This is a very sweet picture book for boys. It reinforces that it is okay for boys to be sensitive and kind. This type of messaging is especially important nowadays, as it is a great way to discourage traits of toxic masculinity often seen within our modern culture.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Before reading When You Are a Boy, I’ll admit I was skeptical. Some reviews on Goodreads suggested that the book felt reductive—implying that it asks boys to reject masculinity entirely in favor of traditionally "feminine" traits. But after actually reading it, I realized that’s not what the book does at all.

Rather than dismissing masculinity, When You Are a Boy expands it. It acknowledges the traditional messages boys receive—"Yes, when you're a boy, you are taught to be like the roaring ocean"—but then gently reminds them that they can also embody other powerful qualities: the fierceness of flowers, the beauty of healing, the strength in tenderness. It’s not about erasing masculinity; it’s about making sure boys know they don’t have to be trapped in one rigid definition of it.

And honestly? In an era where Andrew Tate, red-pill culture, and incel ideology push a warped, hyper-aggressive vision of manhood, this message is more necessary than ever. Young boys deserve to see that their worth isn’t tied solely to dominance, detachment, or strength in the narrowest sense. This book gives them that permission.

That said, if there’s one thing I’d change, it would be the length. For the price, it feels a bit too short. I also would have loved deeper explanations of why concepts like flowers, healing, or softness are just as powerful as traditional masculinity—and how kids can apply those lessons in real life. A more expanded discussion might even win over some skeptics who misinterpret the book’s intentions.

Final Thoughts: When You Are a Boy is a much-needed, beautifully written book that widens the definition of boyhood rather than restricting it. It challenges outdated norms without erasing anything—and in today’s cultural landscape, that’s a vital message. Highly recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Flux for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book with my son, who is 6. I found it to be cute as a mom of a boy, but most of it went over my little one's head. I had to explain what the story was about to him. I would recommend this to parents as a reflective book as to how they may need to change the way they are raising their boys. It is a book that speaks to society's expectations of boys versus girls. How do our expectations shape the way that we speak to our boys, how we raise them, and the expectations that we put on the boys we raise?

It's a beautifully written and illustrated book about boyhood and what that can be outside of rigid, gender expectations. It's a great read for children and their parents to read together.

As a mother of two small boys trying to raise them to be better than a lot of the role models they see in the world right now, I love this book. It shows boys they don’t have to be what the world says they should. They can be more and better. Emotions re good. Admiring the beauty of the world is encouraged. A must have for any parents of young boys!

I truly enjoyed reading this children’s book. And as a boy more I completely understand the want your boys to strong but the wish for them to be able to stop and enjoy the color and smell of a flower. I will definitely read this to my children and hope that it inspires them to know they are capable of being both strong and gentle.

https://www.instagram.com/sewstitchingcute4you?igsh=ZmhwY2txcDc1NTY0&utm_source=qr

Netgalley ARC - this is so important and beautifully done! I think artistic stories that challenge ingrained views of masculinity are essential right now.

We loved this book! My son is 3 and loved the colors and images of the illustration. A lot of the images looked similar to where we live which really enticed him. We speak a lot about how it’s okay to be a soft and kind man so he loved this book. We will definitely be purchasing it for his shelf!

I LOVED this book!! It’s gorgeous illustrations draw you in and it names so many strong character qualities we all need. I agree with other reviewers that I wish it was more gender inclusive and didn’t stick to such a narrow definition of masculinity but I’m also a woman with a daughter and so perhaps not the intended audience.

Beautiful! This has such a simple message and structure, supported by beautiful illustrations but with immense power in its subtle metaphors. The challenge it offers to the messages so many boys receive is perfectly pitched: not dismissing the importance of the qualities promoted, but celebrating the power of kindness, emotional integrity and sincerity. I can’t wait to share it with some of our younger classes.

I love the illustrations here! I like that the message wasn't that it's bad to be strong, but that it's also strong to be kind.

I had high hopes for "When You're a Boy" by Blake Nuto, but unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with me. The book attempts to explore themes around gender roles, masculinity, and societal expectations, but it falls flat in its delivery. The central message seems to suggest that boys should reject their natural instincts and behavior, pushing them to adopt a “softer” demeanor, traditionally associated with femininity, rather than embracing who they are by nature.

What’s most frustrating is the author's insistence that boys must change to fit a certain mold of emotional sensitivity, almost as if their inherent qualities are inherently flawed. While I understand the need to challenge outdated gender norms, this approach felt reductive. The outcome isn't realistic; instead of encouraging boys to find a balance or accept the full spectrum of their emotions, it seemed to push an unrealistic expectation that masculinity must be soft to be "right." It doesn’t acknowledge that being true to oneself, regardless of gender, is where real growth lies. Same is the manner where I oppose the very meaning of feminism as for some or all females to behave as males, rather they must get equal value and rights as their male counterparts in society, which we can call as a justified approach.

While the words was clear, the overall message felt irrelevant to today's world, where we should be encouraging everyone to be authentic and true to their own identities, rather than trying to force them into arbitrary categories.

Beautiful book with messages to support emotional development in young boys. I enjoyed the illustrations and the messages.

I asked my nephew to read this with my grandson and they talked about it for hours. The illustrations are painterly but simple and easy to interpret . The best thing though apparently was those hours exploring what society expects of boys. A great conversation starter.

WHEN YOU'RE A BOY dissects the pressure boys face to conform to traditional masculine behaviour (aka toxic masculinity) that may not be in their best interest. It shows the journey of a boy and his father, who openly expressed his emotions, doesn't cover supposed weaknesses by toughening up or other such nonsense, and allows the child to lean into his true, authentic self. The illustrations are sweeping, stunning, evocative. Truly an important book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Flux / Jollyfish Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When You're A Boy, written by Blake Nuto, is a sweet book written for young readers. This book, with beautiful words and illustrations, talks about some of the things that are expected of you when you are a boy, but also ways that it is okay to act too. I loved that this book goes against stereotypes of how children of different genders should act, and reminds young readers that it is okay to feel all the feels!

Thank you to NetGalley, and to the author and publisher of this book for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book about banishing the age-old expectations of boys and men.

The story is told through a beautiful nature narrative and shows a little boy and his father exploring the wild world around them.

The author has expertly shown what used to be, and sometimes still is, expected of boys; they are told to be permanently strong, never show fear or weakness etc.
They are expected to be "like swift sweeping rivers", but instead he has found "the wisdom of waiting, the courage of patience and the strength of contentement".

This book for me was a beautiful poem, wrapped in a children's story and wrapped again in beautiful illustrations.

An enjoyable and important read for both children and adults!

I love the use of poetic language and structure to defy the conventional narrative that boys are meant grow up to be fighters and delight in the pursuit of aggression. Instead the text highlights the power, strength, courage and wisdom of being reflective of enjoying nature of being you. The images are beautiful and complement the words. The placement of the words is also highly effective from the dancing letters to the string line along the log. There is such a wealth of discussion that so many children will enjoy with adults. It will change opinions and help those who enjoy natures, who enjoy being considerate and feel comfortable to explore the world around them feel that they have a voice.

This sweet story wonderfully illustrates that gentleness, kindness, and artistic expression aren't qualities reserved only for girls. The spectacular, dreamy illustrations enhance a powerful message about breaking gender stereotypes. Boys aren't required to be tough all the time, and this short, engaging read demonstrates that beautifully. Highly recommended for both girls and boys - a perfect tool for parents and educators looking to nurture children's authentic selves beyond limiting stereotypes.

Thank you North Star Editions | Jolly Fish Press & NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What a wonderful book for boys! As a mother of 2 young boys I appreciate this book so much! Sometimes, we as parents need the help of a good book to express our feelings or even better explain ourselves. This book does just that! It is beautifully written (Also contains great vocabulary for children to learn). Overall it just leaves you with warm, heartfelt feelings while also teaching boys that they can be, have and do more than just the stereotypical boy things.