Julian an Mhaighdean Mhara

Lá amháin, agus é ar an traein abhaile lena mhamó, feiceann Julian triúr ban gealgháireach atá gléasta go maisiúil galánta. Tá a gcuid gruaige ildaite á séideadh sa ghaoth agus ag bun a ngúnaí tá eireaball éisc. Tá a gcuid áthais tógálach. Nuair a bhaineann Julian an teach amach tá sé fós ag smaoineamh ar an splanc draíochta a chonaic sé ar an traein. Ba mhaith leis gléasadh suas mar mhaighdean mhara ar nós na mban sin ar an traein, agus cromann sé ar a fheisteas snasta féin a chur le chéile.

Ach cad a shílfidh Mamó nuair a fheicfidh sí go bhfuil an teach curtha bunoscionn aige? Nó ceist níos tábhachtaí eile, b’fhéidir. Cad a shílfidh sí den dóigh ar mhian le Julian é féin a chur in iúl?

Leabhar é Julian an Mhaighdean Mhara a chuirfidh gliondar croí ar óg agus aosta. Scríofa agus maisithe go hálainn ag Jessica Love agus aistrithe go slachtmhar ag Shanna Ní Rabhartaigh agus Gillian Mic Ionmhain. 

One day, on the train home with Mamó, Julian spots three women dressed up as magnificent mermaids. Their colourful hair billows in the wind, their dresses end in fishtails and their joy is contagious. Julian imagines himself as a mermaid and is enchanted by the image of the three women all the way home. All he wants is to dress up like a mermaid too and as soon as he gets home, he sets about creating his own fabulous costume right away.

But what will Mamó think when she sees the mess he has made of the house – and perhaps more importantly – what will she think about how Julian sees himself?

Julian an Mhaighdean Mhara is a heartwarming read for both young and old. Written and beautifully illustrated by Jessica Love and translated by Shanna Ní Rabhartaigh and Gillian Nic Ionmhain. 

Leagan Gaeilge de Julian is a Mermaid.