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Boys: An Illustrated Field Guide
An Illustrated Field Guide is a tender, coming-of-age gift book about the many different kinds of boys that girls (and boys) fall in love with and the lessons we learn from a broken heart. Heather Ross journeys with the reader through the many kinds of boys she will meet in the wild—smart boys, dangerous boys, beautiful boys, and more—and the wonders and mysteries they all hold. With its field guide approach, women learn how to identify these types of boys in their natural habitats and what tools are needed to navigate each kind of relationship. (For example, quiet boys are especially hard to identify because they hide in the tall grass or silent corners of the library!)
Written in a wise voice and illustrated full of whimsical imagery, An Illustrated Field Guide gives readers the confidence they need to reenter the dating scene. It’s ultimately a tender, relatable guide about emerging from heartache with hope, and most importantly, a stronger knowledge of the self.
Written in a wise voice and illustrated full of whimsical imagery, An Illustrated Field Guide gives readers the confidence they need to reenter the dating scene. It’s ultimately a tender, relatable guide about emerging from heartache with hope, and most importantly, a stronger knowledge of the self.
80 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2017
1 person is currently reading
349 people want to read
About the author
Heather Ross
29 books26 followersHeather Ross is an illustrator and fabric designer. She lives in New York City and the Catskill Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 21, 2021
First Read: September 2017, Rating: 5/5 stars
Second Read: June 2021, Rating: 4.5/5 stars
There may be almost as many words in this review than in the entirety of the book, but that doesn't mean this isn't one of the most powerfully poignant books I have ever read! This is a short but sweet picture books that measures in at under 100 pages. However, despite the limited length and the minimal writing that line each page, it manages to deliver a complete and heart-breaking story.
The transcendentally beautiful illustrations, that grace each page, enhance the whimsical wonder of the words alongside them. The sketched style and limited colour scheme also gives this book a minimal aesthetic that subtly allow both aspects it contains to provide equal wonder to its audience. These two features work in tandem to allow this entire book to be summed up in just one word: sublime!
I have taken a .5 star off my initial rating as, during my reread, I found just as much to appreciate and agree with all my previous thoughts, but also wished this wasn't so heteronormative.
Second Read: June 2021, Rating: 4.5/5 stars
There may be almost as many words in this review than in the entirety of the book, but that doesn't mean this isn't one of the most powerfully poignant books I have ever read! This is a short but sweet picture books that measures in at under 100 pages. However, despite the limited length and the minimal writing that line each page, it manages to deliver a complete and heart-breaking story.
The transcendentally beautiful illustrations, that grace each page, enhance the whimsical wonder of the words alongside them. The sketched style and limited colour scheme also gives this book a minimal aesthetic that subtly allow both aspects it contains to provide equal wonder to its audience. These two features work in tandem to allow this entire book to be summed up in just one word: sublime!
I have taken a .5 star off my initial rating as, during my reread, I found just as much to appreciate and agree with all my previous thoughts, but also wished this wasn't so heteronormative.
October 27, 2018
What a lovely, gentle, reassuring little book.
November 28, 2017
This is a gorgeous and poignant book...the type I think I will buy for my nieces one day. :-)
December 27, 2017
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ ALL YEAR!!!!! A MUST-READ FOR EVERY YOUNG GIRL!
February 6, 2022
Gentle and lovely ❤
December 16, 2023
Had time to kill at a friends house and read this book from their book shelf. Pretty solid
October 14, 2019
This is absolutely adorable! The illustrations were cute, the message is beautiful. There is also a little dog that follows the girl around and he is absolutely endearing—reminds me of my dog so I’m totally smitten with this book!
February 21, 2025
so cute and real
September 14, 2017
Well this is adorable. I was worried about the direction it was going, but the ending was perfect. A bit heteronormative, but otherwise, a lovely little read and a fun addition to my shelves.
November 28, 2018
Bought this for its cover, thinking although my daughters aren't old enough to be interested in boys yet, it might be a good book to have on hand for future use. First off, I will say that Heather Ross's illustrations in it are absolutely adorable. The Field Guide schtick works to an extent; classifying different types (or species, genus?) of boys is humorous, notwithstanding the fact that it's perpetuating gender specific tropes. My main issue though, is that I question the need to explain romance and heartbreak to a reader young enough to enjoy picture books with less than 50 words per page.
September 7, 2017
For review. It was okay, just think it leant too much towards the heteronormative idea that only girls like boys and vice versa. Also clearly fell into stereotype of "girls are vulnerable to boys and ergo must be shielded", which personally I find problematic as a generalisation. Lovely art despite this.
September 14, 2017
You will be a Girl Who Knows Herself.
And that will be the best love of all.
What an enchanting short book. I had never heard of this book before it landed on my doorstep, thanks to the publisher.
The illustrations are incredibly cute, but most of all: the story it tells is really important. I'm definitely going to put this book away until I get a child and I will show her all these different boys, how they might shatter your heart, but how it will never destroy you.
Even my boyfriend liked the 'powerful message and adorable illustrations' and he hardly picks up any books. He agreed that this book contains a valuable lesson that everyone should teach their children.
And that will be the best love of all.
What an enchanting short book. I had never heard of this book before it landed on my doorstep, thanks to the publisher.
The illustrations are incredibly cute, but most of all: the story it tells is really important. I'm definitely going to put this book away until I get a child and I will show her all these different boys, how they might shatter your heart, but how it will never destroy you.
Even my boyfriend liked the 'powerful message and adorable illustrations' and he hardly picks up any books. He agreed that this book contains a valuable lesson that everyone should teach their children.
September 30, 2017
I received a free copy of the book through a giveaway.
Omg, this book is the sweetest! It's an illustrated "field guide" to the different types of boys you might encounter in your life. I read it this afternoon to 2 of my grandsons and they actually sat through it. That is until I started describing the "That" boy. "That" boy takes your breath away but can unwittingly break a girl's heart. Yeah, they didn't much care for the "romantic side of the "That" boy, lol. They decided to stick to being "brave" boys.
Girls will rely on this book to: guide them through various characteristics of boys & to give them insight into the strong girl(s) they are.
Omg, this book is the sweetest! It's an illustrated "field guide" to the different types of boys you might encounter in your life. I read it this afternoon to 2 of my grandsons and they actually sat through it. That is until I started describing the "That" boy. "That" boy takes your breath away but can unwittingly break a girl's heart. Yeah, they didn't much care for the "romantic side of the "That" boy, lol. They decided to stick to being "brave" boys.
Girls will rely on this book to: guide them through various characteristics of boys & to give them insight into the strong girl(s) they are.
January 31, 2018
2.5 stars
I saw this book in the shelf at Kneader’s restaurant and since I was traveling and love to read something when I’m out of town, and see thing it was going to be a very quick read, I picked it up while to two “boys” in my life went to was their hands.
The book started out cute, realistic and straightforward. And I liked it up to the last 2 or 3 pages, when the message turned from “be careful of the type of boy you choose” to “boys will come and go and it doesn’t really matter which one you choose because you’re a woman! and all that matters is that own it and can thrive without a boy”
Not really the message I was hoping for.
I saw this book in the shelf at Kneader’s restaurant and since I was traveling and love to read something when I’m out of town, and see thing it was going to be a very quick read, I picked it up while to two “boys” in my life went to was their hands.
The book started out cute, realistic and straightforward. And I liked it up to the last 2 or 3 pages, when the message turned from “be careful of the type of boy you choose” to “boys will come and go and it doesn’t really matter which one you choose because you’re a woman! and all that matters is that own it and can thrive without a boy”
Not really the message I was hoping for.
September 26, 2017
The illustrations are 5 star - very cute and very well done. And the final message is also cute. But who is the intended audience for this book? Its too short to be an actual read (5 minutes to get through), too middle-school to be meant for adults (at least, it seems), and yet is a middle schooler interested in a picture book that seems more nostalgic than serious? Maybe I completely misunderstand. I am clearly not the target audience. Its cute for sure. And worth the 5 minutes to read. But I wouldn't pay full price to buy it.
July 19, 2018
I picked this book up expecting barely veiled over-generalizations and stereotypes about the sexes. I finished it touched, feeling like I had learned a little bit about myself. It's one of the sweetest things I've ever picked up. I'm not sure if this is actually a children's book or not, but I think it would be worth 15 minutes of anyone's time to flip through this wholesome book and remind yourself that
September 18, 2017
Have a daughter? Know a girl? This book is a must-gift. It is sweet and smart and dead on and important for every girl to hear or read. I loved it as a happily married woman and plan to read it to my 6th grader as well as my 3rd grader. I've also ordered copies to send to my nieces in college. Enjoy this gem of a book.
November 8, 2017
Got this as an early read from Goodreads.com for free... I work with college students and one of my crew mentioned "ex-boyfriend" -- told her she needed to read this. Most of my 12 member crew has read it -- guys and gals alike.... Most of the girls I've asked about it agree this should be REQUIRED READING for all Middle School, High School and even some College girls.
July 21, 2021
“Alright, what are teaching our children?” That was my thought in picking up this book. I could not have been more pleased with what was delivered. This book is ageless and I immediately had plans to give it to all my 20-something friends, my mom, and the kids in my life that are just getting into reading.
September 13, 2017
What a beautiful book. Very cleverly told story about the journey to finding "the one". Got a bit tear-y at the end! I love all the cute little details in the drawings that you go back and find with multiple readings.
October 31, 2017
I received Boys An Illustrated Field Guide as a Goodreads giveaway. It is a very cute book. It gives humorous examples of types of boys and good information about girls needing to find out about themselves.
January 21, 2020
I picked this book up in a store today because it seemed cute and well illustrated. I somehow ended up engrossed and with tears streaming down my face. This book is lovely, beautiful, and exactly what I needed. I will think about it for a very long time.
October 10, 2017
I won this from a GoodReads Giveaway and I'm so glad that I did!
It was incredibly sweet with a great message at the end.
It was incredibly sweet with a great message at the end.
January 15, 2018
This book is short but absolutely incredible!
January 24, 2018
I want to give this to every tween and teen and grown-up girl I know! Such a darling book!!
February 11, 2018
This is one adorable book on so many levels. It is heartwarming and validating, even to a 40-something who is still trying to figure out the other half of the species.
February 23, 2018
This is the simplest and purest explanation of how to navigate first loves I’ve ever read.
May 21, 2018
Cute
December 22, 2018
Touching and gorgeously illustrated; I almost cried but it’s 1am so there are some confounding variables there.
January 4, 2019
A sweet book for girls learning to find themselves as they date. I was hoping this would be a little picture book for adults, but this is a perfect gift for teens. Very charming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews