Uncle Allan’s Stinky Leg

Based on a true story, this picture book tells the story of how Uncle Allan broke his leg but lying around on the couch while it healed wasn’t for him, so he carried on with life and went to the farm. This accident happened in 1976 possibly before the advent of fibreglass casts, so his plaster of Paris cast became filthier and stinkier during visits to the farm. Nobody wanted to be near him.

Jennifer tells the story with great humour, and readers can’t help but laugh at Uncle Allan’s stubbornness and can-do attitude.

This picture book’s pages are all the same format with a picture on one side and a paragraph of text on the facing page. It gives the book an old-school look, but it works, as the story happened 44 years ago.

Margery’s illustrations are quirky, with some great details, but with the perspective being a little off, it adds to the interest and catches the eye. Great discussion could be had about how things used to be: rabbit ears on the TV and a manual car (alas no gearstick).

At the end of the book is a brief bio of the real Uncle Allan and his xray of the broken leg. The information about our bones and how to look after them by eating the right foods. There are also instructions on looking after your cast, should you be unfortunate enough to break a bone, and avoid the big stink that Uncle Allan had attached to his leg.

Title: Uncle Allan’s Stinky Leg

Author: JenniferSomervell

Illustrator: Margery Fern

Publisher: Tales From the Farm Publications

ISBN: 9780473447984

RRP: $28.99

Format: paperback

Date of Publication: September 2018

Ages: 4-9

Advisory warnings: None

Reviewed by Nova Gibson, Librarian, Massey Primary School, Auckland

How are you recommending this book? Recommended

Opening Sentence: Uncle Allan slumped on the couch, staring at his clean, white plaster cast.

You can buy this book here