Uncle Bobby's Wedding Book

Bobby and Jamie are getting married, but Bobby's niece Chloe is worried that she won't be his favorite person anymore. Will Uncle Bobby still think she is special?

Sarah Brannen's warm story is set in an alternative family as Uncle Bobby marries his boyfriend. Uncle Bobby's Wedding embraces Bobby's relationship with Jamie, but keeps its focus where it truly belongs: on an uncle and niece's love for each other.

Beautifully told and charmingly illustrated, this simple yet moving story begs to be read time and again.

Publishers Weekly

Brannen's debut stars a strong-willed guinea pig whose favorite uncle announces he is marrying his partner, Jamie. Everyone is thrilled except for Chloe, who tells Uncle Bobby that she doesn't think he should get married, since "You have me! We can keep having fun together, like always." Her uncle promises, "You'll always be my Chloe," and tells her they will continue to have fun together. He and Jamie escort Chloe to the ballet and take her sailing, and she warms to the idea of having two uncles, especially when she is asked to be their flower girl. She proclaims the garden ceremony "the best wedding ever"-and even takes credit for planning it. Though the story makes an easy springboard for adult-child dialogue, the issue of same-sex marriage is incidental to the plot, which straightforwardly addresses the fear of being replaced when a loved one marries. Featuring a sunny palette, Brannen's delicately outlined watercolors convey the characters' varied emotions-the guinea pigs' eyes are particularly expressive-and the mutual affection of the heroine and her uncle. The final scene, which depicts Chloe between her uncles in the light of a full moon, underscores Brannen's reassuring message. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)