a fantastic, diverse, gender-nonconforming picture book!! <3
December 16, 2020
I loved Julián Is a Mermaid and this picture book while lovely, is not quite as good. I really like the illustration style, and the diversity on the page. The wordless sections are joyful, and just when you expect things to go wrong, kindness and gentleness take center stage. This is a wonderful picture book for all ages.
December 1, 2020
I really liked the first book and I adore Love's illustrations, but... you need a story, too, you know?
March 3, 2021
Mermaid-loving Julián and his grandmother return in this follow-up to their initial adventure, chronicled in author/illustrator Jessica Love's debut picture-book,
Julián Is a Mermaid
. This time they are attending a wedding, one in which Julián will be the ring-bearer, and his new friend Marisol the flower girl. After performing their duty to the two brides, the children sneak away from the wedding dinner to play, having a wonderful game of make-believe, after Marisol dirties her dress. But will their abuelas understand, when they come to get them...?
Much as with the first book, I found the artwork in Julián at the Wedding absolutely stunning! Once again, the pages are a brown, sepia tone, boasting vibrantly colorful watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations that really jump out at the reader. I love everything about this artwork, from the pages themselves to the color palette used, to the delightfully expressive human figures throughout, and the somewhat quirky and individual styles of the two abuelas. The story is sweet, featuring a same-sex wedding, a close-knit family and community group, and two children who are allowed to play and explore. I didn't find this one quite as engaging as the first, probably because it lacked the suspense - would abuela accept Julián for who he is? - but it was still engaging, and the artwork just as breathtaking. If half stars were available, I would give this a 3.5, since I didn't find it quite the equal of the first, but given my love for the artwork, I've bumped it up to four stars. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed the first picture-book about Julián.
Much as with the first book, I found the artwork in Julián at the Wedding absolutely stunning! Once again, the pages are a brown, sepia tone, boasting vibrantly colorful watercolor, gouache and ink illustrations that really jump out at the reader. I love everything about this artwork, from the pages themselves to the color palette used, to the delightfully expressive human figures throughout, and the somewhat quirky and individual styles of the two abuelas. The story is sweet, featuring a same-sex wedding, a close-knit family and community group, and two children who are allowed to play and explore. I didn't find this one quite as engaging as the first, probably because it lacked the suspense - would abuela accept Julián for who he is? - but it was still engaging, and the artwork just as breathtaking. If half stars were available, I would give this a 3.5, since I didn't find it quite the equal of the first, but given my love for the artwork, I've bumped it up to four stars. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed the first picture-book about Julián.
November 6, 2020
Gorgeous follow-up to Jessica's first book about Julian, Julian is a Mermaid. This time Julian goes to a wedding, finds a friend, and discovers magic in nature. Sweet, simple story with stunning illustrations. This one's all that and more.
December 17, 2020
I enjoyed the first Julian book, but this one is another level! The art is exquisite and the message is on point once again. So glad we have these available for our library users.
November 11, 2020
Julián and his grandmother go to a wedding, and he plays with another little kid there. It's a lovely little story with very few words but gorgeous, gorgeous art. The way she draws lace! The colors! The personality and movement!
November 8, 2021
Wow. The illustrations are so gorgeously detailed that they tell a larger story than words can express. The pictures express a celebration of love. Love between Julián and his friend Marisol. The love the abuelas have for their grandchildren. The love two brides have for eachother. And the love the brides feel for Julián and Marisol. It’s a big circle of love!
The story is unlike Julián Is a Mermaid, but the tone of love and acceptance is exactly the same. I can’t wait for more Julián! Here’s hoping Jessica Love never gets tired of writing about a young boy who expresses himself in gender-defying ways and his abuela who accepts him and encourages him to be himself.
The story is unlike Julián Is a Mermaid, but the tone of love and acceptance is exactly the same. I can’t wait for more Julián! Here’s hoping Jessica Love never gets tired of writing about a young boy who expresses himself in gender-defying ways and his abuela who accepts him and encourages him to be himself.
May 28, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss Plus for the ARC.
As usual, absolutely stunning visuals. You could spend hours looking at all the beautiful details. I found the story this time to be a bit light and not as compelling. I think part of that is high expectations on my part and the fact that we already know that Abuela will not be angry. The art really does steal the show but that will be a great segue for readers to imagine their own conversations and happenings at the wedding.
As usual, absolutely stunning visuals. You could spend hours looking at all the beautiful details. I found the story this time to be a bit light and not as compelling. I think part of that is high expectations on my part and the fact that we already know that Abuela will not be angry. The art really does steal the show but that will be a great segue for readers to imagine their own conversations and happenings at the wedding.
February 14, 2021
I want to love Julian. No, I do love Julian. However, I struggle with a white, cis-gender woman writing about black, LGBTQIA persons. I feel as though this story needs to be told from an #ownvoices perspective.
April 27, 2021
Do I love this more than the first Julian book? I don't know anything except that it is a tight race! Adore this new one with all my heart.
April 10, 2021
Julián at the Wedding is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Jessica Love, which focuses on a boy named Julián who wishes to become a mermaid after seeing one on a subway ride home. It is a sequel to Julián Is a Mermaid.
The text is rather simplistic and straightforward. The narrative is uncomplicated with artwork on brown paper, which allows warm, clear views of the characters. The specificity of Love's characterizations offers vibrancy and immediacy, and under their community's watchful eyes, Julián and Marisol find affection, acceptance, and room to grow.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Julián is back and he is going to be in a wedding. He arrives, dressed in a sharp lavender suit and magenta shoes, with his abuela. Julián and flower girl Marisol, who attends in a ball cap meet each other, greet the brides and walk down the aisle with dog Gloria. The brides kiss, the party starts, and Julián and Marisol wander off, Julián having donned Marisol’s flower wreath. When Marisol’s fancy gown suffers from play with Gloria, Julián fashions a new outfit from his dress shirt and a willow’s trailing boughs.
All in all, Julián at the Wedding is a celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive.
The text is rather simplistic and straightforward. The narrative is uncomplicated with artwork on brown paper, which allows warm, clear views of the characters. The specificity of Love's characterizations offers vibrancy and immediacy, and under their community's watchful eyes, Julián and Marisol find affection, acceptance, and room to grow.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Julián is back and he is going to be in a wedding. He arrives, dressed in a sharp lavender suit and magenta shoes, with his abuela. Julián and flower girl Marisol, who attends in a ball cap meet each other, greet the brides and walk down the aisle with dog Gloria. The brides kiss, the party starts, and Julián and Marisol wander off, Julián having donned Marisol’s flower wreath. When Marisol’s fancy gown suffers from play with Gloria, Julián fashions a new outfit from his dress shirt and a willow’s trailing boughs.
All in all, Julián at the Wedding is a celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive.
December 14, 2020
Jessica Love truly has an amazing gift! Her art jumps off the page and feels like it's giving you the most loving of hugs. She is a masterful storyteller that normalizes gender nonconformity and queer weddings. Not to mention she really should be designing clothes since I want to own every outfit in this book.
April 9, 2022
There's not really much going on here. The best part of this book is the lovely, even flamboyant, art. The story is practically non-existent, and I was left a bit confused about who the two women who got married were. Were they Julian's and Marisol's mothers? Are Julian & Marisol now step-siblings? I don't know.
June 5, 2021
Julian is attending a wedding with his Abuela. He makes a new friend Marisol.
Fun and mischief ensue.
Jessica Love brings back Julian in a new colorful and fun way!
Fun and mischief ensue.
Jessica Love brings back Julian in a new colorful and fun way!
Read
December 31, 2024The summary of this book is like twice as long as the contents. The art is beautiful just like the first. Yes this is me reading kids books to meet my end of the year goal so don't take my reviews too seriously.
December 17, 2021
This was a joyful follow up to Julián Is a Mermaid. Set against the backdrop of a queer wedding (WLW), Julián and Marisol walk down the aisle and then go off adventuring together, using their imaginations to take flight. Everything I loved from the illustrations in the first book is present in this one, see my review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Always here for books that show queer people as ordinary. We do all the same things cis and straight people do, we deserve books where we exists but it isn't about our identity.
Always here for books that show queer people as ordinary. We do all the same things cis and straight people do, we deserve books where we exists but it isn't about our identity.
May 10, 2025
“I got dirty”
“Yes, darling, but now you have wings”
“Yes, darling, but now you have wings”
November 20, 2020
Just the most lovely book.
May 5, 2021
تصویرگری!!!!! خداااااا
وقتی لباس دختره کثیف میشه، جولین <3 <3 <3
وقتی لباس دختره کثیف میشه، جولین <3 <3 <3
October 25, 2020
Jessica Love has brought such a special character to light in Julián. His story is a story of love, being yourself, having fun, happiness, and light. In Julián’s new story, we find him at a wedding where, like most kids, he and Marisol would rather go play than hang around with the adults. Only a small amount of text is needed because the joy of playing together radiates through the illustrations and is a feeling that every person has felt at one time or another while they play with no inhibitions when they probably should be somewhere else. Trent and I read this book together and when we were done, he said, “I want to play with them!” and that summarizes the feeling of this book.
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2...
Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 403 reviews