My guncle and me

Henry Higgleston, sporting glasses and a green dinosaur hoodie, feels out of place at school, where "how I walk, talk, and dress/ Makes me seem so uncool." This changes with a weekend visit from Henry's "most fabulous/ Relative// my guncle" and his pup Jimmy Chew. The stay involves the relative listening to and comforting Henry, providing activities including a dance party and zoo visit, and modeling self-confidence at church. Departing with advice ("Keep being yourself/ Even when you are grown"), Henry's guncle inspires the child to both be themself and connect with others. Pastel-hued illustrations from Carillo reinforce the gentle encouragement of Merritt's rigorously rhyming couplets, which occasionally incorporate religious undertones (Henry communicates that "you can be who God made you,/ Whatever you are"). Throughout, what's undeniable is the powerful love shown by Henry's guncle, and the way spending time with a beloved role model can make all the difference. Protagonists are portrayed with pale skin; background characters have various skin tones. Ages 4--8. (May)

A boy's spirits are lifted by a visit from his guncle. Henry doesn't really fit in at school. The other kids think he's weird. Luckily, his beloved guncle (presumably short for "gay uncle," though the word gay is never used in the text) is here and is ready to help Henry learn to be himself. The "fabulous" guncle wears colorful clothes and a neckerchief, drives a yellow convertible, and has a French bulldog named Jimmy Chew. Bucking stereotypes, he is also a devout Christian and a football fan. The guncle is a fairy godmother--esque figure who appears, nameless, to whisk Henry off on a series of brief adventures--eating waffles, listening to show tunes, visiting the library and the zoo--and to impart an important lesson about self-acceptance before vanishing again. The friendly illustrations capture the guncle's personality and depict a racially diverse community setting, with occasional fun background moments from the guncle's dog and Henry's cat and baby sibling. The message to love and be true to yourself is evergreen, and the story may appeal to children, whether gay or not, who don't fit in. The meter of the text is clunky at times, however, and it feels repetitive by the end. The plot has no significant rise and fall, suspense, or exciting page turns to hold young readers' attention. Henry, the guncle, and their family present white. Goodhearted but less than engaging. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.