What Little Boys Are Made of by Robert Neubecker is a magnificently illustrated new take on the old nursery rhyme and celebrates the rich imaginative, action filled inner life of little boys. Neubecker's rhymes are simple and vivid and his crisp, colorful artwork is fantastic. The book begins, "What are little boys made of? What are little boys made of? Moons and stars and rockets to Mars, Blast and boom and uppity zoom! That's what little boys are made of."
Neubecker continues with playful moments that turn into jungle scenes, pirate battles, soccer games (with girls on the team!) and a fierce battle between knights and a fire-breathing dragon.
Neubecker ends the book with these lines, "What are little boys made of? What are little boys made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice? Frogs and snails and puppy-dogs' tails? A kiss and a hug, a snuggle and LOVE." These lines take place over a six page spread in which the little boy and his mom share a snack and cuddle in a chair to read a book about dinosaurs. I love how Neubecker brings his story home at the end and acknowledges the bonds between mothers and sons. While mothers are often more frequently represented in picture books than fathers, I think Neubecker strikes a nice tone by balancing the creative but sometimes wild playfulness of boys with the deep love they often share with their mothers.
Little boys are special to moms and I am so glad someone showcased that precious bond between the two. A fantastic little book for your child's collection or gift-giving. Read on. Have an awesome reading-filled weekend!
