fisherman with tears in
his eyes, setting off on a
long trip.
"Big boys don't cry,"
said Levi.
Next, Levi saw a harpist,
lost in his music and
memories ... "
Going to a new school can be intimidating; Levi knows that only too well. He is scared, and he tells his dad that he is. His father is not sure how to handle the news. Hoping to help, he tells his son that 'big boys don't cry'. Off Levi goes, tears in his heart though not on his face.
The walk to school takes him past a fisherman, who is hugging his family as he heads off to sea. He is crying. Levi reminds himself of his father's advice. Further on, he notices a harpist crying over his music and memories, and two emotional poets reading aloud what they have written. Again, he reminds himself of his father's words.
Along the way he passes men of all professions and passions crying in response to the day's events. He is surprised to see so many 'big boys' expressing their emotions through tears. Finally arriving at school, he is warmly welcomed and asked to join everyone as they spend their first day together. Time there passes quickly; Levi is soon on his way home at the end of the day.
Levi's father is waiting for him, with tears in his eyes. Seems Papa was scared, too. It turns out that this first day at a new school taught Levi a fine lesson to share with his beloved dad. All is well.
The setting is a quiet village by the sea, where there is much action and people from all walks of life. Details presented offer a bit of a back story for readers. Papa is doing his best to help Levi cope with a new and emotional situation. In the end, the important lesson is that not all of the tears are about being sad.
In an interview, Jonty Howley expresses his hope for this story:
"My hope for Big Boys Cry is that by presenting a fun, colorful world where healthy expression of emotion has no negative stigma, readers will see that the characters are in no way weakened by their feelings, but rather strengthened and enriched by them."
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