From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2–In this jolly follow-up to What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best (1998) and What Grandmas Do Best/What Grandpas Do Best (2000, both S & S), Numeroff and Munsinger show how these relatives enjoy time with nieces and nephews. The critters, including sheep, cats, and squirrels, take roller-coaster rides and stay up for late-night television. An aunt plays a piano with her nephew while another takes her niece for a ride in her yellow convertible. Readers can then turn the book over to see how uncles enjoy their young relatives, such as sitting on the floor for toy piano tunes or driving all-terrain in a messy jeep. The ink-and-watercolor cartoons are endearing. Stereotypes are dashed since both sexes cook, shoe shop at the mall, and build clubhouses. The characters' expressions and poses alternate from comic to affectionate. As expected–and hoped for–the title reiterates that uncles and aunts "can give you lots and lots of love." This upbeat offering just might inspire a family reunion.–Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA
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PreS. Like Numeroff's popular What Mommies Do Best/What Daddies Do Best (1998), this winsome picture book features two parallel stories. The first half of the book shows a variety of adoring animal aunts entertaining their beloved nieces and nephews. Turn the book over and another set of pages shows uncles enjoying the same activities with their nieces and nephews. As in Mommies/Daddies, Numeroff chooses refreshingly gender-neutral pastimes, such as building a clubhouse and buying cotton candy and winning prizes at a fair. Munsinger's watercolor-and-ink illustrations are as charming as ever here. Whether the animals are pictured telling jokes at home, e-mailing from a distance, or enjoying a drive outdoors, the affectionate scenes reinforce Numeroff's comforting message that what aunts and uncles do best is "give you lots and lots of love." Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
