View source for What are Aunties Made Of? by Carna Brooks

{{infobox2
|title=What are Aunties Made Of?
|author=Carna Brooks
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A delightful way of looking at aunties in all their various shapes and sizes.  They're excellent role models for our young girls.
|rating=3.5
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=24
|publisher=AuthorHouseUK
|date=December 2016
|isbn=978-1524666422
|website=
|video=
|aznuk=1524666424
|aznus=1524666424
|cover=1524666424
}}

We all know what little boys and girls are made of, although I have to confess to having always been just a little bit jealous of the puppy dog tails and quite willing to pass on the sugar, spice, slugs and snails.  But what are ''aunties'' made of?  Could it be:

''Smelly old cars and old milk jars?''<br>
''Or fragrances of lavender and roses in our noses?''

Well, actually, it really depends on the auntie, because they come in all ages, shapes and sizes - and most importantly they do all sorts of different, exciting things.  Auntie Candy is sporty: running, biking, climbing and hiking.  She even does yoga on the roof.  Auntie Lin-Chen is a city girl and high-powered deal maker, but Auntie Precious is a lot more relaxed, but that might be because she's the same age as our narrator (lack of age is no bar to being an auntie, you know!)  She's a real treat to have around if you're looking for giggles and tickles.

Now, auntie Laura is a vet, but she's kind and gentle and has been known to shed a tear when it's time to say goodbye.  Auntie Sakiya is into fashion and has her own beauty shop, so although she can take hours to find trousers to match her top she's obviously no slouch when it comes to effort.  Auntie Ali is a woman after my own heart - she's a book lover, whilst auntie Tallulah smells like fish and chips because she's a chef in a van - as a hobby and to earn some pocket money!  Auntie Mary is the head of a school, but she's quite soft-hearted - as the Jelly Tots in her drawer show.

I loved the aunties individually and I loved them collectively, because they're independent, successful women earning their own living (if they're old enough) and beholden to no one.  It doesn't stop them just being aunties though - they still have lots of love and care to give.  Not all of them are exquisitely beautiful, but they don't rely on their looks.  They're the role models we want for our young girls, who, even in the 21st century can still be looked on as second class citizens.  That's not fair on women - and it's not fair on the world to waste such a wonderful resource.

I liked too that there's diversity in the book.  It's a multi-cultural story.  People wear glasses.  Mary Buckland's illustrations bring this point out without being preachy about it.  If I have to be picky about the book, the rhymes don't always scan and the words themselves can seem a little contrived, but you shouldn't allow that to detract from a fun book with a valuable message.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

For another successful woman, have a look at [[Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty and David Roberts]].  You might also enjoy [[Yoga Babies by Fearne Cotton and Sheena Dempsey]].

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