What Little Boys Are Made Of: Loving Who They Are and Who They Will Become

by Jim Daly (Painter)

Mischief dons blue jeans and totes a fishing pole in Jim Daly's Americana artwork featured throughout this unforgettable exploration of boyhood. Sweet writings express virtues gathered like treasures along a boy's journey to becoming a man in this gift for sons, fathers, and anyone in love with a boy, little or big, who dreams of lazy days with bullfrogs and buddies.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Jim Daly (born July 22, 1961) is the head of Focus on the Family, an international Christiancommunications ministry based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Daly is also the main host of the Focus on the Family radio program.

Daly grew up in Southern California. He was abandoned by his alcoholic father at age 5, and orphaned by his mother's death from cancer when he was 9. He was then placed in a foster home, initially in Morongo Valley California, until he moved in with his older brothers and then with his father, who eventually turned back to alcohol and died. By the time that Daly was a senior in high school, he was living on his own.

Daly experienced a Christian conversion at 15 while attending a camp run by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He went on to study at California State University, San Bernardino, and eventually earned his Master of Business Administration from Regis University.

Daly worked in the paper industry until he was recruited to join Focus on the Family, at one-third of his six-figure private sector pay.

He has served at Focus for 16 years in a variety of positions before ascending to the presidency.

Reviews

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illustrations with quotes from books and poems and famous people regarding little boys, with a few Bible verses woven in.

There comes a time in every rightly constructed boy’s life when he has a raging desire to go somewhere and dig for hidden treasure. - Mark Twain

In boyhood I have had more delight on a haymow with two companions and a big dog - delight they came nearer intoxication- than I have ever had in all the subsequent holidays of my life. John Burroughs

Boys are found everywhere - on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to…A boy is Truth with dirt on his face, Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket. - Alan Marshall Beck

Boy defined: Nature’s answer to that false belief that there is no such thing as perpetual motion.

[Chet Boronski · Rating 4 out of 5]

To someone born in 1951, this book is a nostalgic gift. There illustrations are constant tugs at heart strings. Many of the quotes are dear. While the whole reminds me of all the blessings in my life, it also makes me sad for the many children who will not have what those in my generation did... independent childhood. For the most part, we were not on event schedules, had few fears, and had time to play and imagine

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on the aspects and strengths of being a boy as seen through snips from literature, the scriptures and poetry.

[LA · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet book about little boys. Main drawback is having the bible verses throughout.

[J A · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are stunning! They and the writings celebrate classic boyhood. The book is bittersweet and nostalgic, as much of the subject matter seems to no longer apply to boys who, these days, seem more interested in electronics and instant gratification. The book is a reminder of the imagination that little boys possess and what they can do with it if allowed to get out and breathe the open air.

[Darci · Rating 3 out of 5]

i thought about buying this as a cute/coffee table book so i borrowed it from the library first- it has precious paintings of boys and cute boy quotes.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book of poems and sections from books about boys. Some favorites were pieces from Farmer Boy and Winnie the Pooh.