Chaucer’s Books will host Miss Angel for Read With Pride!, a storytime reading event of “Julian is a Mermaid” and other children’s books, 2 p.m. Saturday, June 10 at the store, 3321 State St., Santa Barbara.

Storytime with Miss Angel includes crafts and stories for the family. With a diverse library of books that focus on kindness, self-love, empathy, and inclusion that features a range of LGBTQ+ children’s books, Miss Angel creates a safe and encouraging space for everyone.

She is an author, elementary school educator and a curriculum consultant with a masters degree in education. Miss Angel devotes her time reading to young audiences, performing and dancing throughout her hometown of Santa Barbara.

“Lift your chin, hold it high, keep your head up to the sky, then say in a voice so wonderfully free, ‘I am fabulously perfect for me,’” Miss Angel proclaims.

“Julian is a Mermaid” is written and illustrated by Jessica Love and was the 2019 winner of the Stonewall Book Award. In, a glimpse of costumed mermaids leaves one boy flooded with wonder and ready to dazzle the world.

While riding the subway home from the pool with his abuela one day, Julián notices three women spectacularly dressed up. Their hair billows in brilliant hues, their dresses end in fishtails, and their joy fills the train car.

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.

But what will Abuela think about the mess he makes — and even more importantly, what will she think about how Julián sees himself?

“Julian is a Mermaid,” Love’s author-illustrator debut, is a celebration of individuality.

Love is an illustrator and a New York-based actor. She has a BA in studio art from the UC Santa Cruz, and a graduate degree from Juilliard.