Willie and Uncle Bill

February 27, 2012
Aunts and uncles offer an impish alternative reality for children, and Willie’s hipster Uncle Bill is a case in point. He rocks the geek chic look (rolled jeans,
fluorescent socks, retro button-downs); he doesn’t blanch at wearing one of Mom’s ruffled aprons while whipping up tacos from scratch; and he’s a keen judge of haircuts, especially when dictated by Willie’s attempt at self-barbering (“It’s very... Now”). And in the last of the book’s three short stories, he takes Willie on a surreptitious subway expedition to jam with a
garage band (“The woman with the crazy pants did a split. So did Willie”). Schwartz’s (Tiny and Hercules) cartooning runs the gamut from crisp, distilled images that are as cool as her hero to extravagantly detailed scenes that capture the sensory overload of his genially outré mindset (she draws every brick on every building on the garage band’s block). Her poker-faced, reportorial prose is marred by somewhat corny wordplay in each story’s wrap-up, but otherwise this is a stylish and loving tribute to a modern-day, male Auntie Mame. Ages 4–8. Agent: Jane Feder.

March 15, 2012
When Uncle Bill visits, adventure is never far behind! The doorbell rings three times. It's a sign of something special. Uncle Bill is here to watch Willie. The text hints that Willie may be a bit dramatic. He wears "checked pants and a big striped shirt." But one look at the illustrations, and readers know that Uncle Bill and Willie are kindred spirits. In a short-chapter format, three separate stories are told. In the first, there is an unexpected haircut and a French hairdresser hero, Pierre. In the second, the pair sets out to make Icky Stew (which consists of chocolate, tuna salad, liverwurst and much more). But who will eat it? A walk through Brooklyn finds some willing customers. The last adventure includes a subway ride and an electric rock-'n'-roll performance. Each story ends with Willie's mother coming home, instinctively knowing something must have happened but never quite finding out. Schwartz accurately tunes in to the thrill of small adventures and the best part about babysitters--the new, creative energy in the house. Bright patterns adorn Willie and Uncle Bill but are also smattered across rugs, sofas and wallpapers, adding to the joy. Emerging readers will appreciate the feel of a chapter book, but this dynamic duo will surely be adored (and envied) by all ages. (Picture book. 4-8)

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May 1, 2012

PreS-K-Three separate episodes describe Willie's adventures while in his uncle's care. First, the long-haired child locks himself in the bathroom and gives himself haircut. Uncle Bill tries to make it better but soon realizes that they need professional help. So off they go to the hair salon where Willie gets a very short haircut. In the second episode, Willie and Bill make "icky stew." Bill throws everything that the boy suggests into a pot: mustard, chocolate, tuna, liverwurst, and pistachio ice cream. The result is something that neither one of them will even taste so they offer it up to everyone in the neighborhood. The only takers are the seagulls in the park. When Mom inquires what they did, they say they spent the afternoon "stewing around." The third adventure involves a nighttime visit to a garage band's rehearsal. Uncle Bill plays a set, and then Willie gleefully joins in. Then it's a race to get home before Mom. There are often four or five scenes per spread. The characters are elongated, giving a cartoon feel to the gouache and pen-and-ink illustrations. Kids will like these satisfying clandestine adventures and look forward to Uncle Bill's next visit.-Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2012
Grades K-3 By dividing her picture book into vignettes, Schwartz succeeds in making the three relatively low-key episodes feel like something much greater: the proof of a genuine, long-lasting relationship between a little boy and his unflappable Uncle Bill. Each tale starts with Bill showing up to babysit his nephew Williebut from there, results vary. First, Willie takes a scissors to his head, necessitating a late-night trip to the flamboyant uncle's favorite salon, Hairby Pierre. Bill's reaction to Willie's new buzz? It's very . . . Now. The second story involves cooking a revolting concoction called Icky Stew, which is refused by every human and animal, until some seagulls take a liking. The final, and best, story illustrates how Billand adults like himtruly understand what strikes the fancy of kids. Bored, Bill takes his nephew to watch a rock band he knows rehearse in their garage. Yep, pretty awesome. Schwartz's finely lined and candy-colored gouache art give things a sprightly feel, which perfectly matches the clear, though happily unstated, affection the two characters share for each other.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)