Harriet, who is in the second term of reception, and I both enjoyed reading I've an Uncle Ivan by Australian illustrator Ben Saunders.
The narrative of the book introduces all the characters that make up this fun family from Uncle Ivan to grandson Buck "whose gut gets stuck inside his truck". Each page is a mini-adventure with the clever illustrations offering lots to talk about.
It's fun working out the family relationships (although I do think some of the ages don't actually make sense) and to discover where they are going and how they arre getting there.
The rhyming couplets help the young reader make an educated guess at some of the words. However I do think a little more work on the rhymes would have improved the book – for example rhyming "Sam" with "trams" irritated me along with "Gab" and "cabs" and some of the scantion could be worked on. Plus why write "drivin'" without the g? So confuing for young readers.
Having said that, Harriet is happy to reread and enjoy I've an Uncle Ivan.
I've an Uncle Ivan comes with a pull-out page to make a 3D paper version of Uncle Ivan's van plus two other characters.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by Thames & Hudson I've an Uncle Ivan