When I speak about toxic masculinity, I mention specific books that might prove helpful in opening a dialogue with students. I’ve listed them here as a reference; please feel free to email me with other titles, as I’d like to keep this list as current and helpful as possible!

 

VULNERABILITY

The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers

Real Cowboys by Kate Hoefler

Lion Lessons by Jon Agee

How to Be a Lion by Ed Vere

Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

Tough Boris by Mem Fox

The Storm Whale by Benji Davies

 

FEAR/BRAVERY

The Infamous Ratsos Are Not Afraid by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers

Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall

Tomorrow I’ll Be Brave by Jessica Hische

Sam, the Most Scaredy Cat Kid in the Whole World by Mo Willems

I Walk with Vanessa by Kerascoët

The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson

Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli

What Do You Do with a Problem? By Kobi Yamada

Max the Brave by Ed Vere

Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

After the Fall by Dan Santat

When You Are Brave by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Eliza Wheeler

Mary Wears What She Wants by Keith Negley

 

EMOTIONS

The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers

Tough Guys Have Feelings Too by Kevin Negley

When Sadness is at Your Door by Eva Eland

The Rough Patch by Brian Lies

My Heart by Corinna Luyken

The Snurtch by Sean Ferrell, illustrated by Charles Santoso

Sam’s Pet Temper by Sangeeta Bhara, illustrated by Marion Arbona

Mouse Was Mad by Linda Urban, illustrated by Henry Cole

When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry by Molly Bang

Sometimes I’m Bombaloo by Rachel Vail, illustrated by Yumi Heo

 

AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS

The Infamous Ratsos: Project Fluffy by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers

Big Friends by Linda Sarah, illustrated by Benji Davies

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton

Jerome By Heart by Thomas Scotto

The Night Job by Karen Hesse, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

Drawn Together by Minh Lê, illustrated by Dan Santat

 

ASKING FOR HELP

The Infamous Ratsos #4 by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers (SPRING 2020)

Still Stuck by Shinsuke Yoshitake

Lady Hahn and Her Seven Friends by Yumi Heo

Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry

 

PACIFISM

The Infamous Ratsos #5 by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers (SPRING 2021)

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame

Maurice the UnBeastly by Amy Dixon, illustrated by Karl James Mountford

The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beth

Enemy Pie by Derek Munson, illustrated by Tara Calahan King

 

EMBRACING FEMININE TRAITS

The Infamous Ratsos #6 by Kara LaReau, illustrated by Matt Myers (SPRING 2022)

Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Pink is for Boys by Robb Perlman, illustrated by Eda Kaban

Sparkle Boy by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Maria Mola

Teddy’s Favorite Toy by Christian Trimmer, illustrated by Madeline Valentine

Ogilvie by Deborah Underwood

AND any and all books featuring girls and women!