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What Little Boys Are Made Of: A Modern Nursery Rhyme
What are little boys made of? Discover and inspire a new generation of loving, unique boys in this modern retelling of the classic nursery rhyme!
Celebrate all the things that make boys special! Elaborating on the well-known nursery rhyme, this special story moves beyond stereotypes and encourages readers to inspire a new generation of wonderful boys! Every child is filled with boundless potential, and this empowering book encourages every little boy to feel confident in who he is and what he loves to do, loving himself inside and out.
Celebrate all the things that make boys special! Elaborating on the well-known nursery rhyme, this special story moves beyond stereotypes and encourages readers to inspire a new generation of wonderful boys! Every child is filled with boundless potential, and this empowering book encourages every little boy to feel confident in who he is and what he loves to do, loving himself inside and out.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
40 pages, Hardcover
Published December 6, 2022
22 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Leonard Hill
45 books104 followersSusanna is the New York Times Bestselling Author of MOON'S FIRST FRIENDS: ONE GIANT LEAP FOR FRIENDSHIP, and the award-winning author of over 25 more books for children, including PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS, CAN'T SLEEP WITHOUT SHEEP, and the popular WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH series. Her books have been translated into French, Dutch, German, Turkish, Japanese, and Chinese. Susanna lives in New York's Mid-Hudson Valley with her children and her two rescue dogs. She loves chocolate, animals, and being outdoors.Please visit her website at www.susannahill.com and "Like" Susanna Leonard Hill on Face Book!
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 7, 2022
As adorable as expected!
When I read “What Little Girls Are Made Of” a month ago, I wished with all my heart that there would be a similar book for boys. And voila! This one turned up in my life!
Society always makes many assumptions about how girls should live their lives, and this has been criticised aplenty. However, there are an equal number of judgemental statements made about the way boys should follow a pre-set definition of masculinity, but this often goes ignored. Whether it is the ridiculous “boys don’t cry” or the outdated “boys don’t play with dolls” or the restrictive “boys don’t dabble in art/dance”, boys too have suffered over the years. This book throws the traditional idea of “things boys must do” on its head and presents a more modern, realistic, and appropriate list of the same.
The book begins with the introductory lines of the 19th century nursery rhyme titled "What Are Little Boys Made Of?" These go: “What are little boys made of? Snips, snails and puppy-dogs' tails.” (Just in case you didn’t know, the second half of this rhyme is more popular, the one that declares that little girls are made of “Sugar and spice and everything nice.” Both the ideas are equally flawed.) The content then provides an extended and diverse list of what little boys actually do. The book doesn’t shy away from any action not considered “boyish”, and even depicts crying and cooking among many other activities. There are some lovely affirmations at the end that little boys can repeat daily until the positivity seeps into their psyche.
The language is quite easy to understand, and the content having a mix of poetic rhymes and text works to its advantage.
The illustrations by Natalie Vasilica add the perfect charm to the book. What I especially loved is how inclusive the sketches were, even to the point of showing a boy with long hair.
Strongly recommended to every little boy and to every parent who wants to teach their sons how they are wonderful and diverse human beings who needn’t be restricted by the mould society forces them into just by virtue of their XY chromosomes. Suited for ages 3-8.
5 dazzling stars.
My thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Kids, Sourcebooks Wonderland, and NetGalley for the DRC of “What Little Boys Are Made Of”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
When I read “What Little Girls Are Made Of” a month ago, I wished with all my heart that there would be a similar book for boys. And voila! This one turned up in my life!
Society always makes many assumptions about how girls should live their lives, and this has been criticised aplenty. However, there are an equal number of judgemental statements made about the way boys should follow a pre-set definition of masculinity, but this often goes ignored. Whether it is the ridiculous “boys don’t cry” or the outdated “boys don’t play with dolls” or the restrictive “boys don’t dabble in art/dance”, boys too have suffered over the years. This book throws the traditional idea of “things boys must do” on its head and presents a more modern, realistic, and appropriate list of the same.
The book begins with the introductory lines of the 19th century nursery rhyme titled "What Are Little Boys Made Of?" These go: “What are little boys made of? Snips, snails and puppy-dogs' tails.” (Just in case you didn’t know, the second half of this rhyme is more popular, the one that declares that little girls are made of “Sugar and spice and everything nice.” Both the ideas are equally flawed.) The content then provides an extended and diverse list of what little boys actually do. The book doesn’t shy away from any action not considered “boyish”, and even depicts crying and cooking among many other activities. There are some lovely affirmations at the end that little boys can repeat daily until the positivity seeps into their psyche.
The language is quite easy to understand, and the content having a mix of poetic rhymes and text works to its advantage.
The illustrations by Natalie Vasilica add the perfect charm to the book. What I especially loved is how inclusive the sketches were, even to the point of showing a boy with long hair.
Strongly recommended to every little boy and to every parent who wants to teach their sons how they are wonderful and diverse human beings who needn’t be restricted by the mould society forces them into just by virtue of their XY chromosomes. Suited for ages 3-8.
5 dazzling stars.
My thanks to SOURCEBOOKS Kids, Sourcebooks Wonderland, and NetGalley for the DRC of “What Little Boys Are Made Of”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
December 13, 2022
This is quite a book with very deep observations and study on this gender oriented topic. This can only be done when a 'Mother' start writing about her experiences.
This picture book contains every damn fact which can only be known to the parents while bringing their kids up. My 2 favourite quoted lines from this poetry are:
"Little boys might make mistakes, but they try and try again. They are learning on-the-go, and get better as they grow,"
"What are little boys made of? The truest answer is: There is no single recipe. Be the boy you want to be! Litleboys are made of dreams."
My NetGalley reviews: https://www.netgalley.com/book/255158...
This picture book contains every damn fact which can only be known to the parents while bringing their kids up. My 2 favourite quoted lines from this poetry are:
"Little boys might make mistakes, but they try and try again. They are learning on-the-go, and get better as they grow,"
"What are little boys made of? The truest answer is: There is no single recipe. Be the boy you want to be! Litleboys are made of dreams."
My NetGalley reviews: https://www.netgalley.com/book/255158...
November 7, 2022
I absolutely love this book as a parent to two boys. I love that it talks about being compassionate and empathetic and that it's ok to express your emotions . I feel like our society still stigmatize our boys if they don't fall into the male gender stereotypes of being strong and athletic. I hope there will be more media like this book that breaks down gender stereotypes for boys just like there are now a lot of media that defies gender stereotypes for girls. I hope the publisher will consider putting out a board book edition.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2022
I love that the covers show how much diversity was in the book. It was sweet and I loved the affirmations. This is part of a series that is both what little boys and little girls are made of. While each book is different, it doesn't reinforce stereotypes. I love that so many different kids will see themselves in this book.
4 stars.
4 stars.
September 14, 2022
5 Stars
What a heartwarming little book this is! We see quite a few books for girls and women empowerment. But we also need books for boys. Little ones need to know they don’t have to adhere to the rigid stereotypes of who they should be. This book opens up the endless possibilities of what little boys are made of and who they can be.
I love the part about boys expressing their emotions and crying when they feel like it. Another favorite is where the boys know it’s okay to get things wrong and practice harder to learn and become better.
Isn’t that what we should be telling the kids? They don’t have to be invincible or correct all the time! They just have to be open to learning when they are not right. The affirmations at the end of the book can help the little ones become confident, compassionate, and kind.
The illustrations are a treat, and I mean it. Kiddo books, for me, are more about illustrations. The pictures on the pages can directly sit in the child’s mind. Kids notice details without seeming to and can recollect them at random. The kiddo could decorate a cupcake better than I did. ;)
The color scheme on each page is perfect. The illustrations are inclusive and diverse. I wish there was a little more inclusivity, but this is good too.
The font is big and easy to read. I love picture books with large fonts, so that’s another plus. The language is simple enough for little ones to understand. Don’t look for the rhythm (that can affect your reading experience). Go with the flow and enjoy when you see rhyming verses. Read the book with your little boys and talk to them about things that matter.
To summarize, What Little Boys Are Made Of is a beautiful and adorable book that breaks stereotypes and gently nudges kids to be confident in their skin. They deserve to be happy and loved.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids, and Sourcebooks Wonderland. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a heartwarming little book this is! We see quite a few books for girls and women empowerment. But we also need books for boys. Little ones need to know they don’t have to adhere to the rigid stereotypes of who they should be. This book opens up the endless possibilities of what little boys are made of and who they can be.
I love the part about boys expressing their emotions and crying when they feel like it. Another favorite is where the boys know it’s okay to get things wrong and practice harder to learn and become better.
Isn’t that what we should be telling the kids? They don’t have to be invincible or correct all the time! They just have to be open to learning when they are not right. The affirmations at the end of the book can help the little ones become confident, compassionate, and kind.
The illustrations are a treat, and I mean it. Kiddo books, for me, are more about illustrations. The pictures on the pages can directly sit in the child’s mind. Kids notice details without seeming to and can recollect them at random. The kiddo could decorate a cupcake better than I did. ;)
The color scheme on each page is perfect. The illustrations are inclusive and diverse. I wish there was a little more inclusivity, but this is good too.
The font is big and easy to read. I love picture books with large fonts, so that’s another plus. The language is simple enough for little ones to understand. Don’t look for the rhythm (that can affect your reading experience). Go with the flow and enjoy when you see rhyming verses. Read the book with your little boys and talk to them about things that matter.
To summarize, What Little Boys Are Made Of is a beautiful and adorable book that breaks stereotypes and gently nudges kids to be confident in their skin. They deserve to be happy and loved.
I received an ARC from NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Kids, and Sourcebooks Wonderland. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 8, 2022
WHAT LITTLE BOYS ARE MADE OF: A MODERN NURSERY RHYME written by Susanna Leonard Hill and beautifully illustrated by Natalie Vasilica is due to be released on December 6th, 2022 and will make the perfect Christmas gift for any young boy.
I was curious to see how the author altered the original "What Boys Are Made Of" poem to better reflect modern society and I was extremely impressed with the results.
The original author of the rhyme is uncertain, but may be English poet Robert Southey (1774–1843). The words were:
"What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Snips, snails
And puppy-dogs' tails
That's what little boys are made of"
This poem is (rightly) considered to be sexist and as such you don't see it used very often for kids in today's world.
Susanna Leonard Hill has changed the sexist lyrics to be much more inclusive and to reflect the reality that boys can (and do) come in all shapes and sizes and have personalities that are varied and diverse.
The illustrations in this beautiful children's book also reflect the multicultural world we live in. There are children of many different races reflected in the illustrations. There is also a boy in a wheelchair depicted in this book. This is fantastic as children will be able to find pictures of children who look like them, which is very important. No longer are white children the only ones depicted in children's literature.
I rare this title as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book
I was curious to see how the author altered the original "What Boys Are Made Of" poem to better reflect modern society and I was extremely impressed with the results.
The original author of the rhyme is uncertain, but may be English poet Robert Southey (1774–1843). The words were:
"What are little boys made of?
What are little boys made of?
Snips, snails
And puppy-dogs' tails
That's what little boys are made of"
This poem is (rightly) considered to be sexist and as such you don't see it used very often for kids in today's world.
Susanna Leonard Hill has changed the sexist lyrics to be much more inclusive and to reflect the reality that boys can (and do) come in all shapes and sizes and have personalities that are varied and diverse.
The illustrations in this beautiful children's book also reflect the multicultural world we live in. There are children of many different races reflected in the illustrations. There is also a boy in a wheelchair depicted in this book. This is fantastic as children will be able to find pictures of children who look like them, which is very important. No longer are white children the only ones depicted in children's literature.
I rare this title as 5 out of 5 Stars. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book
November 19, 2022
This a lovely, affirming book for boys that encourages them to be whole people with limitless potential. Equal weight is given to their ideas, contributions, dreams, and feelings. None of it is really specific to being a boy, but framing the story that way may resonate well with preschoolers/pre-K kids who are working out their identities and learning to identify with various roles. It is possibly a bit long for the targeted age range, so readers may want to focus on the sections that are most relevant to their audience.
The illustrations are lively, detailed, and very inclusive. Lots of boys will be able to read this and see themselves on the page. This has a wonderfully uplifting message and would be a great read for home and school to set a positive tone for the day!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
The illustrations are lively, detailed, and very inclusive. Lots of boys will be able to read this and see themselves on the page. This has a wonderfully uplifting message and would be a great read for home and school to set a positive tone for the day!
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
August 22, 2022
Okay, phew, wiping the tears. I love this book & I think a huge part of why I love it is that there is a little boy with long hair illustrated. My 4yo (who looks exactly like the little boy pictured) was so excited to see someone in a book look like him. Breaking down the stereotypical expectations and society’s gender roles are REALLY important in our household. This book does a great job of both. Paired with the book about little girls, these books together would be the perfect gift to any child. My only wish is that there was a character who wasn’t gendered.
Thank you so much to NetGalley & SourceBooks Kids for this advanced copy preview! We will definitely be purchasing for our family & requesting at our local libraries!
Thank you so much to NetGalley & SourceBooks Kids for this advanced copy preview! We will definitely be purchasing for our family & requesting at our local libraries!
September 5, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I appreciated this book's concept and execution a tiny bit more than I did the girl's version of this book (side note: I wish there was a nongendered version as well!) mostly because I feel boys need to be de-programmed from toxic masculinity much more than girls need to be told they can be strong. ((I find that most strong girls know they are strong, the world needs to just accept it))
The same critiques still apply here, in that I've read other books with the same title and concept and this one doesn't do enough to stand out, even though the illustrations were very inclusive of many different people who identify as boys.
I appreciated this book's concept and execution a tiny bit more than I did the girl's version of this book (side note: I wish there was a nongendered version as well!) mostly because I feel boys need to be de-programmed from toxic masculinity much more than girls need to be told they can be strong. ((I find that most strong girls know they are strong, the world needs to just accept it))
The same critiques still apply here, in that I've read other books with the same title and concept and this one doesn't do enough to stand out, even though the illustrations were very inclusive of many different people who identify as boys.
September 9, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! It was great to read a book that encourages compassion in little boys. It demonstrated the diversity and complexity of boys - not all of them are rough and tumble. My little boy's favorite color is purple and he loves to bake cookies, but he also loves watching PJ Masks. it was nice to find a book as layered as he is. The book is very ethnically diverse, which is great, but I would also like to see more diversity in terms of ableism in the illustrations. Perhaps one of the characters could have a hearing aid?
*I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley!
*I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley!
October 26, 2022
I received an electronic ARC from SOURCEBOOKS Kids through NetGalley.
3.5 stars rounded up
I appreciate the message which moves beyond the simple nursery rhyme about little boys. Leonard Hill takes readers beyond that to everything little boys can be. They have a broad range of emotions and interests and can work to be whomever they wish to be. I appreciate the affirmations included at the end along with the emphasis on being anything they wish to be. The artwork captures the breadth of little boys so readers can identify with at least one character throughout. Empowering book for families to share.
3.5 stars rounded up
I appreciate the message which moves beyond the simple nursery rhyme about little boys. Leonard Hill takes readers beyond that to everything little boys can be. They have a broad range of emotions and interests and can work to be whomever they wish to be. I appreciate the affirmations included at the end along with the emphasis on being anything they wish to be. The artwork captures the breadth of little boys so readers can identify with at least one character throughout. Empowering book for families to share.
December 29, 2022
Self-esteem books for boys are few and far between, and this one has lots of nice affirmations and sweet, diverse illustrations about the value of boys and the good things they bring to the world. However, the rhyme scheme often feels forced, and the occasional weird phrasing makes the book seem more saccharine than it actually is. Nonetheless, this is a nice choice for someone looking for a general, secular book encouraging boys' self-esteem.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a temporary digital copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2024
This was a book we had on our birthday list and received this year— it’s read almost every night. My son loves it! I love the messaging and the affirmations at the end of the book.
The vocabulary is also great in this book and has taught my son new words that he loves to hear each time we read (“unique” is our current favorite). What a wonderful book for little boys to read and learn that they are special, they feel deeply just like anyone else, and they can be unique and interested in whatever makes their hearts happy. 💙
The vocabulary is also great in this book and has taught my son new words that he loves to hear each time we read (“unique” is our current favorite). What a wonderful book for little boys to read and learn that they are special, they feel deeply just like anyone else, and they can be unique and interested in whatever makes their hearts happy. 💙
August 21, 2022
#WhatLittleBoysAreMadeOf #SusannaLeonardHill #NatalieVasilica #SourcebooksKids #NetGalley
This is a wonderful book full of positive affirmations for little boys. What are little boys made of? Little boys are made of dreams and endless possibility. A little boy can do anything, be anything, he is enough, and he is loved.
The colorful illustrations by Natalie Vasilica and the joyful affirmations by Susanna Leonard Hill, make this ARC a valuable addition to a little boy’s library.
This is a wonderful book full of positive affirmations for little boys. What are little boys made of? Little boys are made of dreams and endless possibility. A little boy can do anything, be anything, he is enough, and he is loved.
The colorful illustrations by Natalie Vasilica and the joyful affirmations by Susanna Leonard Hill, make this ARC a valuable addition to a little boy’s library.
August 30, 2022
I recieved a copy of this book though netgalley for an honest review..
What little boys are made of - is in interesting question that this book explores with delight and variety of ideas. I love that the end is affirmations for little boys to say to remind themselves of how great they are. It makes me want to read what little girls are made of, and possibly what little kids are made of for those kids who don't really fit gender norms!
What little boys are made of - is in interesting question that this book explores with delight and variety of ideas. I love that the end is affirmations for little boys to say to remind themselves of how great they are. It makes me want to read what little girls are made of, and possibly what little kids are made of for those kids who don't really fit gender norms!
October 23, 2022
It's refreshing to see more books coming out that give boys permission to break outdated stigmas and evolve in their own unique way. I love that What Little Boys are Made Of gives children the opportunity to envision themselves as they are, and as they may want to be, with the underlying message that whatever they choose is okay. The illustrations we're engaging and appealing. It is exactly the type of book I would put into my preschool class library.
November 30, 2022
What a marvelous update to an old sing something rhyme. The old rhyme was what are little boys made of snakes and snails and puppy dog tails, and just all these things that we considered so vehemently boy. This book says boys are made of everything and can be anything. They can be happy. They can be sad. They can be in touch with their feelings. They’re helpful. They’re kind. You name it boys can be it. It works quite well, and illustrations are lovely.
August 5, 2022
I adored this book as much as the one about what little girls are made of. I really like that it's a broad definition with an array of examples, leaving it up to the individual child to decide what they want to be. The pictures were beautiful, the rhyme was smooth and it flowed really well. I will need to buy a copy for my boys when it comes out.
August 13, 2022
As a mother of boys, I wish there were books like this when they were young. I loved everything about this book. The illustrations are beautiful. It was encouraging words and affirmations for me. This story flowed very well together. I feel that every little boy should have this book. My grandson (coming soon) will have this book when it's published. He will have a copy at home and at my house.
December 21, 2022
I received this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review
What a lovely book for little boys! This is such an inspiring book with a powerful message about gender roles and sterotypes written in a way that children could easily understand. Society has this stereotypical idea that boys should not cry/shouldn't show their feelings because that means they're too sensitive but WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS! And with the help of this book we've come one step closer to our goal, I'm really happy that this generation is changing!
What are little boys made of?
The truest answer is:
There is no single recipe.
Be the boy you want to be!
Little boys are made of dreams and endless possibilty!"
What a lovely book for little boys! This is such an inspiring book with a powerful message about gender roles and sterotypes written in a way that children could easily understand. Society has this stereotypical idea that boys should not cry/shouldn't show their feelings because that means they're too sensitive but WE NEED TO CHANGE THIS! And with the help of this book we've come one step closer to our goal, I'm really happy that this generation is changing!
August 8, 2022
Great book that challenges the in a box version of what a boy is. They are strong, smart and social but they are also artistic, emotional and have compassion.
Great book that will be sitting next to What little Girls are made of in my library
Great book that will be sitting next to What little Girls are made of in my library
Want to read
May 11, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through Edelweiss.
September 9, 2022
What are boys made of ? This is the perfect book to read to our children that boys are allowed to have feelings, questions and be dirty. That we all are made of such great things not so terrible.
November 27, 2022
* I read children’s books to my service dog, and he interacts with the book.
He have this 4 stars, he likes the positivity in the book and the activities the boys did.
He have this 4 stars, he likes the positivity in the book and the activities the boys did.
February 6, 2023
As a boy mama, I am SO HAPPY to see this remake!
March 20, 2023
This is exactly what I hope to teach my babies about what it means to be a boy. Be kind, caring, and helpful. Feel deeply and be a positive influence on the world.
June 5, 2023
3.5 stars?
June 17, 2024
The rhymes are clunky but I like the sheepdog
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews