Starred Review In this delightful showcase of wholesome masculinity, little Eli gets to spend a day with his eight stylish and talented uncles: Mahmoud the storyteller; Salim the chef; Hanif the singer; Aman the dancer; Riz the comedian; Farouk and Aziz, who love to argue; and Nooru, "world champion nap-taker." What make each of these uncles truly special, however, are their eight long and diversely fabulous beards, which flirt with the fantastical in their larger-than-life presentations. While Madhani's upbeat text doesn't provide much explicit narrative tissue, simply introducing each uncle one by one and then taking readers through Eli's farewells, the illustrations tell the story of a long, busy, fun-filled day, as each uncle shines on a dedicated spread, showing off their individual talents, always in a group setting. The result is a genuinely festive atmosphere and something akin to a fashion show, collectively providing a treasure trove of beautiful, brown masculinity. Kheiriyeh's characters burst with energy and color, a palette of hot pinks and beachy blues lending a feminine edge to these stunning men and their endlessly elegant beards. The unfettered affection on display among the uncles and their nephew doubles down on the book's unmistakable message about the many things that men (and boys) can and should be proud of being: playful, pretty, and powerful, all at once.

Eli spends a summer's day with his unclesEach of Eli's eight uncles is bigger and taller than the next, and each sports a beautiful beard. Uncle Mahmoud enthralls Eli with stories, Uncle Salim prepares Eli's favorite foods, and Uncle Hanif and Uncle Aman entertain him with their singing and dancing. Uncle Riz cracks Eli up with jokes, while Uncle Farouk and Uncle Aziz do nothing but argue. Last of all is Uncle Nooru, "a world champion nap-taker." After a long day of merriment, Eli's mother returns to pick him up. As Eli says goodbye to his uncles, he revels in their beards. Some are slippery with beard oil, while others are long and curly. He gets lost in Uncle Hanif's waterfall-like beard, while Uncle Aman's rough scratchy beard gives him tickles. Finally, Eli heads home sleepy, dreaming of eight elegant beards. Madhani's text is somewhat plain, more a list of the various relatives than an engaging narrative, and though it touches on each uncle's interests, we barely get to know Eli. Bright illustrations, dominated by oranges, pinks, and blues, add touches of whimsy as they bring each uncle to life-Uncle Aman sports cowboy boots, while Uncle Nooru is clad in striped jammies and a nightcap. The characters have brown skin and dark hair; their names suggest South Asian or Iranian heritage.Playful illustrations elevate a rather unadorned tale.(Picture book. 4-8)