I requested the book because the cover really appealed to me. In terms of content, the book is calm and focuses beautifully on a harmonious interplay between text and image. I think it's nice when pictures in read-aloud books don't reflect the words that are added to the text 1:1. I still think it worked out well here.

What I found a little confusing was imagining how the pages would look if they were perceived as a double page, because I wasn't able to do that with the TH Reader. I'm not sure and suspect the white pages with the text centred and an illustration opposite are intended as such or will there be picture content inserted later?

In terms of content, I found the statements of ‘and the power of healing’ and ‘the courage of patience’ quite detached. Rhythmically they fall out of the previous scheme in my opinion. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the pacing and rhythm took me out of it a bit. Especially because the opposite side of ‘the courage of patience’ is the one where they both walk over the tree trunk? That didn't fit for me in terms of whats written and showed in the art.

I really liked the pages with the birds of prey! A bit darker and great textures! However, once again I didn't find the story of the pictures to be entirely plausible in relation to what the text says. As an adult, I can already see why fighting is not desirable. The words tell the story of ‘falshoof of fighting’ ‘strong shield of slowly’ and ‘sharp sword of sorry’, but why do the two of them experience this mix of feelings? Have they lost their way? Was the child afraid? Did the adult catch the child in this emotion or did the adult apologise that they were both lost? Why did the moment of sorry occur? I would like to see more clarity in the story told in the pictures here.

The ending rounds off the story nicely and is similar to the beginning, creating a really nice framework for the whole book. Overall, I really like the pictures and the message, I would just like to see a bit more clarity in the story told in the pictures.

I found this book to be delightful. It allows boys to realize sensitivity is more than acceptable. It was inspirational and beautifully written.

The cover I like pretty much. One don't really can see that it is a book for children but it fits to that genre as well. I like the colours of the cover, everything looks in harmony and fits. Also I like mountains which is why I feel addressed.

The illustrations in the cover are great as well. I like the painting style. I only miss coloured paintings in the ebook because they would look much nicer than in black and white and in the ebook I think it doesn't cost more to show it coloured.

The format of the ebook it not really fitting that is why the illustrations or the texts are cut or shown in a strange way. That is why I cannot really say anything about the getup in the real (printed) book.

The text is nice to read and fitting. I liked it.

All in all I cannot recommend the ebook-format but I would say that you can try the printed one, or they are going to work on the ebook-getup and it will look better soon :-)

An important topic

"When You're a Boy" talks about an important topic and I like the thought behind it. The illustrations are beautiful. I enjoyed the text, however I feel like there's no explanation, which is necessary for ages 4-6. Parents, expect a lot of questions when reading.

A beautiful message with a modest yet thoughtful execution.
This book challenges the outdated idea that boys should only “be boys” in the traditional sense. Instead, it gently reminds us that boys can be gentle, tender, observant, calm, and appreciate beauty in the world around them—not just strong and wild as society often expects.
A quiet but powerful read that encourages emotional depth and self-acceptance.

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.