Brilliant Bob by Ken Jolivet
The Brilliant Bob series contains seven beautifully written and illustrated children’s books that were created specifically to support and encourage young boys.
Some books teach children Feminism
For Sonora Jha, a “fiercely feminist mother” and Seattle University professor of journalism, it is important not only to raise our daughters as Feminists, but our sons too. Jha’s book How to Raise a Feminist Son comes out it in April from local publisher Sasquatch Books.
(Side note: We recommend reading this interview of Sonora Jha for insight into her worldview. For example, responding to the question, “What should we tell our daughters to expect from their male peers?” she says, “Tell them to expect better. Tell them to demand better. Tell them to expect that boys support them and also get out of their way.”)
Internet blog posts titled “25 Brilliant Books for Your Feminist Toddler” and “16 Feminist Kids’ Books for Dismantling the Patriarchy” demonstrate there is no shortage of children’s books written to encourage girls to be strong. Titles of these books include Tough Chicks, Strong is the New Pretty, and My First Book of Girl Power.
What traits should books for boys instill?
Ken Jolivet is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force whose passion is helping young boys develop positive identities as males in a culture touting “toxic masculinity”, “girl power”, and “the future is female”.
Jolivet wrote the Brilliant Bob book series to counteract negative messaging boys and their parents are receiving about masculinity.
In each of seven books written for boys ages 4 to 8, protagonist Brilliant Bob teaches boys the benefits of masculine traits, namely being:
- Brave
- Competitive
- Strong
- Curious
- Stoic
- Persistent, and
- Taking Risks
After Brilliant Bob learns bravery, he starts friendships with Dazzling Dave, Genuine George, and Superboy Sam, who join him on fun, realistic adventures. Each character has strengths and capabilities boys can aspire to.
Kind boys, strong girls, and PBS Kids
Some feminists, like those at Oakland-based Little Feminist Book Club, promote children’s books about strong girls and kind boys because these books challenge gender stereotypes and present stories less told. Regarding the above-mentioned How to Raise a Feminist Son, the book’s description says it “will resonate with feminists who hope to change the world, one kind boy at a time.” (emphasis added)
Related reading: There are more boys raised in Washington without regular contact with their fathers than girls raised without regular contact with their mothers.
PBS Kids is the brand for most of the children’s TV programming aired by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in the United States. PBS Kids publishes articles on their website featuring advice for parents. One of their articles is about raising “powerful” girls. Two more are about raising “strong” girls (here and here). The only other two articles specifically for parents of girls are about raising “confident” girls (here and here). To recap, PBS Kids’ five articles specifically about girls have the normative themes: power, strength, strength, confidence, and confidence.
PBS Kids’ one article specifically for parents of boys is about raising emotionally sensitive sons.
Washington Initiative for Boys and Men believes boys should be kind, of course, but that is setting the bar too low. Is the measure of a man “How few people was he unkind to?” Boys must acquire a wide variety of traits to become successful, well-rounded men.
Positive masculine traits in Brilliant Bob books
Returning to the Brilliant Bob kids’ books, the author recommends that male role models — such as fathers and grandfathers, older brothers, and teachers — read the stories to the boys in their lives. The books convey attributes boys can develop that will positively impact their masculinity as they mature into young men. Those positive attributes include:
- Adaptability & flexibility
- Bonding & social cohesion
- Bravery & courage
- Confidence
- Discipline & delayed gratification
- Fairness & empathy
- Importance of health & wellbeing
- Losing graciously & celebrating others’ successes
- Optimism
- Persistence & tenacity
- Reliability
- Responsibility to self & others
- Sense of identity as a male
- Self-awareness, self-respect, & self-esteem
- Stoicism (control of emotions and actions)
- Teamwork
- Willingness to take calculated risks
Buy Brilliant Bob books in paperback ($10) or hardcover ($19) from Amazon.
