Igor and Tiffany expect the worst when they hear that their gay uncle is coming to visit, but their stereotypes are shattered when Uncle Brett finally arrives. By the author of Daddy's Roommate.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Willhoite courts a repeat of the controversy touched off by his Daddy's Roommate with this uneasy mixture of political correctness and retrograde thinking. Tiffany and Igor have never met Uncle Brett, who is coming to visit tomorrow. When Tiffany asks if he's married, Mom "gets sort of a funny look on her face" and says, "Well . . . as a matter of fact, he's gay." But she is interrupted before she can explain, and Tiffany and Igor turn to a couple of doltish teenagers for the definition of "gay." One shows the children a newspaper photo of a Carmen Miranda impersonator marching in a gay pride parade (" 'Coochy, coochy, coochy,' squealed Shelby"). Shelby's brother, however, proffers an alternate vision of gays: "dressed up in black leather. Zippers and chains all over 'em. Dark glasses . . . Chaps!" Willhoite fills a few spreads with caricatures of transvestites and "leather queens" (there's even a multibraceleted limp wrist on the book's cover), and these exotic images are sure to make a deeper impression on young readers than the book's conclusion, which, of course, introduces Brett as perfectly ordinary dresser. Alas, this volume is stronger at defining stereotypes than at demolishing them. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Igor and Tiffany's Uncle Brett, who hasn't seen the children since they were babies, is coming to visit. When their mother tells them that he is gay, but doesn't explain what it means, the youngsters hit the streets and ask a mean neighborhood kid. Six-foot-tall Shelby Hipshot bends over to Tiffany whining, "'Poor little baby's got a queer uncle...'" He then explains how gay men really want to be women. The children run off, only to be cornered by Shelby's brother, who says, "'I seen a bunch of 'em once...dressed up in black leather. Zippers and chains all over 'em.'" The siblings have such terrible thoughts in mind that they have bad dreams-and then Uncle Brett arrives looking like an L.L. Bean advertisement. On the next, and final page, he is shown proudly presenting a four-layer, fully decorated, chocolate cake. Everything about this book shouts garish stereotypes. The illustrations are bold and exaggerated-Mom in her skirt, apron, large sneakers, and oversized glasses; Dad always with a tie, even at dinner; dress on Tiffany; super-macho torn shirt, muscles, and grease stains on Shelby; and a squeaky-clean yuppie looking Uncle Brett. The poorly written text continues the typecastingwith all of the negative images of gays presented by the macho brothers; and the general reference to "Uncle What-is-it" and "what" is coming to visit rather than "who." Some may be tempted to buy this book since little has been written for children about homosexual men, but progressive thinking is no excuse for bad writing and this book does more to galvanize prejudices than to diffuse them.
Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, NY
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Unqualified Disaster,
By
This review is from: Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming (Hardcover)
You know, this book meant well. It meant to make introducing a gay relative to your kids less confusing and free of prejudice. However, it starts off with the kids being told their gay uncle will wear black leather and chains. The cartoon leatherman looks like he just bit through a beer can, and the kids tremble with fear. Then, they are told that he could be a drag queen. This time the book depicts a Carmen Miranda figure with a hairy chest floating through the air, and again the children are spooked. But, hurray, kids, he's totally "normal!" He likes football and he makes great desserts! However, the author has revealed his own prejudices. What if the uncle really is something like a leatherman or a drag queen? The book does very little to say those "stereotypes" could actually turn out to be nice, loving people. And furthermore, all he's done is create a new, family-friendly stereotype, so now children will expect the poor uncle or cousin to have a perfect spiral and bake layer cakes. Okay, perhaps it's not a complete disaster. I noticed in an editorial review that Uncle What-is-it points out that all that "gay" means is that one man loves another, which is one positive sentiment. However, as this book is apparently out of print, it seems that the public has caught on that replacing one stereotype with another isn't fair to the poor gay relative or the kids.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gay Uncles, get this little golden treasure!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming (Hardcover)
This book is perfect for all gay uncles to read with their niece or nephew!
A friend of mine showed it to me back in 1994. I have never forgotten it. Now I want to share with another dear friend of mine, that is a new gay uncle. Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A much-needed book!,
By
This review is from: Uncle What-Is-It Is Coming (Hardcover)
Yes, the artwork could be better and, yes, the writing could be tweaked a bit, but there is such a need for a book like this that those are very forgivable shortcomings. Its message is clear that acceptance and love should be our standards. Congrats on a very brave book! :-)
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