Uncle Frank’s Pit
This book is currently out of print and is not available for purchase.
1998, Viking
ISBN hardcover: 0670877379
It all started when Uncle Frank came for a visit and stayed, and stayed, and stayed. It seemed nothing would rouse him from his comfortable spot in front of the TV. That is, until the day he hung an old coat hanger on a stick and picked up some unusual signals emanating from the backyard. All at once Uncle Frank was bound and determined to find whatever was buried out there, no matter how long it took. So he started to dig a hole, and what happened next would make more than just family history.
“Eccentric Uncle Frank comes to visit and literally makes himself at home. He begins to dig a pit in his relatives’ middle-class urban back yard, searching first for dinosaur bones, then for oil, and eventually for treasure. Oblivious to his family’s disbelief (excluding the boy who narrates the story), and later intense media coverage, he ends up unearthing a huge ancient statue. Uncle Frank has the manic good cheer of an updated Monsieur Racine (Tom Ungerer’s The Beast of Monsieur Racine, Farrar, 1971) but is revealed in contemporary, vivid, and thoroughly wacky full-color art. Surprises enliven the book as Uncle Frank moves furniture and amenities into the pit and has a hot tub installed. Emphatic characters are notable for their angular hairstyles, and the spot art is irresistible apropos. Original and endearing, the text and illustrations support one another seamlessly. Best of all, the offbeat protagonist proves himself right against all logical odds. Children will regret his departure and hope he’ll be back soon.”
