We know the stereotypes of what “boys and girls should be.” And there are several books out there that talk about how girls should break that mold and be bold, brave, aggressive, smart, funny, and basically be “like a boy” and not the shy, demure “should be” of a girl. This time Blake Nuto takes that concept, but for boys. A boy should be like the cruel wild, but the narrator is also saying they have learned about kindness. There are several parts to this concept of “you should be X” but the opposite is a good lesson (perhaps even a better lesson), too. Nuto’s When You’re a Boy is a poetic, simple text story about a (I assume) father and child. They are out in nature, the two experiencing the things around them, and how the narrator tells what they have learned about being a “real boy.”
The illustrations are also poetic. They are colorful, soft, and I think they might be watercolors. They are earthy and while slightly darker in some areas, they also have light colors, pinks and are soft and gentle. They bring out the theme without overwhelming the text, which is minimalist in nature. The details to the imagery are also simpler, but does not skimp on what is needed to express the feeling the author/illustrator wants.
I wish this book was around when my nephews were young (as it is I have to wait until later November 2025 for a physical copy) to give to my adopted grand-nephew) because it is a nice way to talk about the idea of “masculinity” and the “right” way to be a boy. In the end, you can make a case for both ideas, because it is about the balance between them. And while it is not “perfect” I am looking forward to recommending it later this year and giving as a holiday gift.
Read via an online reader copy.