Jason Rosenthal

The book starts off with encouraging phrases for a little boy. It emphasizes believing in himself, being kind, being himself, and playing what he likes. But that’s not all. It also talks to him about respecting girls, self-awareness, goodness, and aspect like crying is okay.
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We picked this book based on a recommendation. The book covers many aspects necessary for modern society and encourages breaking the stereotypes of being a boy. Our favorite is yes means yes, and everything else means no. The illustrations are playful and fit well with the words.
Dear Boy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Paris Rosenthal encourages every little boy to be himself. It will make a perfect gift for a child.
Read the full review at Nothing But Picture Books… (more)

Co-authors Paris and Jason Rosenthal, the daughter and husband of the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal, the prolific picture-book author and memoirist who passed away in 2017, present this follow-up to Dear Girl, an affirmational title which was the joint project of Paris and her mother. Just as that earlier volume offered a picture-book advice manual for young girls, so this one offers the same for young boys. Each two-page spread features some words of wisdom - be kind, make friends with those like and unlike you, and so on - which are paired with illustrations from Holly Hatam...

Like its predecessor, I found Dear Boy, engaging, appreciated the soundness of the advice offered, and found the artwork appealing. That said, I don't know that this one was as poignant to read, as Dear Girl, was. Perhaps this is owing to the fact that the earlier book was published in 2018, after Amy Krouse Rosenthal had already died, and read like a love letter from a mother who knew she was to be parted from her daughter (much as her piece in The New York Times was a love letter to her husband). However that may be, although not the equal of the earlier book, in my estimation, it is still quite impressive, when one considers that it is co-author Jason Rosenthal's debut. Recommended to anyone looking for inspirational and aspirational picture-books for boys.… (more)