Friday, May 18, 2007

Danger! A Book for Boys.

UPDATED: That's right, there's yet another giveaway. Check it out below.

I've almost positive I've never been described as dangerous. Even when I spent my formative years on a ranch in Texas...outside with boy cousins and my very outdoorsy brother, covered in mud, collecting cool bugs, fishing things, shooting things, barefoot with skinned knees and lightening bugs. We ran as a pack, and the fact that I was a girl never occurred to any of us to make a bit of difference. But still. I've always thought being wild, free, and outdoors was my nurture, but maybe not my nature.

So as things go and because that was approximatly 17 lives ago, I'm not really that adventurous, outdoorsy type anymore. Kind of like when Peter Pan grows up to be Robin Williams as a lawyer. Only with less law and more martinis.

And then I had a little boy.

And the adventure began again.

Because my little boy would rather be outside than look at you. In fact, the first thing he does each morning is moan, very sleepily get out of bed, aimlessly and shoelessly patter around, slowly realize he's awake and (gasp!) inside, and bang on the back door with the intensity of an inmate to please for the love of God be let out. This entire process, from bed to backyard, takes approximatly 45 seconds to complete.

Because he's athletic, he's adventurous, he's mechanical, he's outdoorsy, and he's stereotypically all boy.

And I'm the opposite. Plus, I'm downright bookish.

So thank the goodness there's a book to help me.


The Parent Bloggers Network sent it for me to review, and I honestly can not give this book enough praise. It's so chock full of goodness, I don't know where to start. Except at the begining with a quote from Sir Frederick Treves.
"Be loyal. Be kind. Remember that the hardest thing to acquire is the faculty of being unselfish. As a quality, it is one of the finest attirbutes of manliness."
Then the authors start.
"In this age of video games and cell phones, there must still be a place for knots, treehouses, and stories of incredible courage."
And they keep going.
With extraordinary stories of courage and determination. And tips on Morse code. How to make crystals. The rules of rugby. History lessons on famous battles. First aid. Navigation. Coin tricks. Commom trees. Timers and tripwires. Juggling. Cloud formations. Girls. Even understanding grammar, sampling Shakespeare, and poems every boy should know (and they aren't limericks). Awesome!

So, right. That makes sense. Being a boy isn't just about being outside, it's about being excellent.

And being adventurous has nothing to do with extreme sports or coordination. It's about the learning, the growing, and the discovering. I'd forgotten. In my air conditioned, wifi world, where adventure happens on a TV island, I'd forgotten.

Now if the book just had something on how to go on slides without tearing your suit pants.

Because obviously I need this book too. I have a lot to learn. And I have a lot to remember. There are so many reasons that I'm thankful I've been blessed with a little boy in my life. And learning how to discover outside again is one of them.

So Here's What I Really Thought: I love this book. I'm not kidding. The content is amazing. The binding is beautiful. It's smart. It's brilliant. In fact, I honestly think it's a must have for anyone who is a boy, who is dating a boy, is married to a boy, or knows a boy. It's also the most fantastic birthday present for boys of all ages. I just took a copy to a 37-year-old birthday party, and it was a huge hit. You absolutely should look into this book. You will not be disappointed.

In fact, I think this book is so great that I firmly believe someone needs to win one. So leave a comment here, and the Hurricane will draw. Comments will be open until 10 p.m. PST on Monday, May 21. You seriously better hope you win. Or, if you want to be sure you get your hands on a copy of this book, you can buy one here.

OR. Here's an update. Visit Parent Bloggers Network and share your own childhood memories in the comments and you’ll be entered to win a Vector 22 Two-Man Tent from The North Face! Winner to be announced in our Round-Up Review on May 22.

Update: Marenmadsen, you won! Email me.

32 comments:

Rachel said...

We absolutely NEED this in our lives!

homemade by jill said...

I have 6 brothers and 14 nephews. I must have this book!

allison said...

I've already given this as a gift and I'd love a copy for myself now!

ikkinlala said...

This looks like a wonderful book. I'd love a chance to win a copy (if the draw is open to Canadians).

S'mee said...

....married into a family of boys, had three boys myself, and now is the gramma to two boys and counting...

add me to this list!

divrchk said...

I'd love to have this book for my son. I've heard such greta things about it.

mj said...

I really want this book!

Becky said...

Yes, please!

Stine said...

I've been eyeing this book for a long time, but just haven't been able to spend the money. But I would LOVE to win it!

Girl con Queso said...

The draw is definitely open to Canadians. And Algerians.

Melanie said...

This is such a great idea for a book. What little boy could resist something called "dangerous"?

Anonymous said...

Enter me, dude!

Magpie said...

I totally need this for my GIRL. :)

Sara said...

YES PLEASE! Three boys in the house!

SingleG said...

Sign me up....I need all the help I can get in communicating and understanding "boys".

Unknown said...

Great review! Crossing my fingers!

kpaull said...

Finally- here is the handbook they said boys did not come with! Does it come with a decoder ring?

Lady M said...

This sounds fabulous! I used to be such an adventurous kid - building dams with rocks on the creek running through out backyard, climbing trees, sledding. Then for years, I didn't step off the sidewalk. I'm slowly rediscovering the outdoors with the kiddo.

I liked your tandem slide story. Hope the pants hold up!

mamacita said...

Crossing my fingers...

Mindful Momma said...

This would be great for my 7 year old's Birthday - it's TODAY!!

Jennifer said...

Sounds like the perfect book for my house, which consists of one man, who is just a big boy, and two little boys!

Sarai said...

I can;t decide whether to give this as a gift to my father for his 70th birthday, to my twin brother for his 45th birthday, to my husband (for no reason), or to buy it and save it for my unborn son!

jennifer said...

I really need this book. My 10 year old rode his tricycle down the side of a mountain at 3, and hasn't stopped since, and my 12 year old is on the downhill ski team. If I don't win it here I'm definitely going to order it! Thanks so much

Mamalang said...

I've already put this on my must have list...both for my boy, who is very much like the hurricane in his need for outdoors, and for my girls, who have already been raised as tomboys, and need new adventures. pick me please :)

Christy said...

I'd love to have a copy of this for the boys in my life.

Holly Snyder Thompson said...

I've been hearing a lot about this book! I'd love one...

Maren said...

I have two little boys who are also desperate to be outside all day. This sounds like the book for us!

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

I don't even have a little boy and I want to read it.

dalene said...

I have three boys, four brothers, one husband...oh don't get me started.

Pick me! Pick me!

Anonymous said...

Honestly, I need this book. When did you start this "cool stuff thing?" Its pretty darn cool!

Maren said...

I used the email address you have on the homepage of your blog. Hope it's the right one! Thanks so much for the book!

Melanie DeToma said...

I'm a sister to two boys and a mother of two boys. I think some insight into a boy's mind would do me good. Enter me to win!