Review: My Guncle and Me by Jonathan Merritt

Jonathan Merritt's book My Guncle and Me is a charming and beautifully illustrated book about family, self-love, and inclusivity. This preschool/early elementary grade picture book features Henry and his fabulous gay uncle (guncle), whose name is never shared with the reader. Henry feels down about himself because he feels different from the other kids at school (p. 3-4).

Photo credit: Hatchette Book Group

Then Henry's guncle comes for a visit, and everything changes.

"When I get really sad, my guncle squeezes my hands. He lets me cry all my tears, and says he understands" (p. 12).

Henry and his guncle spend the weekend doing all kinds of things that Henry enjoys. His guncle engages in each activity willingly and joyfully. When others judge Henry's guncle for how he looks, he pays them no attention (p.19). When it's time for Henry's guncle to leave, he tells Henry to keep being himself, always. (p. 22-23). After he's gone, Henry realizes that his guncle taught him an important lesson during his visit.

"But in order to love other people that way, you must first love yourself and know you're okay" (p.30).

My Guncle and Me is a heartwarming tale of self-love and self-acceptance. It teaches that we are all special and unique in our own ways, so even if we feel differently from others, we shouldn't let that get us down.

At 32 pages, My Guncle and Me is perfect for reading aloud or along with and would make a charming addition to your at-home or classroom library. The publisher, Running Press Kids, an imprint of Hatchette Book Group, has a "deep commitment to celebrating and empowering every child."

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