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.

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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 While I understand the need to challenge outdated gender norms, this approach felt reductive.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.

This is a really nice picture book....using water color like drawings, perfectly colored in appropriate tones.... The simple, easy text is poem like, & is a wonderful offering/message..... This would be such a great book to share with a little boy....or even a 'not so little' boy! A wonderful message! An asset to every library!
I received an e-ARC of the book from publisher North Star Editions/Jolly Fish Press via NetGalley in exchange for reading it & posting my own fair/honest review.

This is a such a fantastic book for boys, I actually have a daughter but I have six nephews and so many friends with young sons and this will definitely be a book I gift to them because the message is so perfect.
My only wish was that the illustrations were a little bit brighter and clearer or even the other direction of whimsical, although that may be the girl mom in me. Lol

Thank you Jolly Fish Press for the the arc via Netgalley!

While this book is illustrated beautifully, I am unsure if the poetry would be well received in a primary elementary classroom setting. As a passing book, perhaps, but it doesn't have a huge relation to the curriculum and might not be understood clearly by young boys. This might be a good book to introduce poetry in an upper elementary setting.

This is such a lovely book about being a boy in all its wonderful nuanced ways. Parents of boys who wish to impart the knowledge that you can be strong and soft, you can be brave and scared, and you can feel all of your feelings will love this book. Boys need nurturing just as much, if not more, than girls and this mom of two boys is a huge fan!

This is a beautifully illustrated story teaching boys that it’s ok to rough and tough, but also to nurture their sensitive side. Boys learn that stopping to appreciate life and everything it has to offer. Sensitivity is not just for girls, but boys as well. Some of the text may be difficult for young readers and I’m not sure the text and its comparison are really compatible.
Overall, it is a very nice book