The Trouble with Uncle

by Babette Cole

Recaps the wacky adventures of an uncle who thinks he's a pirate, searches for buried treasure and along the way gets towed by a whale, meets a movie star, and marries a mermaid.

Genres: Picture Books, Pirates, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

About the author

Babette Cole was a British children's author and illustrator. Born on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands in 1949, she attended the Canterbury College of Art (now the University for the Creative Arts) and received first-class BA Honors. She worked on such children's programmes as Bagpuss (working with Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin) and Jackanory for BBC television.

As a children's writer, Cole created more than 150 picture books. Her best-seller Doctor Dog has been adapted as a successful children's cartoon series. Much of her work is earthy comedy, having titles like The Smelly Book, The Hairy Book, The Slimy Book and The Silly Book.

She spent her time writing, visiting schools and traveling. After a short illness she died on 15 January 2017, aged 66.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a disappointment after The Trouble with Grandad, which is a long-term, often-requested favourite of my 2 year old. There wasn’t quite the same balance of silliness and suspense, and we ended up returning it to the library without a second read.

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uncle just happens to be a pirate (though a very silly one)!
Pirates

[Louise Gooding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite Babette Cole book

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Babette Cole on ilmeisesti kierrättänyt ideaa useammassa kirjassa tai tehnyt tarkoituksella perhesiteistä parodiaa. Joka tapauksessa tämä idea toimii tässäkin erilaisesta sedästä kertovassa kirjassa. Suurinosa kuvituksen vitseistä taitaa aueta vähän isommille lukijoille, toivottavasti vasta aikuisiän kynnystä lähestyville sellaisille !

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, ok. But I didn't like that the trouble was revealed so soon...like the first pages, that he was a pirate. In The Trouble With Mom, you surmise the trouble by looking at the pictures, and the language was more well thought out.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aya and Sam loved this too much - full of things they love - sharks, mermaids, treasure maps, and whales, and pirates! :)

[Babette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually my favourite of the 'The Trouble with... ' series and very funny!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pirates and mermaids, and written by Babette Cole -- that is a pretty winning combination, but, somehow, I expected a little more.

Actual rating: 3.5 stars.