The Big Book of Boy Stuff [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Bart King (Author), Chris Sabatino (Illustrator)

Book Description

There's this boy. Let's say he's somewhere between nine and thirteen years old or so. You'd like to see this kid get creative. You'd like to see him get some exercise. You'd like to see him get out from in front of the television. And you'd love for him to be motivated enough to find some stuff to do on his own.

This boy NEEDS The Big Book of Boy Stuff!

This thick, durable book includes fascinating chapters on gross stuff, magic, emergencies, fireworks, games, experiments, jokes, activities, insults, pets, flying things, and, of course, duct tape.

Boys can learn fun experiments such as how to create a "Monster in a Box" using a shoebox, a flowerpot, and a potato. Next, they can work on building a pneumatic rocket made out of a lip balm tube and air. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to these fun and entertaining projects. No boyhood is complete without a copy!

The Big Book of Boy Stuff has all the important information that boys just have to know:

• How can I make a rocket?
• What do I do if I get a bean stuck up my nose?
• How can I make lightning without killing myself?
  
• Where can I find new practical jokes?
• What is the best way to poop outside?
• How do I tell a girl I like her?
• Why would I tell a girl I like her?
• How many mosquitoes does it take to suck all the blood out of a person?
• What's that smell? . . . and many, many more!

The veteran of many water-balloon wars, Bart King has twice won the prized "Arrested Development" award from the New York Society of Amateur Psychologists. He has been a middle-school teacher for the past fifteen years. This is his first book, unless you count that other one he wrote. Bart has interviewed hundreds of the country's wisest guys and smartest alecks for the incredible material in The Big Book of Boy Stuff.

Bart invites you to visit this book's website at: www.bartking.net

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8–This is a very uneven book, with some sections highly creative, informative, and fun and others almost insulting to youngsters (in one paragraph on how to make noises the author states, "being able to make a farting or bombing sound is very important to your career as a boy"). King begins by chastising those readers who might be looking for political correctness and warns that this title will be gross at times but suggests that he is offering what boys really want. Alphabetically arranged chapters range from "Dumb Directions on Products" to "Girls, Bullies and Parties," to "Man Food for Manhood!" (Spamburgers, crapola cookies, etc.), and include activities, jokes, and a few facts. The author points out that boys should really know how to use the kitchen and provides first-date advice. Unfortunately, his tone is so casual that the good suggestions he presents are likely to be lost in the silliness and the "boys will be boys" approach. The long list of reading recommendations gives no indication of age appropriateness.–Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"(King) has managed to strike a balance between excitement and safety, goofiness and good information." -- The Vancouver Sun, 8/14/04

"It’s fast, often rude, very funny... Adults are liable to appreciate this book every bit as much as typical ‘boys.’" -- Statesman Journal (Salem, OR), 8/29/04

"My brothers would have memorized the contents of this book...it would have made them very popular on the playground." -- Margie Boulé, columnist, The Oregonian

"This is a great way to get your kids to read." -- The Bob & Tom Show, September 16,2004

"Written for both adults and kids, this book is useful to either group." -- Chicago Parent, September 2004

Hilarious, disgusting... It’s fast, often rude, very funny and features great illustrations. -- Statesman Journal, August 29, 2004

It will perfectly entertain all boys who love experiments, weird facts, gross stuff, flying things, and armpit bagpipes. -- Los Angeles Family Gift Guide, Fall 2004

The ultimate compilation of everything you possibly could need to know about being a guy.... nearly impossible to put down. -- Post and Courier (Charleston) October 12, 2004

This book is very funny, useful and approved by the Federal Burping Institute. -- Chicago Parent, September 2004

[It] appeals to people who used to be boys, or who have raised boys or married boys. -- Deseret News, September 24, 2004

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Gibbs Smith; First Edition edition (July 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1586853333
• ISBN-13: 978-1586853334
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,525 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #69 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Activity Books

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 99 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't get my son to put this one down, April 20, 2006

By 

K. Corn "reviewer" (midwest, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Big Book of Boy Stuff (Paperback)

Okay, first things first. I know this book is sure to offend some people. It contains borderline or even overtly rude tricks, gags and activities. But hey...ever listen to the average boy when he really lets loose with his friends, especially when they head towards adolesence? It is often "no holds barred" as they figure out the rules of life. You gotta cross over the line sometimes before you figure out where the line should be.
I found this book is a pretty tame outlet for energies that could express themselves in far more destructive ways. Plus, the author does balance the "gross out" factor with solid safety info, such as the section on fireworks where he cautions kids against going up to a firework after its been lit, even if it seems like a dud, suggests they have adults around, stay away from buildings or anything that could catch fire, etc.
Now for my kid's take on this book. He really enjoyed learning how to make all sorts of weird sounds, got some amazed raves when he did the magic tricks and..yes...he even grossed out his friends with the "poopy diaper" trick (peanut butter in a diaper). The latter gag was thoroughly disgusting, which pleased my son immensely.
This is definitely a great book to have around for rainy days or when boredom strikes on vacations or summer breaks.

53 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's impossible to over-rate this book..., August 20, 2004

By 

Jan Koenig - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Big Book of Boy Stuff (Paperback)

I'm the proud mother of four boys, and though they are all quite different, when it comes to THE BIG BOOK OF BOY STUFF, it doesn't matter... they ALL want to read it at once! Talk about encouraging literacy! I've had to get multiple copies of this one. They really seem to love the "Gross Stuff" and "Magic" chapters. My third-oldest was so taken with the "Emergencies!" chapter (fun and practical information on boy emergencies), he now wants to be a fireman! I don't want to oversell this book, but I can safely say it is the overall favorite book my boys have ever agreed upon. It would be a great gift for any boy 8-15, although I can say that my husband chuckles over it as well.

56 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listen to the boys, not the Library Reviewer!, September 17, 2005

By 

Mom of Sons (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Big Book of Boy Stuff (Paperback)

Leave it to a Library Association reviewer to throw cold water on this type of fun book your kid will actually CHOOSE to pick up and read, and carry with him on vacation, and read in bed. Only a stuffy academic would denigrate this funny, quirky book as "insulting to children" and "uneven." My 9-year-old son didn't have any such complaints. He was too busy learning how to make louder noises with his armpits to care that the Libary Association found it "insulting" to him! The reading lists from school are usually filled with Zzzzz-inducing "classic" titles we have to force our kids to read - that is why they are on the required reading list! You won't have to force your son to pick up this book. Promise.