Challenged Picture Book Is Appropriate, Says Darien Public Schools

DARIEN, CT — "Julián is a Mermaid," a picture book for second graders that has been questioned by some in the community in recent weeks, has been deemed appropriate by Darien Public Schools, and will remain in circulation and available to teachers.

Following a review from the school district's curriculum team, a memo explaining why the book will remain in circulation was sent to parents last week who had voiced an opinion on the book.

Superintendent of Darien Public Schools Dr. Alan Addley said the memo went to about 30 people — about half were in support of the book, and half opposed.

Parent Megan Watros, who has two children at Royle Elementary School, first mentioned the book to the board of education during its regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 25. She said she was concerned that the book was read to her daughter's second grade class.

The book is written and illustrated by Jessica Love, and depicts a young boy, Julián, who, while riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, notices three women spectacularly dressed up as mermaids.

"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 butter-yellow curtain for his tail, the fronds of a potted fern for his headdress," the book's description says.

"But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?" the description continues. "Mesmerizing and full of heart, Jessica Love’s author-illustrator debut is a jubilant picture of self-love and a radiant celebration of individuality."

The memo from the school district said in part that while gender identity and self-expression are not teaching points in the unit of study with the book, "these aspects of the story may be relatable to some students."

Some illustrations showed Julián in his underwear, but the curriculum team said such a depiction is not uncommon in children's literature, such as Mowgli in "The Jungle Book," "Tarzan," "Captain Underpants," and other accessible children's literature.

Additionally, the main character is a young boy and "his relationship with his abuela is something to which many children can relate. The actions of the character are consistent with how a younger elementary school age child would behave," the memo said.

Addley told Patch that the book is used and selected to support the district's social emotional learning curriculum, and it supports concepts of diversity and unconditional love. It also supports overall district goals, the strategic plan and vision of the graduate, Addley said.

"The story, told through words and pictures, is fundamentally about a boy who dresses up as a mermaid," Adley noted. "The book does support the diversity of books in our elementary classroom libraries but is not used as a lesson on gender identity, expression or transition. These topics are not in our elementary curriculum."

During the Oct. 25 meeting, Watros said the book was not appropriate for 7-year-olds.

"I am all for and support diversity and a rich education, however, there should be boundaries with regards to sensitive subjects with our youngest learners. Education on changing gender for second graders should be completely off limits," Watros said.

"I'm really perplexed as to why this book would be read to a class of 7-year-olds, and I'm also so curious why adults would broach this topic with children?" Watros added. "If this is the path the school wishes to take with the social emotional learning, because that's the guise they're hiding this under, then we should be able to opt out."

Later on during the Oct. 25 meeting in a second public comment period, a parent spoke in support of the book.

"The book is about affirming. The book is about being seen and being loved. It is not a book about transitioning," said Armel Jacobs. "There is nothing in there about transitioning. It's about having the social emotional wherewithal to accept someone and be kind when they put out a bid for affection."

The book was published in 2018, and has since been translated to 14 languages. In 2019, the book won a Stonewall Book Award, which is presented to English language books "that have exceptional merit relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience."