If you had to make a family tree poster for school, how big would it need to be?
Ginormous - that's how big!
This is exactly what happens in Funcles when a child is tasked with creating a family tree for a school project and excitedly tells his teacher that he’ll need more than one worksheet.
But then, what if you discover that all the uncles you thought you had weren’t really your actual uncles? All that work for nothing, not to mention the embarrassment.
Why would your father introduce all these people as uncles?
This is exactly what happens in Funcles when a child is tasked with creating a family tree for a school project and excitedly tells his teacher that he’ll need more than one worksheet.
But then, what if you discover that all the uncles you thought you had weren’t really your actual uncles? All that work for nothing, not to mention the embarrassment.
Why would your father introduce all these people as uncles?
Who is Supermarket Uncle?
What about Barbar Shop Uncle?
And Fried Rice Uncle?
Funcles is a heartwarming picture book by Yashika Mody and Adriena Fong that explores the importance of community and belonging. In the carefully thought-out simple storyline, Mody makes the point that your community can – and should – be your family too.
In a note at the end of the story, Yashika Mody explains that she wrote Funcles as a way to help her son, and other young children, understand that many communities around the world do not just think of family as being direct relatives. As such, this book thus provides a mirror for some readers, and a window into this cultural practice for others.
Coupled with Adriena Fong’s bright, warm and fun illustrations, the text encourages readers to see their community in a new light – and any uncles you may have not as F(ake) Uncles but F(un) Uncles.
A beautiful way to broaden cultural understanding, one step at a time.
Title: Funcles
Author: Yashika Mody
Illustrator: Adriena Fong
Publisher: Lantana $24.99
Publication Date: 13 October 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781836290506
For ages: 3 – 5
Type: Picture Book
Funcles is a heartwarming picture book by Yashika Mody and Adriena Fong that explores the importance of community and belonging. In the carefully thought-out simple storyline, Mody makes the point that your community can – and should – be your family too.
In a note at the end of the story, Yashika Mody explains that she wrote Funcles as a way to help her son, and other young children, understand that many communities around the world do not just think of family as being direct relatives. As such, this book thus provides a mirror for some readers, and a window into this cultural practice for others.
Coupled with Adriena Fong’s bright, warm and fun illustrations, the text encourages readers to see their community in a new light – and any uncles you may have not as F(ake) Uncles but F(un) Uncles.
A beautiful way to broaden cultural understanding, one step at a time.
Title: Funcles
Author: Yashika Mody
Illustrator: Adriena Fong
Publisher: Lantana $24.99
Publication Date: 13 October 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781836290506
For ages: 3 – 5
Type: Picture Book
