BOYS - AN ILLUSTRATED FIELD GUIDE BY HEATHER ROSS

I was handed this book by a work colleague who heard I enjoyed reviewing children’s books. Although it was on the short side, I thought I’d glance through it. I was hooked from the very start.

Boys – An Illustrated Field Guide is a wonderful book aimed at girls aged between 11-14 years. With gentle humour and delightful prose, each sort of boy a girl may encounter is explained. Laid out like a naturalist’s field notes, with diagrams and likely habitats, Ross takes the reader through categories such as Wild Boys or Smart Boys or Quiet Boys.

Each one is described briefly but with all the important details, ending with a suggestion of what you, the subject of this boy’s attention, should remember. For instance, with Dangerous Boys you should be a “Girl Who Watches Out for Herself.” 

I admired the way each boy was portrayed without prejudice or judgement of any kind. It is never said you shouldn’t go out with one of these boys, just that you need to look out for yourself.

Near the end there is a section on what to do when you meet “That Boy”. The one who makes your heart beat faster; the one who takes your breath away. She even covers what to do when your heart is broken.

This pocket-sized guide to love for beginners is a wonderful instruction manual. It could also be useful to those who may be older, but not necessarily wiser, when it comes to the art of love.

 For Ages: 11-14 years old

Number of Pages: 80 in hardback format.

Published: September 2017

Themes: Navigating relationships and knowing yourself.

Rating: 4/5