Comment: Five children鈥檚 books that feature positive male role models Published on: 8 April 2025 Writing for The Conversation, Michael Richardson offers his recommendation for a book that aims to teach boys what it means to be responsible, compassionate and confident men. , ; , ; , ; , , and , We are facing an apparent among young boys. As the success of the Netflix show has highlighted, young men are lacking positive role models 鈥� and increasingly looking to to fill the void. In response, we鈥檝e asked five academic experts to recommend a book they鈥檇 read with a boy or young man that features a positive male role model. The stories they鈥檝e selected celebrate kindness, integrity and vulnerability. Suitable for readers from infancy to late adolescence, these picks aim to teach boys what it means to be responsible, compassionate and confident men. 1. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (2019) Suitable for all ages As a researcher inspired by bell hooks鈥� adult non-fiction work, (2004), I鈥檓 drawn to children鈥檚 books that nurture the emotional lives of boys and challenge traditional ideas of masculinity. One such book is . Its quiet, reflective narrative centres on emotional openness, friendship and the strength found in vulnerability. These are also core themes in hooks鈥� call to liberate men and boys from the emotional constraints of patriarchal masculinity. The characters gently model care, empathy and the courage to ask for help, offering children and their parents a vision of masculinity grounded in love and connection, rather than fear or dominance. In a culture that often discourages boys and the men they become from expressing tenderness, this book provides a vital counterbalance. It invites young readers to see emotional depth as a strength 鈥� planting early seeds for a more compassionate and expansive way of being. Recommended by Vincent Straub, PhD Candidate at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. . 2. Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too), by Keith Negley (2015) Most suitable for ages three-five As a response to the caused by gendered play and storytelling, there is much excellent work which focuses on the empowerment of young women and girls. Yet, the promotion of emotional intelligence among young men and boys is still lagging. is a great example of a story which promotes respect, care and empathy while making space for the hyper-masculine. The book documents archetypal 鈥渟trong men鈥� 鈥� superheroes, wrestlers, astronauts and cowboys 鈥� struggling, and often failing. Negley reframes these archetypes by pairing a young boy鈥檚 combative imagination with the care and compassion of his father. If I return to my childhood, I think of the impact of Sheriff Woody and Intergalactic Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise. I watched as the characters competed for alpha status, and saw them ultimately work together through recognising their own limitations and faults. What I take from their story, and Negley鈥檚, is that we need to be teaching our children not just to fly but to fail 鈥� with style. Recommended by Michael Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography 3. The Final Year by Matt Goodfellow, illustrated by Joe Todd-Stanton (2023) Most suitable for ages ten-11 Nate, the ten-year-old protagonist of Matt Goodfellow鈥檚 must square up to year six without either his ex-best-mate Parker Smith, or a dad. Both his father and the fathers of his two siblings are, variously, missing, in prison or unknown. It鈥檚 in Nate鈥檚 new teacher Mr Joshua that we find our role model. He handles Nate with patience and empathy, and hands out wisdom gleaned from singer Bob Marley and children鈥檚 author David Almond alike. The book is a punchy, easy read, written in vernacular and narrative verse, with an obvious appeal to boys and otherwise reluctant readers. Pleasingly, Mr Joshua鈥檚 talisman is the tender book Skellig by David Almond (1998). Almond is a former primary school teacher and a worthy role model himself. He once declared all writers for children 鈥渉ope hunters鈥�. It鈥檚 a mantle admirably upheld by Goodfellow. Recommended by Jo Nadin, Associate Professor of Creative Writing 4. The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (2008) Suitable for ages 14+ For teenagers, I recommended by Patrick Ness, because of its promotion of emotional literacy and appreciation of difference. Through the unique metaphor of audible thoughts (known as 鈥渘oise鈥�), readers are shown that courage can be evoked through the acknowledgement of feelings, as opposed to their suppression. From its outset, the story confronts and challenges aggressive stereotypes and toxic masculinity, affirming more positive forms through healthier role models, who personify strength through empathy and kindness. As the protagonist, Todd journeys with Viola, the story鈥檚 underlying beliefs of gender equality and respectful interaction are promoted. During their experiences, tough choices shape character through ethical decision-making, while the story provides alternative solutions to violence and aggression. Ultimately, Ness鈥� novel guides boys in trials of adversity, offering understanding in lieu of bitterness, and endorsing empathy and resilience. It鈥檚 an invaluable aid in the fostering of emotional masculine maturity. Recommended by Rob Walker, PhD Candidate in Education 5. This Boy鈥檚 Life by Tobias Wolff (1989) Suitable for ages 16+ This memoir is a beautifully written, perceptive account of boyhood. The story does not shy away from troublesome tropes including adolescent alienation, a brutish father figure, the temptations of gun culture and more. At the centre of is a clever but vulnerable boy trying to navigate his way through the minefields and mixed messages of masculinity. A wonderful, quirky mother is a feature of the story, but so are good male friendships and mentors. There鈥檚 no sugar coating here. The story is formed and written with a kind of unsentimental tenderness. The result is an insightful and ultimately hopeful account of a complicated life, showing how boys 鈥� even those who are angry and confused 鈥� can grow into decent, generous, gentle men. Recommended by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, Professor of Teaching, Learning and Creative Practice , PhD Candidate, Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, ; , Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, ; , Senior Lecturer in Human Geography, ; , PhD Candidate in Education, , and , Professor of Creative Writing, This article is republished from under a Creative Commons license. Read the . 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