Tough Guys Have Feelings Too, by Keith Negley

[via]

Perfect for:
Ages: 3-6
Occasion: expressing emotions, boys, feelings, tough guys
 
It's not always easy being a tough guy...

I know this has been spoken about at length, by a million experts (and bloggers) before, but I was still shocked at the level of gender stereotyping I came across after the Bea was born. Sure, I expected the clothes, the toys, even some of the books, but what truly shocked me was the language that we all (including myself) use.

The Bea was "sweet" and "darling" and a "princess", while her male friends were "tough" and "wild" and "such a boy". Now that she's a toddler, I hear more of the same at the park - "boys will be boys", "toughen up".

Boys being the tough guys starts young. They aren't often encouraged to really express their emotions (if it isn't "boyish" exuberance) and all of the heroes they're encouraged to look up to - Batman, Spiderman, astronauts, racing car drivers - aren't exactly known for having complex emotions or sensitivity. As angry as I feel about how little girls are spoken to and how this impacts on the rest of their lives, I also feel sad for little boys who aren't given much of an opportunity to be who they are, particularly if who they are is scared or shy or sad.

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too is the perfect anecdote if you, like me, are sick of talk that pigeon-holes our kids. Keith Negley wrote this book after struggling to find a book on expressing emotions for his young son and it's just perfect.

As it turns out, wrestlers and superheroes and cowboys and sailors all have feelings too. They feel sad, even with their friends or when they're on top of the world, even when they're supposed to be brave!

(via Upworthy)

This is a great one to get boys and dads talking (also a great one for little girls who have trouble expressing their emotions). The illustrations are cool, it's funny and the ending is just so sweet. It's a great reminder to all of us that being sad or lonely or down doesn't make you less of a superhero and that you're not alone in having those feelings.

Boys won't be boys. They will be good humans. Yes to more of this.

(via Ellie Hall)

the book and the bea x