Hamilton Hill author Chris Thomas releases new children’s book My Uncle is a Funcle

Hamilton Hill author Chris Thomas has all the proof he needs of his status as a fun uncle, or “funcle”, with the release of his second children’s book, My Uncle is a Funcle.

The book comes after the quacking success of last year’s Leonard The Lonely Duck that was popular enough to gain a second print run.

Written for three to six-year-olds, Thomas said a “funcle” was like a dad but way cooler and a source of unlimited fun, help, advice and encouragement.

“The book is very loosely based on myself as an uncle,” Thomas said.

“You get to be a kid again by joining your nieces and nephews to play with their toys, build Lego, muck about with games and be silly.

“Funcles can be a bit mischievous while also introducing kids to your favourite books, movies and other things, teaching them in a fun way.

“Essentially, you get to enjoy all the great parts of being around kids without the full-time responsibilities that come with being a parent.”

Written in rhyme, My Uncle is a Funcle reunites Thomas with illustrator Terry Cooper, who was visually responsible for bringing Leonard The Lonely Duck to life.

“I was extremely happy that my publisher paired me with Terry the first time around because the pictures were even better than I imagined,” Thomas said, who is also the author of Doctor Who spin-off novel Lethbridge-Stewart: Blue Blood and short story Vampires of the Night.

“I asked if he could do the illustrations again but using a pencil-shading style I had seen him use in other children’s books.

“He struck magic again and is fantastic at putting in little details and cues that are in the story.”

Signed copies of My Uncle is a Funcle are available for $20 (plus $4.50 postage) via myuncleisafuncle@gmail.com.