Julián at the Wedding

A celebration of weddings and a subtle yet poignant reminder that gender, like love, is expansive. Lovely.

Artwork on brown paper allows warm, clear views of the characters, who appear to be Black and Afro-Latinx. The specificity of Love’s characterizations—the way the abuelas kick off their high heels, the brides’ enthusiasm, the children’s expansive gender expressions—offers vibrancy and immediacy, and under their community’s watchful eyes, Julián and Marisol find affection, acceptance, and room to grow.

Once again Love has brought us young characters who are free to live, play, and express themselves however they wish without conflict. An abundance of joy and love.

This is a work similar to its predecessor, featuring joyful exploration of gender presentation without any trauma or real conflict. The art, again set on soft brown paper, bursts with dappled color, busy with fluttering fall leaves and flower petals. The intimate details in posture and expression make Love’s illustrations deeply striking...