The critics have been talking about Keith Negley’s Tough Guys Have Feelings Too and they love it! We’ve been so pleased to see so many positive reactions to this book, and we wanted to share a few of them with you.
Here’s what they’ve been saying (illustrations by our pal Louis Miller, a lil’ Tough Guy himself, age 5):
“A simple, stylishly illustrated picture book […] This appealing book makes the timely decision to hold the conversation about male emotions while everyone involved is in costume, performing some iconically macho role.”
–New York Times
“It teaches little boys that they don’t have to feel like Superman all the time. This book may actually go a long way towards dismantling rigid gender roles. For both men and women, crying can be considered a sign of weakness or hysteria — forcing them to repress this very natural emotional response. But Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) wants to put an end to that right now. This is the crying revolution, and it looks like the next generation might actually grow up knowing it’s OK to have a good cry when you need.”
–Bustle
“The title says it all. These tough guys are rendered in simple lines and shapes and colored in black and white, red, blue, and yellow, but they represent a broad range of virility. […] Negley’s debut is nonetheless sincere.”
–Kirkus Reviews
“The concept alone was enough to see me part with the cover price, the fact that it’s as stunningly illustrated and printed as it is, well that’s just a bonus. The illustrations are big, bold and full of colour and portray the story so clearly that there’s almost no need for the text. The sign of a great picture book.”
–Dads And Design
“The theme: yes. The design: yes. The snappy, bold, in-your-face look at tough guys plus the snappy, bold, in-your-face look at feelings: yes.”
–Design of the Picture Book
“Make sure that your kids know it’s ok to express themselves with this subtle and funny book.”
–Mr Fox Magazine
“With tongue firmly in cheek, artist Negley presents a roll-call of traditionally male role models performing various manly pursuits, all with one thing in common. They are heavy of heart and have a wistful look in their eye. Some even dare to shed a tear or two – or three”
–My Little Style File
“A great book for helping children to recognise and understand their emotions, Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too) is an engaging conversation starter for all children, but especially for boys who will undoubtedly at some point be faced with this misleading gender stereotype.”
–Junior Magazine
“I found that this book is a really nice way to bring up the topic of feelings and that everyone has them, it could easily be used as a starting point to discuss the subject of different emotions with your child, to reassure them, and to talk about appropriate ways of dealing with emotions, something many children find difficult.”
–They Grow So Quick
“Our Book of the Week puts even the most lantern-jawed book reviewer in touch with his emotional side. Here’s the awesome “Tough Guys (Have Feelings Too)” by Keith Negley. It’s been a true delight to find a book that reassuringly pats us big strong super-tough macho guys (hah!) on the shoulder and says ‘Hey big fellah, it’s OK. You can cry, go on!'”
–Read It Daddy
“It’s great to see something that positively explores the idea of sensitive males.”
–Bambino Goodies
“Lovely, retro vibe to this simple line-to-a-page picture book that says it’s OK to care.”
–Angels and Urchins Magazine (print edition)
“This is without doubt, the perfect book to get children to open up about their feelings and emotions.”
–The Picture Books Blogger