"Uncle Bobby's Wedding" by Sarah S. Brannen (Putnam Juvenile, 9780399247125,
$16.95, 32 pages, for ages 4 to 8)
This gentle, adorable new children's picture book arrives just in time for
the summer wedding season, and it boasts three great strengths. First, it
offers a simple, kid's-eye view of weddings by telling its story from the
perspective of young Chloe, a happy little guinea pig who's very worried
when her favorite uncle announces that he's getting married. Chloe fears
that Uncle Bobby's wedding will spell the end of their great friendship: no
more long walks, no more boat rides together, and no more fun! But Uncle
Bobby calmly reassures her that things really won't change all that that
much: "I promise we'll keep having fun together," he says. "You'll always be
my Chloe."
Second, the book gives attention to a relationship that may be new ground
even for some adults. When Uncle Bobby gets engaged, it's to his boyfriend
Jamie, who is smoothly accepted into the family. After Chloe begins to warm
up to Jamie, she also warms up to the idea of the wedding itself: not only
will she get to be flower girl, but rather than losing a favorite uncle,
she's actually gaining a second one. (Plus, they let her pick the flavor for
their wedding cake. She picks carrot cake.)
And third, "Uncle Bobby's Wedding" is filled with charming painted
illustrations that strongly recall the animal pictures of Beatrix Potter.
The book's watercolor pages bundle together blooming woodlands with peaceful
lakes and cozy fireside scenes, and each guinea pig character comes dressed
in a smart little jumper or a swank tuxedo suit (and the
band--hilariously--is made up of rabbits wearing Hawaiian-print shirts). The
book's best image comes right at its end as happy wedding guests dance the
night away in a grassy field lit by fireflies and a swollen summer moon.
By the end, Chloe feels pretty good about it all: "That was the best wedding
ever," she says. "I planned it all from the beginning."
Review by
Mark David Bradshaw, May 1, 2008
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