Review: FUNcles

Culture can be as ingrained and omnipresent as sunshine for kids. Their interpretation of the world around them is of course influenced by those in their world; their immediate family, peers and community. It becomes the norm, unquestioned and hard to relinquish. As a 'third-culture kid' growing up in Singapore, Yashika Mody is well qualified to commentate on the unique qualities of socially accepted cultural norms having experienced them all her life; like the use of the words Aunty and Uncle within Singaporean communities. FUNcles is a picture book penned by Mody and illustrated by Adriena Fong that highlights one small lad's confusion after he adopts this terminology for everyone he knows. The results are both heartwarming and hilarious.

Told in comforting first person, we first meet this boy in his classroom where he is assigned a worksheet to complete about his family (tree). He immediately proclaims that he has a gazillion uncles. Undeterred by the self-perceived ginormous undertaking ahead of him, this boy (with no moniker himself) sets out to curate all the 'uncles' he has. We are introduced to them all: his Bus Uncle, Supermarket Uncle, Fried Rice Uncle, even Barber Shop Uncle.

So many uncles call for more paper than his family tree can accommodate in one room, until his parents gently point out that they are not his 'real' relatives. They are merely addressed that way as a sign of respect, as they are in many cultures world-wide including our own indigenous one. 

The boy however is crushed to learn that his extended family are essentially 'fake' and amends his family tree accordingly. Until Dad cleverly points out that there is a hidden word within his new FUNCLES title that helps him see the situation in a new and welcome light - Family Tree Assignment - salvaged! 

This term of endearment is, as pointed out in the Mody's afterword, not unique to Asian cultures but is also used in Latin America and the Pacific Isles. It represents an extension of respect and acknowledgement of place in society that youngsters are uniformly exposed to and often delightfully transfer to other cultures they inadvertently visit. 

Fong's fullspread, richly hued illustrations depict a wide variety of Singaporean scenes which arguably could be in any of our societies. Ethnicity is portrayed in a rainbow of different faces and situations which exemplifies Singaporean cultural diversity but again reflects many modern cityscapes. 

FUNcles is indeed a fun yet insightful look at what many may take for granted without thinking about the implications such terminology creates for the very young. This makes this bright picture book a boon for shared classroom reading, inciting discussion about family, blood relatives, and cultural understanding. 

To gain a deeper appreciation of Yashika's motivation behind writing FUNcles, visit again on Friday the 9 October for her Guest Post. 

Title: FUNcles
Author: Yashika Mody
Illustrator: Adriena Fong
Publisher: Lantana Publishing, $24.99
Publication Date: 13 October 2026
Format:  Hardcover
ISBN:  9781836290506
For ages: 3 - 5
Type: Picture Book

Buy the Book:       Simon & Schuster Australia, Latana Publishing