Customer Reviews
Great Story 
2008-06-09
I am an Elementary Art Teacher and I us this book in my class room. My kids love it. It really helps the little ones get into the world of Warhol.
A great fun read 2008-01-01
My daughter and I both loved this book. I teach art history so I like to find books about artists. Andy Warhol is a character that appeals to children because of his love for everyday things. Having the story told by an actual member of Andy Warhol's family makes it even better. For children I think it reinforces the idea that art is everywhere and that they can be creative too. The illustrations are perfect and we giggled and laughed through most of the book.
Great book to teach about a famous an interesting artist! 2007-11-08
I bought this book for our school's art program. The whole school learned about Andy Warhol and did an art project. This book was a hit with kindergarteners on up to sixth graders! It was a fun way to peek into the life of Any Warhol from the unique perspective of his nephew, James. The illustrations were beautiful and the story was well told.
A look at an artist's family life 
2007-05-14
This story held my 4 year old's interest. I have purchased many art history for kids books so that my daughter will be exposed at an early age to art, but this is a great story that deals more with the personal side of Andy Warhol. Indirectly, readers get a description of Warhol's background and mannerisms. Great read.
A Modern Masterpiece 2006-07-09
James Warhola's "Uncle Andy's : A FAABBBULOUS VISIT WITH ANDY WARHOL" is a complete joy from cover to cover. Even for kids who've never heard of Warhola's famous uncle, this is a marvelous book that's certain to inspire children to reach for the paints and crayons. But that's just the start of this book's appeal. For anyone interested in Andy Warhol, this is an indispensible portrait of the man behind the pop art, "superstars," and Manhattan nightlife. It reveals a very warm, loving and dare I say "normal" side of a great artist whose sharp eye for modern culture was grounded in the blue collar practicality of his Pittsburgh roots. James Warhola, whose own keen eye is apparent in his wonderful words and pictures, has filled every page with fond and detailed memories. And reading his description of Uncle Andy, it's obvious that affection was mutual.
A Little Boy and His Wierd Uncle 2006-02-21
When James Warhola was a little boy, his father, the local junkman, always had the urge to make something interesting out of junk. And when they drove to New York City to visit Uncle Andy, James and his family were truly amazed by how the most ordinary of everyday things can inspire art. Offering a unique perspective on Andy Warhol, James recounts the wackiness of visiting Uncle Andy—waking up to towers of soup boxes and playing hide-and-go-seek with twenty-five cats, all named Sam! But even more important, James shares how he learned about beauty and art from an innovative master.
Not-so raggedy Andy 2004-06-15
With all the great picture books out there, it's no wonder that one or two fall through the cracks. I was very partial to "Uncle Andy's" when it came out last year, but no one seemed to pay it any mind. And this is a real shame when you sit down to look at it. Imagine, if you will, being related to one of the hippest New York artists working in the Pop Art scene. James Warhola has taken one of his childhood experiences and woven it into a faabbbulous story about visiting his rather well known uncle, Andy Warhol.
Living with his family in the countryside just a little ways from Pittsburgh, James Warhola always looked forward to the regular trips to Uncle Andy's. James's father was Andy's eldest brother, and worked in a junkyard. Always taking Andy a couple choice junk pieces, the family would pile into their station wagon and make the trip to visit Andy and their Grandmother Bubba. Once there, Andy's home was a kid's dream house. It was filled with crazy junk, pop art, and millions of different peculiar odds n' ends. It had twenty-five cats (all named Sam), paint by number paintings, wigs, art, you name it. Warhola goes on to recount some amusing problems that would arise from staying with Andy. For example, Andy was prone to staying out late partying and then sleeping in. One morning, James's little sister Maddie got tired of waiting for Andy to wake up so she walked right in. The house was pierced with a shriek (on the part of Andy) when it was clear that he hadn't put his wig on yet. James then goes on to explain that everyone in the family knew that Andy was bald, and that once Andy sent a box of his old wigs to his brother, allowing the family to goof around and try them all on. In the end the family would usually leave in the early morning when Andy was asleep, but he'd always leave a box of gifts for the kids by the front door to take home with them.
There's something so bizarre about this story that it makes perfect sense. For anyone doubting the possibility that Andy Warhol (he dropped the extra "a" from the end of his name when he moved to New York) would have country nieces and nephews, you need only look at a photograph supplied on the back book flap. There, beside two clean-cut early 1960s youngsters grins a devilish Andy Warhol, sunglasses and white wig intact. The authenticity of the tale doesn't stop there, however. Warhola has a wonderful sense of detail and intricacy that help him to tell his story well. When little James wakes up in a makeshift bed (a door set atop four strategically placed paint cans) he finds himself in a room filled with junk, art, and scattered clothing. There are Fantastic Four comic books and cats perched in every nook and cranny. Every picture in this book has at least fifty different tiny details and moments in it that make it worth rereading again and again.
So let's say you want to introduce your children to the great artists of the 20th century, but the last thing you want to do is to bore them. "Uncle Andy's" is not only the perfect choice, it is the ONLY choice in many respects. You can keep your Jasper Johns and Sally Manns to yourself. I'm an Andy fan through and through. And unlike other biographies of artists, this book is remarkable because it is:
a) A true story
b) A tale in the vein of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You know. The mysterious proprietor and his amazing collection of wonders and marvels.
c) Well illustrated and well written.
There are other reasons to read this book to your kids (or to have them read it to you) but I think the ones I've listed should be sufficient. There may have been only one Andy Warhol, but he was a heckuva uncle and friend to his nieces and nephews. Take a little time to read something a little wild and I guarantee you'll enjoy it. That goes double for your kids.
Faabbulous.... 2004-03-30
I was drawn to this book due to its wonderful drawings and the first page that said something about a junk yard... only when I brought the book home I learned that the wonderful drawings were no coincidence as we soon understand - and nor is the junkyard connection.
My son was immediately hooked and has asked me to read this story for the past three nights in a row. There are many things to like about this book: the large eccentric family (where the eccentric uncle fits like a glove), the very rich drawings that have you checking details on every page, and the interesting different story which seems to appeal to all ages.
There are many things to look for when reading the book together and our favorite page seems to be the one showing Uncle Andy's house "which is like an amusement park". What occupies us is our search for the twenty-five cats ("all named Sam"). Mysteriously we can only find twenty-four cats and are still looking for the missing Sam. We also have many other questions and wonders such as "Can't Bubba cook anything other then Salami and Cheese"? (that's the mother asking) and "What job did Uncle Andy assign to the young members of the family"? (that's the child asking).
The story has a very inherent artistic philosophy (art is everywhere and can be found everywhere) which is very easily understood by children and seems to perfectly suit their way of thinking. Also a lot of legitimacy to any kind of "art".
Not your rich aunt's Warhol.... 2004-02-23
From the arresting illo of a young child mimicking one of the world's most recognizable artists, this book is a treat and a treasure. James Warhola and his family are as far apart as can be from Uncle Andy, world famous artist, Pope of a following of gay hustlers, junkies, drag queens, socialites, and rock stars...or are they?
Uncle Andy to his family comes off as being more cute than threatening, with 25 cats named Sam, a house full of neat junk, and zillions of funny wigs. He's not even the only artist in the family! This is one sweet book. I kid you not
Mm-mm-Good! 2004-02-10
Over the river and through the tunnels, to Uncle Andy's house we go! It's 1962, and the Seven Warhola (Uncle Andy dropped the last "a") children their junk dealin' daddy & momma from rural PA are off to see the Wizard of Pop Art and the Grandmother Bubba in NYC.
This book and its eye-popping illustrations are So Cool! Boomers and their grandchildren will "wig out" over the kids waking Uncle Andy too early once upon a morning after.
Warhola the nephew, artist and writer did time illustrating MAD magazine and some of the delightful illustrations show that influence. The near center doozy of waking up amongst the soup, fruit, and corn flake boxes is totally awesome too.
What a Great Trip! TundraVision, Amazon Reviewer
