Is this book suitable for younger toddlers or just elementary kids?

While the main character Leo is ten years old, the story is written as a picture book and works well for kids as young as four. Younger toddlers might find the text a bit long, but Dan Santat's expressive art keeps their attention.

Is this just a celebrity vanity project by Jake Gyllenhaal?

Co-author Greta Caruso and illustrator Dan Santat give it real heart and comedy. Santat's Caldecott-winning artwork carries heavy narrative weight and makes it feel like a genuine picture book rather than marketing fluff.

What is 'Auntieology' and 'Uncleology'?

It is the book's comedic premise that being a cool, attentive aunt or uncle is an official craft taught in a secret underground society. It gives kids and adults a fun vocabulary for family bonding.

Is there any scary or intense content in the secret society adventure?

Not at all. The adventure is purely madcap and humorous, featuring goofy training courses and funny visual gags with no actual peril or scary villains.

Would this make a good gift for a new aunt or uncle?

A great choice. The story serves double duty as a fun read-aloud for kids and a humorous, sweet nod to adult relatives taking on their role for the first time.

The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023Juvenile Fiction

88%

WISE Score

Dan Santat illustrates a story where ten-year-old Leo trains his well-meaning, stationery-selling Uncle Mo in the art of being a great uncle.

The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles

book

2023, Juvenile Fiction

88%

WISE Score

Dan Santat illustrates a story where ten-year-old Leo trains his well-meaning, stationery-selling Uncle Mo in the art of being a great uncle.

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Screenwise Verdict

Most family picture books center on parents, grandparents, or new siblings. The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles shifts the spotlight to that wonderful middle tier of the family tree: extended relatives who want to be cool, even when they sell stationery for a living and do not have a clue where to start.

Written by Jake Gyllenhaal and Greta Caruso, the narrative follows ten-year-old Leo as he navigates his relationship with his well-meaning but awkward Uncle Mo. What elevates the book beyond a celebrity project is the concept of a secret training institute dedicated to 'Uncleology' combined with expressive, chaotic illustrations by Caldecott winner Dan Santat.

It is a charming, funny read-aloud that highlights how relationships take practice on both sides. If you have an aunt or uncle in heavy rotation in your kid's life, this is an easy win for bedtime.

Age Fit

Best for kids ages 4 to 9. While protagonist Leo is ten, the picture book format and whimsical illustrations land sweetest as a read-aloud for pre-K through third grade.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Offers a warm, empathetic portrayal of intergenerational family bonds and highlights how adults and kids work through awkwardness to build real connection.

Imaginative

Inventive concept of a secret training institute for aunts and uncles, matched with energetic, detailed illustrations by Dan Santat.

Safe

100

Completely safe picture book with zero scary themes, inappropriate content, or friction points.

Enriching

Builds emotional literacy around extended family relationships and encourages kids to see adult relatives as real, caring people who sometimes need a little patience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Dan Santat's vibrant artwork brings energy and visual humor to every spread, keeping pre-readers engaged while older kids catch the background gags.
Focuses on extended family, giving aunts and uncles a dedicated spotlight that picture books rarely offer.
Playful worldbuilding around the concept of 'Uncleology' gives families a funny shared language for relative quirks.

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What to Watch For

Higher word count than average: Features slightly longer narrative blocks and a ten-year-old protagonist, which might require extra patience from younger toddlers.

Conversation Starters

"What is one goofy habit or signature move your own aunt or uncle has?"
"If you were designing a secret training school for uncles, what rule would be mandatory?"
"Why do you think Uncle Mo had a hard time connecting with Leo at first, even though he meant well?"

Deep Dive

The Art of the Fun Uncle

Celebrity picture books are notoriously hit-or-miss. For every thoughtful entry, there are five thin, rhyming projects that rely entirely on the author's name to sell copies. The Secret Society of Aunts and Uncles avoids that trap primarily because it anchors itself in a recognizable emotional dynamic and hands the visual heavy lifting to illustrator Dan Santat.

The premise hinges on a clever concept: being a great aunt or uncle is a craft that takes practice. Ten-year-old Leo loves his family, but his Uncle Mo is an awkward stationery salesman who keeps missing the mark. When they stumble into the secret headquarters where aunts and uncles are trained in the craft of connecting with their nieces and nephews, the story transforms into a playful exploration of how adults and kids learn to understand one another.

Why Dan Santat's Art Matters Here

Santat, best known for The Adventures of Beekle and After the Fall, fills every spread with frantic energy, hidden visual jokes, and expressive character designs. His style gives Uncle Mo's bumbling warmth actual weight. Kids who are not yet reading independently will spend five minutes per page tracking the background details in the secret society's training rooms.

How to Use It at Home

This book shines best when read aloud before a family gathering or a visit from extended family. It opens up a natural, lightweight path to talk about how adults express affection in different ways, especially relatives who might feel unfamiliar to younger kids.

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