ELI AND THE UNCLES

Eli spends a summer’s day with his uncles.

Each of Eli’s eight uncles is bigger and taller than the next, and each sports a beautiful beard. Uncle Mahmoud enthralls Eli with stories, Uncle Salim prepares Eli’s favorite foods, and Uncle Hanif and Uncle Aman entertain him with their singing and dancing. Uncle Riz cracks Eli up with jokes, while Uncle Farouk and Uncle Aziz do nothing but argue. Last of all is Uncle Nooru, “a world champion nap-taker.” After a long day of merriment, Eli’s mother returns to pick him up. As Eli says goodbye to his uncles, he revels in their beards. Some are slippery with beard oil, while others are long and curly. He gets lost in Uncle Hanif’s waterfall-like beard, while Uncle Aman’s rough scratchy beard gives him tickles. Finally, Eli heads home sleepy, dreaming of eight elegant beards. Madhani’s text is somewhat plain, more a list of the various relatives than an engaging narrative, and though it touches on each uncle’s interests, we barely get to know Eli. Bright illustrations, dominated by oranges, pinks, and blues, add touches of whimsy as they bring each uncle to life—Uncle Aman sports cowboy boots, while Uncle Nooru is clad in striped jammies and a nightcap. The characters have brown skin and dark hair; their names suggest South Asian or Iranian heritage.

Playful illustrations elevate a rather unadorned tale.