UNCLE BOOG AND THE MUSHROOM BAND

A blues-loving gorilla inspires those around him, even as he longs to get on stage himself.

Uncle Boog, a gorilla known for his signature hat and dobro guitar, always has a smile and kind word for the other animals in town. A chef at the Mushroom, a restaurant and live music venue, Uncle Boog’s love of music runs deep: “He closed both his eyes to hear each new note flow. / What pleasure not knowing where each note will go.” He soon runs into different members of the club’s band who are struggling with various problems: Cliff the horse is made fun of for playing drums; Clara the rabbit becomes discouraged while learning the banjo; and Chuck the bear doesn’t feel appreciated as a bassist. Uncle Boog offers advice to each. In turn, he’s thanked by the band and invited to play with them that evening. Jantscher’s simple aabb rhyme scheme sometimes feels forced, but it works to convey simple uplifting sentiments: like the importance of following one’s passion with or without recognition. Record’s illustrations truly shine, with color-saturated pages often dominated by one hue (deep blues and purples, sunny reds and oranges, etc.). The cartoonish images of the animals dancing and emotional use of color bolsters the reader’s ability to feel Uncle Boog’s song lyrics. This book will likely appeal to young readers who find themselves drawn to both the physical and audio world around them.

A richly illustrated, music-centric tale that emphasizes positivity, authenticity, and the power of music.