BOYS ARE BEST!
by Manuela Olten & illustrated by Manuela Olten
Along the lines of Ole Könnecke’s Anthony and the Girls (2006), here’s another import that takes a dig at masculine pretensions and is aimed at an older audience than its primary-reader look might suggest. Side by side in bed, two lads sneer at girls for combing their dolls’ hair all day and being such ’fraidy cats. The reckless claim that they’re even afraid of ghosts, though, brings a sudden change of mood, and a few pages later the two, having thoroughly frightened themselves, are climbing into bed with the very girl (presumably in the next bedroom) they’ve been dissing. Painting cartoon youngsters who look like chunky, tan eggplants, Olten alternates between the dynamic duo bouncing on the bed (and in one scene flashing butt cracks in tandem) and a girl with flyaway braids contentedly surrounded by dolls and teddy bears. The text runs to a few big words per page, capped by the smiling girl’s closing comment that “Boys are so silly.” For storytime chuckles, pair this with a tale in which the roles are reversed—if you can find one. (Picture book. 6-8)