Little Boy

by Alison McGhee, Peter H. Reynolds (illustrator)

The simple playthings, the everyday moments, picking up that hundredth rock -- all of these are brimming with possibility...if you slow down and let the future begin with the small moments of today. Because everything depends on letting a little boy...be a little boy.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Parenting, Plays

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2008

About the author

Alison McGhee writes novels, picture books, poems, and essays for all ages, including the just-published THE OPPOSITE OF FATE, a novel, and the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestseller SOMEDAY, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Her work has been translated into more than 20 languages. She lives in Minneapolis and California.

Reviews

[Carolyn]

A lovely picture book, Little Boy is a celebration of play and a reminder – especially for adults – that small moments can have great meaning and impact. We watch from morning until night as a young boy plays with his dog, enjoys time in the out-of-doors, has fun with a large cardboard box, helps with cooking, plays with his toys and spends time with his dad.

Little boy, so much depends on a blue mixing bowl,
a ball in the goal,
the tree that fell,
that wet-dog smell, and…
your big cardboard box.

Note,although the adult male in the illustrations is not specifically named, we assume he is the boy’s father.

Little Boy is a great gift book for expectant parents and also dads. Do take time to enjoy Peter H. Reynolds’ illustrations. Each page tells a story and children will enjoy watching for the boy’s toy robot and his yellow cup as they accompany him throughout the day.

Highlighted in our Terrific Picture Books About Fathers and Fatherhood post

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Little boy, you remind me how so much depends on days made of now."

I love the whimsical illustrations in this sweet story about little boys, but the actual story itself isn't my favorite. I like the sentiment behind it and the fun characteristics described that a lot of boys may share. I don't like how specific some of it is though, like the constant repetition of the boy and his cardboard box, because it just doesn't seem like something most kids will relate to (though some will, certainly). I do like that the story shows the light-hearted nature of little boys though, like "the way you don't worry, the way you won't hurry."

All in all, a sweet story but not a favorite.

[Kate Hern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Boy by Alison McGhee is about a little boy and his life with his dog and big cardboard box. The little boy loves yellow, and that can tie into the yellow end pages that the book has. The book represents independence and days made of now. Live your life one day at a time. That is an important concept to understand in this book. The little boy depends on so much. “Little boy so much depends on” “and your big cardboard box.” These are parts in the book that are repeated before, and after the story explains the things, the boy depends on. He is a very independent boy who completes his days by himself. This book is told from the perspective of the narrator or the author. I believe that this book also has illustrations made of colored pencils with faded cutouts on each of the pages.
I decided to use this book for my author study because it makes me want to read more. What else does the boy depend on throughout the day besides his cardboard box and animal cracker cookies? This book can also give young readers connections to the little boy and his dependence on his things around his house.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminiscent of The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams, this is a lovely ode to the delight and wonder of childhood. Sure there isn't a story but a series of evocative images that will probably speak more to parents and grandparents, but those images will resonate: "a puddle to jump, sand to dump" or "the tree that fell, the wet-dog smell" and of course the magic of the cardboard box. A wonderful book with the timeless message: "Little boy, you remind me how so much depends on days made of now."

[Kris Dersch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This for SURE falls under the heading of book for parents that kid might occasionally enjoy, but as mama of a box obsessed little boy I love it and it makes me cry. We started reading it when my guy was less than 2 and as his box obsession has grown I love it even more. Make the most of days made of now <3

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is sweet book that shows us all the things to love about a child who happens to be a boy. The rhyming poetry works and Peter H Reynolds illustrations add delightful layers of meaning to the book. My only issue is that it seems a book more directed to adults than children.

[Rita Tayenaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this as a gift to new Grandma's and they love it. Such a cute story that brings tears to your eyes.

[Dalton Drexler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great loving story that the kids will like and be able to relate to.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the illustrations. Not sure how kids will take to it. The strong sentiment seems to perhaps make it one of those books that really appeals to adults more than kids.

[McKinnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

kind of cute story of an adventurous boy

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. I don't doubt that for many people -- whether girls or boys -- life is all about the sort of thing brought up in this book.

Not for me, not by a long shot.

But sure *****

[Tiffany Graef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tear jerker….but sweet

[Adrianna NM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mój 2letni syn uwielbia tę książkę. Czytamy ją razem kilka razy w ciągu dnia. Książka mówi o emocjach i o tym jak można je przeżywać. Jednak każdy ma swój czas by je pokazać.

[Rochelle Sondae · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're working on transitioning from being a "baby" to a "toddler" and due to the title I thought this might help the little guy realize he is growing up even if his parents would prefer he stay cute and adorable for a few more years. I fear instead this book has inspired him to use every last band-aid in the box and to hoard boxes for spaceships and race cars. It probably doesn't help that I bought him his first "super hero" cape two weeks ago. He pretty much wants to try everything in this book except going around without any socks. He was disturbed that the Little Boy in this book rarely wears them.

[Justin Guardiani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to read to your child. I would recommend to anyone regardless if you have a boy or a girl. The themes of imagination, curiosity, explorations and simply being a kid are so universal and charming. The illustrations are warm and fun. It's also fun to read this and catch yourself remembering all the endless possibilities a card-board box possessed. The story is childhood at it's simplest and happiest.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful, simple story celebrating all the wonderful things about a little boy that serve as daily reminders to live in the moment. I don't think I would use this for storytime, for one thing, the book itself is too small for large groups, but I feel this would be better served as a one-on-one book.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text of this book read like it was aimed at grownups rather than kids, especially picture book aged kids. The book is written from the point of view of a parent reminiscing on the preciousness and wonderfulness of their little boy, which is very nice but not really a children's book. I do think the illustrations are charming, though.

[Jo ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet ode to little boys and cardboard boxes. Adorable illustrations by Peter H. Reynolds. This is a children's book that parents will probably enjoy more than their kids or the type of book that Mom and Dad read to their new baby boy. <3

[Chenae · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a "little boy" this book will hold a special place in your heart. After getting it at the library I had to own this book. When I'm at a loss trying to figuring out to mother a little boy, I read this book to remember the simple joys of watching my little boy experience life and that he is a good example of living in the "now". :)

[Dona Gay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tender story about little boys and the joys that they bring. I was going with three stars until the very end when I got all sentimental thinking of my 4 little boys, who are not so very little anymore (one of them is 6' 4"). The last line is, "Little boy, you remind me how so much depends on days made of now."

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't really a story, it's more like a succession events and playfully creative uses for boxes.
But I loved the rhyme and rhythm of the text, and my kids LOVE boxes. So they could totally see themselves in this book.
The illustrations work really well with this text.
It's also a very quick read, so it's good for nights when you need fast bedtime stories.

[MissInformation · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Little boy so much depends on..." many homey objects and daily activities listed. A rhyming book that is nice and very simple. The ending is geared to the adult:
"Little boy, you remind me how
so much depends on days made of now."

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about all the reasons a mother loves her son. My son listened, but I don't think we'll read it together again, its really more for parents. This would make a nice gift for a new mom, or a mom who may have forgotten just why she loves her son...

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I immediately got the resemblance in this book to the William Carlos Williams poem, as I am a big fan of Sharon Creech's "Love That Dog", in which the poem also figures prominently! This story is well written and enjoyable. A good book.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute illustrations with short text, might be more interesting to parents than to kids but could be a nice read aloud for a parent.
A father reflects on how the future depends upon the all of the little things in his son's world, from his yellow drinking cup to a big cardboard box.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable illustrations in this book. From the perspective of a parent who watches their child navigating the world and learns through him the value of small things and living in the present moment. Really touching and sweet.

[Michelle Nero · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love both the author and the illustrator working together. A sweet story about a boy and the reminder to the parents to live in the now -- there will be no other time than right now with your child. I think it's written for the parents than children.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently, I dislike Alison McGhee. This book is sappy and senseless at the same time. I appreciate boys and I appreciate living in the moment. However, this book (including those two themes) did not charm me.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet, happy/sad book about all the things little boys love to do. Read it to Jasper (2yo) with the clearness of hindsight of having watched Asher (10yo) and Dexter (7yo) go through little boy stages and knowing how it just doesn't last.

Illustrations are charming.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what little boys are all about.