Funcles

by Yashika Mody, Adriena Fong (Illustrator)

When a classroom assignment asks for a family tree, one child knows he'll need more than just one sheet as he has a gazillion uncles!

There's Bus Uncle, Supermarket Uncle, Taxi Uncle, and even Food Hall Uncle. Everywhere he goes, there's someone looking out for him. But when Ma and Pa see his growing tree, they gently explain that none of his uncles are “real” relatives. In their culture, calling someone "Uncle" is a sign of respect, a way of recognizing community, care, and connection.

Embarrassed at first, the boy quickly realizes something even better: these aren't fake uncles . . . they're FUNcles! And they mean the world to him. Funcles is a warm, funny, and heartfelt story about the many shapes family can take. A celebration of cultural traditions, community bonds, and the everyday heroes in a child's world, this is a story about love that lives in shared moments, not just in family trees.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication November 3, 2026

About the author

Yashika Mody is a picture book author from sunny Singapore. She writes about the beautiful (and often times, hilarious!) thoughts, beliefs, and norms of children navigating culture. Her international background as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) growing up in the intersection of East and West influences her writing as she looks to portray stories with a cross-cultural perspective. Her debut picture book, FUNCLES, releases in October 2026 with Lantana Publishing.

Reviews

[Claire Bobrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet and funny book about the tradition of calling elders "Uncle" and "Auntie", no matter the person's actual relationship to a particular child. This practice sends a powerful message about community, something we could all use more of! Kids will love the cheerful illustrations and relate to the family tree activity that sparks the whole story.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this story, a boy believes that he'll need to make a massive family tree for his school project, since he has so many uncles. Then his parents tell him that these men aren't really related to him, and are just community members that they call uncles because of their cultural background. The boy is upset at first, but then he sees that all these people are like his family, and he feels grateful to have such a strong support system. This charming story will appeal to people from similar cultural backgrounds, and to anyone who has honorary aunts or uncles.

I enjoyed this wholesome, sweet story, and the illustrations are colorful and cute. This book is a great read-aloud for families, and it's also great for educational settings. This story can start meaningful conversations about family bonds and friends who are like family, and can help children reflect on the meaningful bonds that they have with adults throughout their communities.

I received a temporary digital copy from the publisher through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since the narrator's parents have always told him that various individuals such as the bus driver, the grocery store vendor, and the barber are uncles, he assumes that he's related to them all and fulfills a family tree school assignment with their names. His parents are surprised and explain that these men aren't part of their family. In their culture, the use of the titles "uncle" and "auntie" are signs of respect. At first, he's upset about having believed that these individuals were related and sees them as fake uncles. His father comes to the rescue, pointing out that "funcles" contains the word "fun" and that these are part of his community. When he shares his work with his classmates, they can relate since they also have funcles. This stressful situation has a positive resolution. The digital illustrations are warm and colorful with kid appeal. Add this title to a collection about families.

[Sabrina Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet colourful book was something i know my kids, me and a multitude of families could resonate with. It all boils down to respect in a FUN way!
So many adults who are a part of a kids life are called uncles and aunties (its a respectful way of addressing them in many cultures) and I'm all for that. Funny this is I totally understand how that could confuse a child too RE the literal meaning.
I love the way Yashika has taken this concept and literally out a FUN twist to it, making it relatable, sweet, thought-provoking and kind in its end conclusion.
I love that its based around Singapore as its such a diverse collection of people. I LOVE Adriena's illustrations as she's captured the warmth of story.

Highly recommended for any school library, home and gift - because it's full of heart

[Jessica Iwanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not be more delighted by this book! It has everything you could want in a stand-out read aloud: lovable characters, a hilarious mix-up, rich illustrations, and a child learning about a beloved cultural tradition.

I read this aloud to my daughter and we couldn’t help giggling the entire way through. We both felt right at home with these people and places, even though the culture is not our own, and that’s certainly because of Yashika Mody’s superb storytelling skills. Sometimes a funny misunderstanding can lead to clarity, community, and more cultural pride. I have a feeling my daughter will be calling all her uncles “Funcle” from now on! :)

With its heartfelt and humorous story and its stellar re-readability factor, FUNCLES is sure to become a household favorite.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Publisher Spotlight | Lantana Publishing through NetGalley.
Readers see this child figure out how to create a family tree that includes all those he knows are his uncles. We see him identify men who interact with him in a wide variety of jobs. His parents explain how their culture uses aunt and uncle as terms of respect, and he decides to call them funcles. The class appreciates his huge tree and share family information from their own cultures. Lovely illustrations capture the text and enhance the story. A terrific read aloud/together for classes and families. It will open dialogue about their own customs.

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Funcles celebrates found family in the community around you!

Mody, why did you have to make me tear up like that? 💖 That powerful scene was written and illustrated so well to convey the little boy's confusion and sadness at his perceived loss in the moment.

I loved reading Yashika's personal story at the end. As someone who did not grow up in this culture, but deeply admires it and respects the elders around me, I've struggled with if I should follow local custom or continue with Ms. and Mr. as I was raised (and look like I should be saying).

Thank you to Publisher Spotlight and Net Galley for this ARC!

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yashika Mody’s story and Adriena Fong’s illustrations combine to create a picture book that will appeal to any child with a huge extended family — whether by blood or not. Like the young boy in this book, I grew up with dozens of family members — uncles (funcles here) and aunties — who loved me and my family. I wish every child could have the fun and love we see in this stellar book.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Publisher Spotlight and Lantana Publishing.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funcles
by Yashika Mody
Yashika Mody shows the nature of social awareness that is different for many other cultures. The book highlights the respect and understanding of many cultures around the world. Children are raised with this idea of respect that may not be understood in Western culture. This book is a great social emotional book, not only for connection between similar cultures but connections within the community. It is a good conversational starter for social emotional lessons on community and respect.

[S. N. Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
This book was about a boy who is making a school project about his uncle's, onl to get a shocking revelation from his parents.
When my 3-year-old was asked what he thought of the book, he said "This book was fun."
This was a cute story that helps showcase cultures where people within the community are thought of as family. I really liked the way that theme was presented, so a child can understand that family doesn't have to be based on blood.
No language. No spice, obviously.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advanced review copy of this book and I enjoyed it so much. The storyline follows a young child as he's completing a very common school project: a family tree. His family has LOTS of uncles, which makes for quite a project--until the main character realizes his uncles aren't "real" uncles. It's a humorous and heartfelt story, that also creates a window into a cultural norm that I was not yet familiar with. Highly recommend for school and library collections and for family and community gifting.

[Crazyaboutkidsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the sense of community in this book. Family isn’t just those who share our bloodlines. Family is all around us! And that’s exactly what the book’s main character discovers. He celebrates his Bus Uncle, his Fried Rice Uncle, His Haircut Uncle, and more. These uncles may not be “true” kinfolk, but the love they share makes them just as wonderful as authentic relatives. Kid readers will enjoy reading about these unexpected FUNCLES!

[Kali Cordes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a wonderful book! I really enjoyed getting a glimpse into a culture that's different than the one I grew up in. I loved how the story showed the feeling of community that's created when all of the adults, whether actually related to or not, are called "uncle" and "aunty". The illustrations are warm and inviting, and the perfect match for this feel-good story. This book is a great read-aloud for children who use these terms of endearment in their everyday lives and those that don't!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funcles is such a lovely book! Well written words flow believably throughout. Bright, cheerful illustrations are created digitally and there’s a lot to see in each spread. I love how no one talks down to the child when he’s confused. From his parents to his teacher to the uncles themselves, they all have a respectful attitude and use a considerate tone. A sweet story of a tradition that encourages community. There’s a nice note from the author and I love the endpapers, too!

[Jolene Gutiérrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun story! The main character thinks they have uncles all over the city and fills out their famliy tree accordingly. When their Ma and Pa see the tree, they explain that they call elders aunt or uncle out of respect even if they're not related, but the main character is grateful for the connections with these people in their life even if they're not related. A lovely story of family, friends, and connection.

[Katrina Tangen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun intro to the tradition in Singaporean culture (and others) for kids to call all adults “uncle” and “aunt”. Our main character gets a little confused and confidently fills out his family tree project with the many uncles in his life. He’s upset when his parents tell him they aren’t actual relatives, but comes to embrace a wider view of family that includes the community uncles who make his life better.

[Yewande Daniel-Ayoade · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUNCLES is the personification of the saying, "it takes a village." The main character in this book does not have blood-related extended family, but the love from his community is so strong that he can't tell. This is a great book to promote loving one's neighbor. It will also teach kids that family is not just the one you're born with, it can also be the ones you choose, or that choose you. A fun and emotionally satisfying read.

[Paola Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a FUN book! Funcles, written by Yashika Mody, explores the idea of community and connection in an engaging and relatable way. I particularly love how the family tree grows exponentially until the wall is covered with drawings of uncles! The book beautifully shows how those members of our community who deserve our love and respect can become part of our family and support one another. Highly recommended!

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 229 of 365 ~ 2026

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

First, this is written by a Singaporean! Weee....

And it is such an adorable story...

The minute the kid mentioned many uncles, I wondered if the author was Singaporean or Malaysian :))

Loveeee thissssss!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book229of365 #amreading #thisbookfairyisreading #theSGtrekkiereads #netgalley

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a great way to introduce titles of respect in a picture book. As a young adult, I spent a few years living near a large Filipino community in California. This is one of the things I learned from them and about their culture. It's a practice that I deeply admire and respect. This book will be a great mirror for cultures that use titles of respect, but also a great doorway for kids who have never been exposed to them.

[Louise Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family tree assignments can lead to all kinds of discoveries, like in this picture book about a boy's many, many uncles. What makes this book stand apart, though, is the culturally-specific reason WHY this boy has so very many uncles. I don't want to give it away, but I love the unique approach, and the author's note explaining the unique cultural aspect.

[Autumn (Wanda for Halloween) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher Spotlight for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.


This was such a cute story about a child who has lots of "Funcles" (fun uncles, people in his community he calls "uncle" out of respect who aren't actually related to him) in his community. It was sweet, and the illustrations were adorable!

[Cora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Publisher Spotlight and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy. All opinions are my own.

This is a cute story about what makes someone family. The story itself is sweet and I loved the colorful illustrations. I especially enjoyed learning about another culture and the focus on community. Overall, a great story and a beautiful lesson about family being more than blood relations.

[Delano Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funcles is funtasic, funderful, and a fun read that makes a read-aloud a joy! Yashika brings culture and community to the forefront in an easy to enjoy expereince. With good laugh-out-loud moments and learning to be had, this book is just right for your personal, local, and school library.

[Karen Gebbia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A school family tree assignment turns into a discovery of cultural practice - understanding why we use the terms of respect, aunty and uncle, for grown-ups who aren't biological relatives. A sweet take of this cultural practice, with bright delightful art.

[J-l · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really cute picture book that explains how some cultures use the terms auntie and uncle. It was simple, clear and fun. I wish it were a little bit longer, but I'll still add it to my classroom wishlist.

Thank you #NetGalley for an A.R.C in exchange for an honest review.

[Stephanie Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, joyful celebration of chosen family and cultural tradition that expands the definition of "relative" in the best way. Funcles reminds us that love, care, and community are what truly make a family tree grow.

[Ann Koffsky · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A sweet misunderstanding leads a young boy to discover that while all those Uncles aren't REALLY Uncles, they are really FUN--and therefore FUNCLES! A lovely, fun way to highlight how we are all connected.

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

An uplifting story about a young boy coming to understand the use of the term "uncle" in his family and culture. Told with humor and joy, this book not only brings clarity to a common practice, it also highlights the power of community and the beauty of recognizing our connectedness.

[HELEN ZAX · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUNCLES is a fun picture book that brings to vivid life the Asian practice of calling community friends "uncle." This humorous, sweet story reminds us that the people we meet each day don't need to be blood relatives to feel like family.