My Two Uncles

Plans for Elly's grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary party are upset when Grampy refuses to invite Elly's Uncle Phil and his friend, Ned, who are gay. By the author-illustrator of Saying Goodbye to Daddy.

Kindergarten-Grade 2?Elly and her family are excited about her grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary celebration. As a special gift for the occasion, she helps her Uncle Ned and his partner Phil build a diorama. Later, the girl overhears an argument when her grandfather discovers that Ned wants to bring Phil to the party. Her father then explains why Grandpa is angry, telling Elly that he respects Ned and disagrees with Grandpa. Uncle Ned refuses to come to the party alone, and gives the gift to Elly to present. When Grandpa opens it, he expresses regret for having rejected his son. The rather ordinary, cartoon-style watercolor illustrations are a simple accompaniment to the story. There is a broad definition of homosexuality as love between two adults of the same sex, like that found in a traditional marriage; Vigna further notes that gay people cannot "make" someone else gay. The ending shows a growth of understanding between father and son that is neither exaggerated nor unrealistic. Parents seeking to explain a homosexual couple's relationship may find this book useful.?Virginia E. Jeschelnig, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 2^-4. Uncle Ned is Elly's "real uncle. Uncle Phil is his friend." Her uncles are wonderful to her, and she can't understand why Grampy doesn't want Uncle Phil at his fiftieth anniversary party. Elly's father explains: "Sometimes a man loves another man in the way a married couple love each other," and "some people feel funny about seeing gays with their partners." Ned's refusal to attend without Phil is treated with dignity, as is Elly's concern that Ned is angry with her for going to the party. Grampy does come around a little. But though he waves to Phil from the car, he still won't enter Ned's apartment. Not just a story about gay men from a little girl's perspective, this is a story about families. It's filled with love and impatience, rejection and change-making, all mixed up. Mary Harris Veeder