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Big Boys Cry

(Hardback)


Publishing Details

Full Title:

Big Boys Cry

Contributors:

By (Author) Jonty Howley

ISBN:

9781524773205

Publisher:

Random House USA Inc

Imprint:

Ballantine Books Inc.

Publication Date:

11th June 2019

UK Publication Date:

29th May 2019

Country:

United States

Classifications

Readership:

Children

Fiction/Non-fiction:

Fiction

Prizes:

Nominated for Ezra Jack Keats New Writer/Illustrator Award 2020

Physical Properties

Physical Format:

Hardback

Number of Pages:

48

Dimensions:

Width 279mm, Height 216mm

Description

Let boys cry! This picture book imagines a world in which boys are encouraged to express their full range of emotions. It's Levi's first day at a new school, and he's scared. When his father tries to comfort Levi, he falls back on the line his own father used with him- "Big boys don't cry." Though he immediately understands his misstep, he can't find the words to right the ship, and Levi leaves for school, still in need of reassurance. Fortunately, along his walk to school, Levi sees instance after instance of grown men openly expressing their sadness and fear. His learned mantra, "Big boys don't cry," slowly weakens, and by the time he's at school he releases a tear. Once he's there, things aren't so bad after all, and on his walk home he sees the characters he's encountered on his journey in the aftermath of their emotional expression. Upon his arrival home, he finds his father waiting for him on their porch, tears in his eyes. His father is able to admit that he was scared for Levi, and the two embrace, closer than before. Jonty Howley's gorgeous debut paints the world we wish existed for our boys, and offers a path there! This story is the truest interpretation of the notion that we should "let boys be boys"- let them express the full range of their emotions, vulnerable parts and all!

Reviews

"On his first day of school, a young boy learns it's OK to show his feelings no matter his age...The overall lesson about men showing tears is made all the more effective with its representation of a range of feelings beyond sadness. A compassionate story that encourages openness and honesty about emotions."

-Kirkus


Levi is crying because its his first day at a new school. Big boys dont cry, Papa tells him, but Levis
journey as he walks proves otherwise. First he sees a fisherman weeping, then a harpist, grandparents, new parents, rich men, poor men, army men, brainy men, and even baker men. Big boys were crying everywhere!
Digitally created full-bleed pages highlight the bright pastels of the seashore.Children will have fun seeking out the spurting blue drops on each unique face, as they understand that its
OK to cry.Booklist

Author Bio

JONTY HOWLEY is an illustrator and musician based in the UK. He has done editorial and design work, but his heart lies with writing and illustrating children's stories. This is his first picture book.

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