Big boys cry

Format:

Book

Title:

Big boys cry

Author:

Howley, Jonty author illustrator

ISBN:

9781524773205

9781524773212

Edition:

First edition.

Publication:

New York : Random House, [2019]

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 23 x 29 cm

Summary:

"As they walk to his new school, a frightened Levi and his father learn that it is okay for big boys to cry." -- (Source of summary not specified)

"It's Levi's first day at a new school, and he's scared. "Papa doesn't know what to do, so he tells Levi, 'Big boys don't cry.' But the big boys in the world outside are telling him something different... Come with Levi as he learns by example that it's okay to cry." -- Jacket.

Subject(s):

Crying -- Juvenile fiction.

Fathers and sons -- Juvenile fiction.

First day of school -- Juvenile fiction.

Picture books for children.

Crying -- Fiction.

Fathers and sons -- Fiction.

First day of school -- Fiction.

Genre:

Picture books for children.

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Call Number	Status
Searching... Salem Main Library	JP Howley	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Monmouth Public Library	HOWLEY	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Newberg Public Library	MYSELF HOWLEY	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

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!

Author Notes

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.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

When Levi, a boy with wavy blonde hair that matches his father's, expresses anxiety about going to school, "Papa didn't know what to do. So he told Levi, 'Big boys don't cry.''" Levi fights tears as he walks from their seaside home, across a boardwalk, a busy town square, and to school in stylized spreads that show a vast sea and characters resembling charming wooden puppets. But en route, he observes a variety of characters expressing emotions: "a fisherman with tears in his eyes, setting off on a long trip," a weeping harpist, and "passionate poets." As Levi settles into school, he doesn't cry; the day isn't so scary. Back home, though, he finds his father in tears: "It was your first day at a new school... And I was scared." It's okay for anyone to express emotions, Howley hints-and parents, too, may need a reminder. Ages 3-7. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

On his first day of school, a young boy learns it's OK to show his feelings no matter his age.When Levi sets out for his first day at an unfamiliar school, Papa tells him, "Big boys don't cry," because he doesn't know what else to say to calm Levi's nerves. Along the way, Levi encounters men of all different ages and many walks of life stirred to tears by sadness, art, happiness, and love. At the end of the day, Levi learns his father felt scared about sending Levi to school too, and they both agree that it's just fine for big boys to cry after all. Debut author and illustrator Howley sets the tone for this quiet, vulnerable story with softly colored illustrations and a quaint, seaside village setting. Both Levi and his dad are white, while the background characters are diverse (though there is not much variation to the spectrum of brown depicted). Details around the home, such as the pictures on the wall, suggest that Levi's father is a single parent. His sensitivity makes him a refreshing representation of a father character, as does his willingness to accept and grow from his mistake. 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. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Booklist Review

Levi is crying because it's his first day at a new school. Big boys don't cry, Papa tells him, but Levi's 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! And Levi finds school isn't so scary. He makes friends and walks home with a big smile on his face. The biggest surprise of all? Papa is crying when he returns, because he was worried about Levi. And those tissue boxes on the endpapers at the finish? All empty. The details on each box represent all the people Levi has seen on his seaside walk, an enticement to read the story again. British debut author-illustrator Howley uses digitally created full-bleed pages that 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 it's OK to cry.--Lolly Gepson Copyright 2019 Booklist