• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Happily Ever Elephants
Happily Ever Elephants

Happily Ever Elephants

The Best Kids Books Found Here!

  • Home
  • Book Lists
  • Kids Book Clubs
  • Winter Books
  • About
  • Home
  • Baby + Toddler (0-2)
  • Pre-K (3-5)
  • Beginning Readers (6-7)
  • Growing Readers (7-9)
  • Tweens (10-12)
Books by Theme » Combat Bias » A Book for Every Boy: A Boy Like You, by Frank Murphy

A Book for Every Boy: A Boy Like You, by Frank Murphy

By Lauren Bercuson ·  Published: Jul 23, 2019 ·  Modified: Sep 9, 2022 ·  This post may contain affiliate links

Inside: If you have a boy in your home, run, don’t walk, to the nearest book store and grab A BOY LIKE YOU by Frank Murphy and illustrated by Kayla Harren, one of the very best books for boys! It’s perfect in every way, from illustration to message, and it has been on constant rotation in our home!

*This post contains affiliate links.


A Boy Like You by Frank Murphy

Every once in a while, my kids and I read a book that prompts so much unexpected conversation, I feel totally grateful (not to mention indebted) to the author and illustrator for creating such a magical story that makes tough conversations easy to have.

That’s exactly how I felt after reading A BOY LIKE YOU with Pickle, as Bo slept soundly, curled up next to me. Actually, Pickle read the book to me, and because he is a new reader, his pauses and breaks were just perfect. They gave him a breather, while also opening the door to meaningful conversation. And with this remarkable book, meaningful conversation can be had on every single page, and those convos span everything from sportsmanship to tears to giving back to your community to the meaning of strength.


IMG_2417 2.JPG

A BOY LIKE YOU, written by Frank Murphy and illustrated by Kayla Harren, is the boys version of the plethora of strong girl books that have been published in the last few years. The book walks its readers through all the things that make a boy unique, and it doesn’t shy away from conveying to children that there is more to being a boy than sports, keeping emotions hidden, and being daring and tough. Instead, A BOY LIKE YOU beautifully describes all of the ways a boy can be brave and courageous, ways that include letting tears flow, raising his hand, and asking for help when he needs it. This book elegantly and perfectly combats gender stereotypes, allowing all readers to see that being a boy has many different and awesome meanings in addition to — or instead of — the ones that first come to mind.

One of our favorite pages was the above spread featuring several boys playing sports. Pickle is a sports fanatic, and he pored over these illustrations and the words attached to each. We talked for a good fifteen minutes about good sportsmanship, being part of a team, the fact that winning isn’t everything, and that being an amazing athlete also means sharing the spotlight — and the ball! — with others. We needed this conversation badly, and I was so grateful that A BOY LIKE YOU came into our lives when it did. It was the most perfect timing!


IMG_7920.JPG

But that’s not all. The words in A BOY LIKE YOU contain so much power, offering wisdom and lessons I try to share with my boys on a regular basis. Snippets like leaving the world better than you found it, using good manners and listening intently to others’ stories, being curious, doing the right thing even when no one is looking, and most importantly, reaching for your dreams. A BOY LIKE YOU goes further than just reminding kids to dream big. It conveys to kids that they can be anything they want — but it won’t come to them without working hard. If you want something, go after it. But recognize that you must put in the effort to achieve it. Life goals will not be handed to you on a silver platter.

I can’t rave about this one enough. If you liked DEAR BOY, I have no doubt A BOY LIKE YOU will be a perfect story for your shelves, one you will turn to again and again that will spark conversation, instill confidence, and make your boy unequivocally proud of his unique, beautiful self.

Two gigantic trunks up for A BOY LIKE YOU!

RELATED: We’ve got the best children’s books for you on Happily Ever Elephants, so be sure to check them out!

HEE received an advanced copy of this book for review consideration, but all opinions expressed herein are entirely our own.

LOVE IT? PIN IT!!


A BOY LIKE YOU by Frank Murphy, the best new book every young boy needs on his bookshelf!
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

3-4

« Previous PostSpace Books for Kids Who Love to Learn About Our Universe and More!
Next Post »The BEST Books for Boys Combat Gender Stereotypes!

OTHER POSTS YOU MAY LIKE:

  • 3-4

    The Incredible Book Eating Boy, by Oliver Jeffers
  • 3-4

    New Favorite Children's Book: The Neighbors!
  • 3-4

    STARDUST: A Children's Book About Sibling Rivalry You Need Now!

Never Miss a Happily Ever Elephants Newsletter!

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome to Happily Ever Elephants!

Lauren

Hi! I’m Lauren. I’m a boy mom, former attorney, current elementary school librarian, and moderator of book clubs for kids around the country. My goal is to make storytime with your children both magical and meaningful. Welcome! LEARN MORE 

AS FEATURED IN

Good Housekeeping

Winter Books

10+ Valentine’s Day Books for Kids!

Children’s Books About Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Cutest Children’s Books About Penguins

The Best Lunar New Year Read-Aloud Books!

SEE ALL WINTER BOOKS

Popular Posts

kindergarten-read-alouds

These Kindergarten Read Alouds Will Wow Kids!

The covers of 9 of the best books for 10 year olds.

The Best Books for 10-Year-Olds To Excite Your Kids!

The cover of Gossie with some rubber ducks, a great book for 2 year olds.

The Best Books for 2-Year-Olds Your Reader Will Love!

beginning-reader-books

The Ultimate List of the Best Books for Beginning Readers!

JOIN OUR BOOK CLUB

Browse by Age

BABY + TODDLER (0-2)
PRE-K (3-5)
BEGINNING READER (6-7)
GROWING READER (7-9)
TWEENS (10-12)
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Footer

Don’t miss a single book.

Join our community and discover 28 Unforgettable Books to Make Storytime Magical and Meaningful.

Thank you for subscribing!

Buy the Books

The best virtual book clubs for kids. Why read alone when we can read together?

JOIN NOW!

Copyright © 2023 ·  Happily Ever Elephants LLC ·  Review Policies & Disclosures ·  Accessibility ·  Website by Anchored Design

0 shares