Books about masculinity

Want to Play Trucks?

Author: Ann Stott Illustrator: Bob Graham
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-8
Reading age: 6+

Beautifully observed illustrations complement a thoughtful tale about two boys trying to reconcile their different interests and find enough common ground to play happily together. 

Clive and His Hats

Author: Jessica Spanyol
Publisher: Child's Play International
Interest age: 0-3

Clive loves his hats, and he has a hat to suit every situation imaginable. This funny book with its colourful illustrations and jaunty story helps little ones look at which clothes (and hats) to wear when - from rainy days to cosy bedtimes.

How To Be A Lion

Author: Ed Vere
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 3-7
Reading age: 5+

Leonard is a gentle lion: just because you’re a lion doesn’t mean that you have to roar. A book about ignoring the aggressive voices in our society and lending an ear to our quieter thoughts, this is a warm and reassuring story. 

Julian is a Mermaid

Author: Jessica Love
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 4-7
Reading age: 6+

When Julian spots three women in lavish mermaid costumes, it fires his imagination and all he can think about is becoming a mermaid himself – with a little help from his nana’s soft furnishings.

The Story of Ferdinand

Author: Munro Leaf Illustrator: Robert Lawson
Publisher: Faber & Faber
Interest age: 4-5

Ferdinand the bull doesn't want to butt heads or fight the Matador - he just wants to sit quietly and smell the flowers. Munro Leaf's gentle picture book about simply being yourself is just as poignant and powerful today as it has ever been.

The Boy Who Loved Everyone

Author: Jane Porter Illustrator: Maisie Paradise Shearring
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 3-5

Dimitri is new at nursery, and no matter how many people (and trees) he says 'I love you' to, no one says it back. Dimitri starts to get really sad. Even the guinea pig seems to want to get away!

When Mum walks him to nursery the next day, she explains that people show their feelings in different ways: the mean old man on the park bench is telling the stray …

Pink Trucks

Author: Sam Clarke Illustrator: Cory Reid
Publisher: Five Quills
Interest age: 4-6
Reading age: 6+

Sink is a massive fan of trucks, but he realises he has none that are pink. Rebelling against the normal “colour rules” he decides to build himself a brilliantly pink truck. 

Boy Oh Boy

Author: Cliff Leek Illustrator: Bene Rohlmann
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+

Boy Oh Boy is an entertaining way to meet 30 positive male role models from throughout history. It will inspire all children to use their talents, express their passions and stand up for what they think is right. 

What is Gender?

Author: Juno Dawson
Publisher: Hachette
Interest age: 10-16
Reading age: 10+

An informative, no-nonsense guide looking at the concept of gender and the different issues surrounding it, featuring personal stories to bring it all to life.

What is Masculinity? Why Does it Matter? And Other Big Questions

Author: Jeffrey Boakye and Darren Chetty with artwork by Oli Frape (Design by Rocket Design)
Publisher: Wayland
Interest age: 10-14
Reading age: 9+

This timely and excellent book explores what it means to be a man in today’s society. It poses thought-provoking questions to develop readers' critical thinking skills, and will give them the confidence to question conventions and stereotypes. 

Max Kowalski Didn’t Mean It

Author: Susie Day
Publisher: Puffin
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

When Max meets Tal and his two dads, he learns that there are lots of different ways to be a man, and that his own dad’s expectations of him at such a young age aren't fair. An utterly remarkable book about families, being a boy and coping with loss. 

High Five to the Hero

Author: Vita Murrow Illustrator: Julia Bereciartu
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+

What if heroes weren't always the strong and silent type? Vita Murrow brings the stars from some of our favourite stories into the modern day with this thought-provoking collection.

The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh

Author: Helen Rutter
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-13
Reading age: 9+

Billy's starting secondary school, but he's worried that his stammer will make it hard to fit in. He has to get rid of it before he can pursue his dream of being a stand-up comedian - so he comes up with an unusual list of ways to deal with it...

Boys Will be Human

Author: Justin Baldoni
Publisher: HarperCollins
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 10+

An excellent all-encompassing guide to being a boy, covering essential topics in a conversational tone. Sensible, sensitive and searingly honest.

Timelines from Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies

Author: Introduction by Mireille Harper Illustrator: Lauren Quinn
Publisher: DK
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

An essential and fascinating book which follows black history across many centuries to today’s contemporary world.

King of Nothing

Author: Nathanael Lessore
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+

Anton is the King of Year 9, but he's forced to hang out with the school's biggest loser. A hilarious coming-of-age story that will