118. Oh No, The Aunts Are Here

Picture Book: Oh No, the Aunts Are Here. Adam Rex. Illustrated by Lian Cho. 2023. [May] 40 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image]

First sentence: STOP. Do you hear that? Something's coming. They're getting closer. They're snapping shut their purses and stepping out of shuttles from the airport. Oh No. The aunts are here.

Premise/plot: A little girl is distressed (slight exaggeration) by her four visiting aunts. Do they stay a weekend? a week? a lifetime? Probably closer to a weekend. But for this little girl who does not appreciate her aunts, it may seem like a lifetime. 

The point of view from this one, I believe, is meant to humorous and solely from the point of view of the young child. The humor is definitely at the aunts' expense for better or worse. This little one does NOT really like the disruption. (Or the fact that her aunts have an interest in quilts, quilts, and more quilts).

My thoughts: Will children find this one amusing? Maybe. Maybe not. Will adults? Again, I think it depends on your own perspective. This one had some humorous lines--no doubt. But overall, it isn't necessarily written from the point of view that aunts are awesome. (More like aunts are bothersome.) 

The illustrations seem a little over the top, exaggerated. Definitely emphasizing the humor and comedy.

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Young Readers