Asking writers to look at dialogue and think about how much what a character says reveals about him, her, or them helps them then think about how to use dialogue intentionally in their own writing. And in not doing so, she gives Julián space to share his thoughts. She could have dismissed him, she could have shared her thoughts - good or bad - about the mermaids, she could have judged him. Julián asks a question without revealing what he's thinking. When I read these two lines, I see so much about who they are and how they interact. In these two lines, we see Julián ask a question and Abuela answer him. And even older writers can think about how dialogue is a way to describe and show the reader a multitude of things. Older writers can make the connection between the speech bubbles in their drawings to the text they write. Writers in kindergarten and first grade can add speech bubbles to their drawings. The snatch of text I pulled below shows two lines of dialogue that I believe are pivotal. Reading Julián is Mermaid highlights a special moment between a boy and his grandmother and illustrates how easy it is for an adult to see a child and to encourage a child. Not to mention that I get to be a mom to two awesome kids. Not a day goes by that I don't find myself in awe of young people and thankful that I get to serve kids as my job. They notice things and they pay attention and sometimes, if you're a certain kind of person who they think they can trust, they'll share things with you. But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes - and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself? Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality. When Julián gets home, daydreaming of the magic he’s seen, all he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume: a periwinkle curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car. While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up.

GoodReads Summary: In an exuberant picture book, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.

Julian is mermaid