Aunts and uncles add a lot to stories, whether that’s by taking care of the main character(s), offering great advice, or being a role model. And they don’t have to be blood-related to the other characters to have this bond; after all, you can choose family. Since there are so many great aunts and uncles, I asked the Bookstr team for their favorites, all listed below.
Nao from Skip & Loafer
Shout out to Nao-chan from Skip & Loafer! She’s not a regular aunt, she’s a cool aunt. As a fashion stylist, she’s always making sure Mitsumi walks out the door looking cute, and with not too many statement pieces stacked on top of each other. Nao’s also a great confidant to both her niece and her friends. Her dynamic with Mitsumi’s friend Mika is one of the most compelling in the series.
Moreover, Nao-chan is a fascinating character on her own. We’ve seen vignettes of her personal history as a trans woman, but much of it is still shrouded in mystery. Anytime we get to learn more about her, it’s a gem. One thing we do know is that she’s got an adorable boyfriend! Who knows? He might just be a remarkable uncle himself in the future. All in all, Mitsumi’s aunt is a fabulous character with lots of layers to peel back.
Gabriela Collazo, Editorial
Aunt May and Uncle Ben from Spider-Man
I immediately thought of Aunt May and Uncle Ben from Spider-Man. They raised their nephew Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, and were extremely caring and forgiving. Most importantly, they gave great advice, including Uncle Ben’s powerful saying, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Dunia Matta, Editorial
Iroh from Avatar: The Last Airbender
He’s the best uncle in the world! He’s a former warlord who became a pacifist after his son’s death, and he does his best to guide Zuko and bring him off the violent path his father set him on. Even when Zuko messes up, he forgives his nephew and is always there with a pot of tea and good advice. Plus, he acts as an uncle for other characters, like Toph.
Danielle Tomlinson, Editorial
Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv from Fresh Prince of Bel Air
I had to go pop culture with this one because what Aunt/Uncle pair is more iconic and lovable than Phil and Viv? They raised a man, showed him the love he had been missing for so long, and let him figure out exactly who he was without judgment. When they messed up, because that happened, they owned it and did better. There was a lot of growth and healing for everyone.
Kristi Eskew, Editorial
Auntie Elaine from The Ex Hex
My favorite fictional aunt that I’ve discovered recently is from the book The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling. The novel features a family of powerful witches, and our female main character, Vivienne, is raised by her Auntie Elaine. Elaine owns a quirky witchcraft store and is beloved by everyone in their small town.
She is the definition of a cool aunt, and the added layer of witchcraft makes her that much cooler. Vivienne very clearly looks up to her aunt and often quotes her wise ideas, such as “never mix vodka with witchcraft.” I’m so excited to read the sequel, The Kiss Curse, to get more hilarious Aunt Elaine content!
Oona Quinn, Outreach
August, June, and May Boatwright from The Secret Life of Bees
My favorite fictional aunts are August, June, and May Boatwright from The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. I read this book in high school, and I loved it. Each of the Boatwright sisters are unique and have their own distinct personalities. They take Lily and Rosaleen into their home after they run away. The sisters are kind and teach Lily about life and self-acceptance.
August is the oldest of the sisters and is a respected businesswoman. June is more stubborn and serious, but cares about August, May, Lily and Rosaleen. May is more emotionally sensitive, but has a big heart. The Boatwright sisters are hardworking, caring and help Lily heal and forgive herself due to a tragedy that happened in her past.
Molly Ireland, Outreach
Neeve and Other Magical Women from The Raven Cycle Series
What first came to mind was the extended family that Blue lives in The Raven Cycle series. Blue’s mother is a physic, and they live with aunts, cousins, and other physic women on 300 Fox Way. This family dynamic of being surrounded by so many eccentric, magical women is a big part of Blue’s story, especially being that she herself isn’t exactly psychic.
One of these women is Neeve, Blue’s half-aunt, who is not quite ‘good’ but is certainly an interesting character and element of this story. I love how The Raven Cycle explores families of all kinds, and I like to imagine myself living on 300 Fox Way amongst Blue’s.
Fiona Hansen, Editorial & Outreach
Aunty Ifeoma from Purple Hibiscus
When I first read this book in college, I always found myself sympathizing with the characters struggling to be positive while enduring their father’s perfectionist tyranny. I remember Aunty Ifeoma fondly as she seemingly swoops in and changes Kambili and Jaja’s lives entirely by instilling them with positivity and love that they yearned for from their parents.
She is so confident and gives off feminine power vibes. She practically shows the children that women don’t need a husband’s guidance or income to survive and reminds them they can have independence and a voice that is heard. I loved her character so much, and her actions and words run layers deep!
Kelly Severson, Video
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