Big Boys Cry - Hardcover

Let boys cry! This picture book imagines a world in which boys are encouraged to express their full range of emotions.

It’s Levi’s first day at a new school, and he’s scared. His father tries to comfort Levi by telling him “Big boys don’t cry.” Though the father immediately understands his misstep, he can’t find the words to comfort his son, and Levi leaves for school, still in need of reassurance.

Fortunately, along his walk to school, Levi sees instance after instance of grown men openly expressing their sadness and fear. His learned mantra, “Big boys don’t cry,” slowly weakens, and by the time he’s at school he releases a tear. Once he’s there, things aren’t so bad after all, and on his walk home he sees everyone he’s encountered earlier, feeling better now that they expressed their emotions. Upon his arrival home, he finds his father waiting for him on their porch, tears in his eyes. His father is able to admit that he was scared and the two embrace, closer than before.

Jonty Howley’s gorgeous debut paints the world we wish existed for the boys, and offers a path there! This story is the truest interpretation of the notion that we should “let boys be boys”: let them express the full range of their emotions, vulnerable parts and all!

Details:

• Hardcover
• By: Jonty Howley
• Published by: Random House Studio
• Published date: Jun 11, 2019
• 48 Pages
• Dimensions (inches): 11 x 8-1/2
• Ages: 3 - 7 years

Tears Tell Stories – When Levi’s dad reminds him it’s okay to cry, this tender tale shows boys that emotions are a strength, not a weakness.

Breaking Stereotypes – Gentle illustrations and heartfelt writing challenge outdated notions of masculinity.

Empowering Read-Aloud – A perfect pick for sparking conversations about feelings, empathy, and emotional resilience.

Shipping timelines

Orders are processed within 1–5 business days, excluding weekends and national holidays. Orders ship via USPS or UPS based on weight and destination, with ground delivery typically taking 3–7 business days. Tracking is provided, and signatures are required for orders over $200. We recommend using a secure delivery address. Pacifier is not responsible for theft or damage after tracking confirms delivery.

Pre-orders

Pre-order items ship within the timeframe listed on the product page. If the vendor changes the expected availability date, we’ll provide an update. Pre-orders may be canceled at any time before shipment.

Special shipping

Expedited shipping may be available for an additional fee outside of December. Call 612-767-8501 for rush shipping options. Standard shipping is available within the continental U.S.; for Alaska, Hawaii, or APO addresses, please call for availability and a shipping quote.

Contact hours

Our team is available Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4 PM CST, at 612-767-8501. We are closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

To request a return, email orders@pacifieronline.com with your name, order number, and the item(s) you’d like to return. We’ll respond within 2 business days with return authorization and shipping instructions for eligible items.

Returns made within 30 days of delivery are refunded to the original form of payment. Gifted items may be returned for store credit or a Pacifier gift card.

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Items must be new, unused, and in their original packaging with all seals intact. Strollers, car seats, and furniture may only be returned or exchanged if the original packaging remains sealed. Additional return timeframe restrictions may apply to these items.

Clearance items, special orders, and opened gear or furniture are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.

Questions? Call us at 612-767-8501.

For the fastest response, call us at 612-767-8501 during the week or use the contact form on this page. Our store team can also be reached at 612-623-8123 Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–6 PM CST, and Sunday, 11 AM–5 PM CST. We are closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

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We welcome new product submissions, especially locally made products. You can contact us using the form on this page, but mailed submissions and samples are more likely to stand out. Please do not stop by without an appointment.

Mail submissions and samples to:

Pacifier
245 2nd Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55401

If you’d like a sample returned, please include a prepaid return shipping label. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we’re unable to respond to every inquiry.

Thank you for your interest in Pacifier!