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The Heart of a Boy
Celebrating the Strength and Spirit of Boyhood
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A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.
It’s time to celebrate boys.
Against the backdrop of a growing national conversation about how to raise sons to become good people, Kate T. Parker is leading the way by turning her lens on boys. Author of the bestselling book about girls Strong Is the New Pretty, she now shows the true heart of a boy in 200 compelling photographs.
Boys can be wild. But they can also be gentle. Bursting with confidence, but not afraid to be vulnerable. Ready to run fearlessly downfield—or reach out to a friend in need. In this empowering, deeply felt celebration of boys being—and believing in—themselves, see the unguarded joy of a little brother hugging his big brother. The inquisitive look of a young scientist examining a bug. The fearless self-expression in a ballet dancer’s poise. There are guitarists, fencers, wrestlers, stargazers, a pilot. Boys who aspire to be president, and boys whose lives are full of overwhelming challenges, yet who bravely face each day as it comes.
With inspiring and joyful quotes from the boys themselves, this book spreads a heartfelt, uplifting message of openness, self-confidence, and warmth.
“Kate T. Parker’s incredible Strong Is the New Pretty helped us reimagine girlhood as silly, messy, spirited, and fun. Now she turns her perceptive lens on the other sex to expand our definition of what it means to be a boy . . . and presents something desperately needed in our well-meaning cultural conversation about boys—she shows us their enormous, wonderful hearts.”—Michael Ian Black, actor and writer
“Silly, serious, nerdy, athletic, creative, bold—the adjectives describing boys could go on for pages. But if boys are to grow up to be admirable men, the one thing they must be is kind. Kate T. Parker’s book helps clear the way for a time when everyone understands that.” — R. J. Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder
“Every parent who picks up this book will be grateful for the impact it will have on their family.” —Gary Vaynerchuk, author of Crushing It!
Excerpt
"to me the definition of TRUE masculinity— and FeminINity, too— is being able To lIE in your own skin Comfortably."
—vincent D'onofrio
Chapter 1
The Heart is Vulnerable
Society has conditioned us to perceive vulnerability as a bad thing—that it's unsafe and weak, that it leaves you open. But, that's just it. The amazing thing about being vulnerable is that it does leave you open. Sure, it may open you up to criticism at times (which, as parents, is a hard thing to subject our kids to), but it also opens you (and us) to so many good things. So many new things. So many amazing things. Being open means you get to try, feel, love, and experience things that you would not experience if your heart were closed.
Look at Will, who isn't afraid to admit his feelings of sadness or worry. Or Caden, who is proud to own his past. In acknowledging their perceived weaknesses, they empower themselves.
And yet rather than celebrate the strength it takes to open oneself up, society still looks at vulnerability as a weakness, especially in boys and young men. As parents and teachers, as coaches and friends, we need to encourage our boys to take chances, be unstable, and try new things. They'll learn what it means to succeed and fail, to live with uncertainty. It is in that space that compassion is born.
Stephen Age 6
Catching pop flies is really hard right now. I'm trying my best, but it's really tricky.
Jaice Age 7
When I get bored, I bite my nails. When there are times when I'm doing nothing, I try to do something.
Jude Age 5
I have Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy, and it affects my muscles and makes it hard to move sometimes. Sometimes I cry when my body can't do things. . . . I get mad. Lots of people don't know about it so I explain it to them. I like to talk to people so they understand. I like when people understand. Understanding is the most helpful thing.
Will S. Age 12
Being strong to me means believing in yourself and not putting other people down.
Jules Age 5
Boys can be anything—they can be happy, they can be sad.
Noah Age 11
Ella and I have been friends since we were three years old. I'm comfortable around her because she likes me for who I am. I'm able to be myself when I'm with her.
Matthew Age 10
I like soccer, football, and I have a dog named Maggie. I am proud of who I am.
Charlie Age 9
When I grow up I want to build the impossible for NASA and maybe one day go into space.
Ryan Age 12
I am not physically the strongest, but I am mentally very strong and I think I am a great leader. So I don't fit into the norm of being physically tough and strong, but I feel like I fit into the "new norm," where boys and girls are leaders.
Chaz Age 15
To be sidelined is the worst feeling, but when you step back on the field, it makes it that much more worth it.
George Age 5
My mom makes my scar into a happy face.
Patrick Age 10
I am learning that I am the only person exactly like me.
Cameron Age 12
I can't imagine life without my sister.
Will C Age 7
People think boys should be strong all the time, but that's not true. Sometimes I'm scared or sad or worried.
Caden Age 13
When I was ten, I suffered sudden cardiac arrest. It really made me appreciate my life.
BLAKE Age 9
My best friend is Jeremy. He is my hero because he understands how it feels to be me.
EVAN Age 11
Breaking boards is hard because I know it is going to hurt, but I know it makes me stronger.
"find out where Joy resides, and give it A Voice far beyond singing. for to miss the Joy is to miss all."
—Robert Louis Stevenson
Chapter 2
The Heart is JOYFUL
Genre:
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“[A] vibrant catalog of portraits devoted to boys. The Heart of a Boy is full of smile-inducing photographs that give readers a deep appreciation of boys in all their variety, bursting the tired stereotype that they need to be “tough,” not vulnerable.” —New York Times Book Review
"…the photos speak for themselves, as do the boys, whose self-aware thoughts accompany their beautifully realized portraits (“I want to be President because I am helpful, kind and nice”). Finally, this beautifully designed book is a feast for browsers. And that’s no small matter."—Booklist
“A beautiful, joy-filled celebration of boyhood and its many facets.”—The New York Post
“Silly, serious, nerdy, athletic, creative, bold—the adjectives describing boys could go on for pages. But if boys are to grow up to be admirable men, the one thing they must be is kind. Kate Parker’s book helps clear the way for a time when everyone understands that.”—R.J. Palacio, author of Wonder
“Every parent who picks up this book will be grateful for the impact it will have on their family.”—Gary Vaynerchuk
“Kate T. Parker's incredible photographic series Strong Is the New Pretty helped us reimagine girlhood. Now she turns her perceptive lens on the other sex to expand our definition of what it means to be a boy. In The Heart of a Boy, Kate shows us that, just like girls, boys are silly, messy, spirited, and fun. But they are also tender and vulnerable and sometimes sad. Kate’s photos present something desperately needed in our well-meaning cultural conversation about boys—she shows us their enormous, wonderful hearts.”—Michael Ian Black
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2019 Nautilus Book Award—Nautilus Book Award
- On Sale
- Apr 2, 2019
- Page Count
- 256 pages
- Publisher
- Workman Publishing Company
- ISBN-13
- 9781523505517
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