I am an Aunt of two or three dozen kids (three biological nephews and goodness knows how many have been “adopted” over the years). And I know two things: one the aunt must be cool, and two, they must have a little discipline otherwise the two of us (or four when all the nephews were present) will just totally destroy the place! And in the picture book the Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles they know how to be a good aunt and/or uncle. But Leo’s uncle Mo needs a few lessons.
And that is what the book is about. I cannot tell you things like the proper bedtimes, or how much ice cream is allowed before broccoli, and such things as that is the secret of Auntieology and Uncleology. But Uncle Mo of the story, realizes that he has a few lessons to learn to pass the SAT (Stellar Aunt-Uncle Test), but so does his nephew, Leo, when it comes to the fact that Uncle Mo is not as dull as thought of at first.
Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso are the authors of this mad-capped adventure. And Dan Santat, with their signature illustration style paints the picture of what it means to have nieces and nephews. Things are goofy, silly, and really do not have “a lesson” but it is not all fun and games, but mostly fun and games. And with the illustrations there are a lot of colorful things to gaze upon. Perhaps this would be a good gift for the future Aunt and/or Uncle, or maybe for a niece or nephew who is having a little trouble adapting to the “other grownup that is not a parent” in their lives.
Due September 2023, read via an online reader copy.