We live in a society which tells boys that they need to be strong, that they need to be leaders, play sports and show no fear. However, these behaviours don’t come naturally to most, so what does it mean for kids when they don’t think they measure up and then aren’t able to share how they feel? Boys need to be reassured from a young age that it’s ok to show their emotions and that they can be whoever they want to be.
This beautifully illustrated book celebrates the uniqueness of every individual and encourages you to stop thinking about strength as something purely physical.
The pages follow a young boy as he learns about himself and his own strengths. He is encouraged to try a wide variety of activities and to always be curious about the world around him. We see him baking cakes, planting vegetables, reading books and playing instruments.
When he’s not feeling brave, he asks for help and when he feels like crying, he just lets his emotions out. He dreams of all the things he might achieve in the future but learns that to get there he needs to work hard. The narrator inspires him to listen, to be kind, to help make the world a better place but ultimately, just to be himself.
‘A Boy Like You’ teaches children that strength comes from knowing who you are and being comfortable with that, not from flexing your muscles or keeping your feelings locked up inside.