Talk:Julián Is a Mermaid

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Latest comment: 3 years ago by Yoninah in topic DYK Nomination


"Criticism" section and sources edit

I've added the "Criticism" section today. Although I think it's important to highlight some of those criticism levied against the book and its author for balance, I'm not sure the sources would fall under reliable, and since I've found so few compared to praise, it might be seen as undue weight. I thought it would be relevant to explain why I added it. Isabelle 🔔 18:29, 25 September 2020 (UTC)Reply

GA Review edit

This review is transcluded from Talk:Julián is a Mermaid/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: Whiteguru (talk · contribs) 01:34, 26 September 2020 (UTC)Reply


Starts the Good Article Review. The review will follow the same sections of the article.  


Lead edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. The lead is concise and gives an important consideration re the composition of the book - a mix of watercolor, gouache and ink in the paintings.

Plot edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. The plot is given straight forward and simply.
    2. The grandmother giving the necklace with a smile is an important affirmation of gender non-conformity.

Development edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. Well scribed. Might this contain a quote from the pink news page, giving explanation why mermaids are so important to trans children?

Influences edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. A simple narration of the queer influences upon the author. Simple, yet striking.

Reception edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. Reception by some important sources (Booklist, School Librarian) are included, illustrating reaction to the topic, and positive reaction to the mix of watercolor, gouache and ink creating a watery atmosphere. A good inclusion.

Criticism edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. I am not altogether sure that this section is necessary. In a sense, it is a form of perverse discrimination, and in some respects even a strawman criticism of the author because she is not of the LGBTIQA+ community. Finger pointing like this is not necessary, nor should it be honoured by inclusion. Recommend: dropping this section.

Awards and Accolades edit

  1. Is it reasonably well written?
    1. A simple statement of awards from different reader groups, and it is good to include the Society of Illustrators due the material composition of this book. It achieves a simple, childlike affirmation of gender non-conformity.

End Matter edit

  1. It is Broad in its coverage?
    1. This is a children's illustrated story of a young boy who explores his desire to be a Mermaid.
    2. Readers from the LGBTIQA+ communities give it awards for its simplicity and sensibility for young people who experience gender dysphoria.
    3. So in this sense, YES, it is broad in its coverage and useful - a one librarian told - for a one-on-one or a group discussion.
    4. Works Cited: all examined. Notability is established.
  2. It follows the neutral point of view policy:
  3. Is it stable?
    1. Page is created on 23 September and has had 163 page views since then. It has received a total of 20 edits from 5 human authors, and there are 50 links to this page. There is no evidence of edit warring; considered a stable page.
  4. It is illustrated by images : yes, a book cover within the WP:NFCC.
  5. Overall:  Y GA Pass


  • Thanks for the fair assessment, Whiteguru! I agree with what you said about the "Criticism" section, though I added it due to prickly issue that cultural appropriation and it seemed somewhat relevant, though I agree there aren't enough reliable sources to warrant talking about it.
With regards to the "Development", I've added a quote by the author. I also thought about adding the following sentence, but I wasn't sure if it would be a good addition (since it's not the author's point of view, but simply a commentary by a third party): "The interviewer, Josh Jackman, also highlighted the story of The Little Mermaid, who desires to change her body, as well as the United Kingdom based charity, Mermaids, which fights for the rights of trans children." Maybe it would make for a good addition to the "Themes" section, now that I think about it.
Thanks again! Isabelle 🔔 14:44, 29 September 2020 (UTC)Reply

DYK Nomination edit

The following is an archived discussion of the DYK nomination of the article below. Please do not modify this page. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as this nomination's talk page, the article's talk page or Wikipedia talk:Did you know), unless there is consensus to re-open the discussion at this page. No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was: promoted by Yoninah (talk) 16:01, 15 October 2020 (UTC)Reply

  • ... that the children's picture book Julián is a Mermaid was initially going to be about drag balls until the author learned about the meaning of mermaids to transgender people? Source: Jackman, Josh (17 February 2019). "Trans kids' book 'Julian is a Mermaid' is winning hearts and awards". Love, who has been a theatre actor for the last decade, revealed that she initially intended to have Julian encounter drag queens on their way to a ball—until she saw the significance of mermaids to trans people.
  • Comment: Third nomination.

Improved to Good Article status by Isabelle Belato (talk). Self-nominated at 02:38, 3 October 2020 (UTC).Reply

Hadn't realized it linked there; changed. Thanks! Isabelle 🔔 02:39, 4 October 2020 (UTC)Reply
  •   Newly promoted GA, well-written without copyvio issues. Hook is on the long side but below 200 characters, and reasonably interesting. Only one previous DYK, so QPQ not required. Good to go. Pi.1415926535 (talk) 08:29, 4 October 2020 (UTC)Reply