The picture book Uncle What-Is-It is Coming to Visit is about a brother and sister who find out that their uncle Brett is coming to visit. When talking to their mom they learn that Uncle Brett is gay. The two don't know what gay means, but before they can ask their mom she gets distracted by something burning in the kitchen. They two kids stumble across a pair of air-head teenage boys who explain what gay means by using common stereotypes. The two kids get frightened into thinking their uncle is going to be dressed in women's clothes or wear chains and leather. But when they meet Uncle Brett they are relieved to find that he is just like any other person. They learn that Uncle Brett shares the common interests, such as playing catch and hating brussel sprouts. During his stay they kids ask Uncle Brett about being gay, and they learn that it means that he likes men instead of women. They also learn that some gay men dress up as women or wear lots of leather and chains, and that is okay too.I know this book is a controversial picture book, but I think it has an interesting story and lesson. I think this book is important because it deals with the common experience of misconceptions about another person. I know that many students will be able to relate to the experience of judging someone before they meet them, and then realizing that what they had been told or thought before isn't necessarily true once they meet the person. In this book the kids judge their uncle based on stereotypes, and then realize that he's a really great guy. I think this is a great book because it shows that stereotypes are not a reliable way to categorize people. I think that the overall message of this book is wonderful, and I think that kids should learn that there are all different types of people.
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