Written by: Sarah S. Brannen
Illustrated by: Lucia Soto
Language: English
Topics Covered: Family, LGBTQ, Interracial Marriage, LGBTQ Weddings, Social-Emotional Learning.
Summary:
This beautiful book is a relaunch of the original book published in 2008, but this time with human characters instead of guinea pigs! Chloe absolutely loves her Uncle Bobby, and they spend a lot of time together doing all sorts of fun activities. One day at a picnic, Uncle Bobby brings his friend Jamie and announces that they will be getting married! Everyone at the picnic is thrilled and excited for the couple, except Chloe. Chloe’s worried that the wedding will mean she will lose all of the time she spends with Uncle Bobby.
I really love this book because it taps into an anxiety that a lot of kids might have if a family member is getting married-that they will no longer be around to do fun stuff with them. The fact that Uncle Bobby is marrying Jamie, a man of color, is inconsequential to Chloe. And that’s the beauty, these new illustrations normalize the gay marriage. The overarching message is about social-emotional learning, and how to adapt when family structures change. Chloe is thrilled when she understands that she’s not losing an uncle when he gets married, she’s gaining one! Kids connect better to stories with humans, especially ones that have a message like this one, and I’m so glad that the illustrator decided to also normalize interracial marriage along with gay marriage, another type of marriage that is vastly underrepresented in books!
This book was sent to us by little bee books, and is also a contender for the #bookstagang_bestof2020 but all opinions are our own!
Sarah S. Brannen is the award-winning illustrator of more than twenty books for children. She is the author and illustrator of Bear Needs Help (Philomel Books), Madame Martine and Madame Martine Breaks the Rules (Albert Whitman), and Uncle Bobby’s Wedding (G. P. Putnam’s Sons). Uncle Bobby’s Wedding received extensive publicity upon publication; it was the eighth most-challenged book in the US in 2008. Forthcoming books include Perfect (Philomel), summer 2020.
Sarah also illustrated Seashells: More Than a Home and Feathers: Not Just For Flying, the Crystal Kite Award winner and an ALA notable book written by Melissa Stewart; At Home in Her Tomb, A Junior Library Guild selection; and Digging for Troy: From Homer to Hisarlik as well as many other books. She illustrated the 40th Anniversary edition of All Kinds of Families by Norma Simon.
Lucia Soto is an illustrator based in London. Lucia graduated in Design and Plastic Arts and after a few years working as a Graphic Designer and Art Director in advertising (although being paid for thinking is rather cool) she decided she wanted to roll up her sleeves and draw! So Lucia set up her studio and now she considers herself so lucky to spend her time drawing all those things that are half nonsense and half all sense, the stuff that makes Lucia’s life silly and beautiful.
Lucia lives near Primrose Hill with her husband and a tiny apple tree. Lucia loves Julie London, Art Deco, overdressing and walking everywhere. She’s afraid of pigeons and gets really cross at broken leads in colored pencils.