Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen: Empowering Boys Through the Power of Story

In a small home tucked between the hills of Kigali, 8-year-old Musa sits cross-legged on the floor, eyes wide as his older brother reads Chibu’s Special Day out loud. With every word, Musa sees himself not just in Chibu’s joy, but in the way he’s celebrated, cared for, and loved. In that moment, Musa doesn’t just read, he feels it: I matter too.

On May 16, 2025, the world marks International Day of the Boy Child under a theme that echoes Musa’s journey “Building Self-esteem in Boys: Stand Up, Be Heard, Be Seen.” It’s a call to uplift boys everywhere to help them find their voices in a world that often tells them to stay silent.

The Confidence Crisis No One Talks About

Across continents from the bustling streets of Lagos to the mountain villages of Romania, boys are silently struggling. While global movements continue to champion girls’ education and empowerment (rightfully so), many boys are falling behind.

They're told to “man up” before they even know what that means. They’re expected to hide their fears, swallow their tears, and stay tough even when they’re hurting or falling behind in class. And in far too many places, literacy is quietly coded as something “not for boys.” That idea is closing doors before they even open.

Where Are the Stories for Boys Like Musa?

At NABU, we know one truth: stories shape identity. When children see themselves in books, they begin to believe in who they are and who they can become.

That’s why we’ve made it our mission to create and share stories that reflect every child’s world including boys like Musa. Through our mobile app, webreader (read.nabu.org), and YouTube channel ReadWithNABU, boys across Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, the Philippines, South Africa, and Romania are discovering something powerful: books can be a mirror and a megaphone.

Stories That Let Boys See Themselves

From shy dreamers to bold adventurers, NABU’s collection features boys as the heart of the story, not just side characters or troublemakers. These stories help build confidence, empathy, and a love for reading.

Here are some of the boys from read.nabu.org:

• Chibu from Chibu’s Special Day – A young boy celebrates his second birthday in Chibu’s Special Day, where his home fills with warmth, music, and laughter as Mummy and Grandma bake a delicious cake, Daddy helps him get ready, and friends arrive to dance, sing, and share in the joy showing that with family and love, every celebration becomes a magical memory.
• Baraka from Baraka the Chess Champion – A curious and talented boy who loves chess, Baraka embarks on a journey of self-discovery as he learns about identity, diversity, and acceptance. Through friendship, family, and the game he loves, Baraka discovers that what makes us different also makes us special and that love and belonging go deeper than skin.
• Buboy from Buboy's Race – A shy but lightning-fast boy from Caloocan who struggles with dyslexia but finds strength in his speed, creativity, and heart. After saving a family from a burning house, Buboy shows his town that true heroes come in many forms and that kindness, courage, and invention can change how the world sees you.
• Didi from Didi Loves Honey – A curious boy with a sweet tooth for honey, who sets out on a funny adventure with his sister to find out where honey comes from. Along the way, he learns about bees, wildflowers, and the magic of nature’s teamwork discovering that understanding where things come from can make us love them even more.
• Adi & Gabi from A Spiky Ball – A story of two boys, Adi and Gabi, spending a quiet afternoon in the yard when their playful puppy Spinner barked at something in the bushes. To their surprise, it was a baby hedgehog, curled up tightly in fear. With gentle hearts and curious minds, the boys sprang into action. They asked for help, used gardening gloves and cat food to care for the tiny creature, and worked together to return it to its family in the park. Along the way, they learned that being brave and kind means caring for even the smallest creatures.
• Gatoya from Gakuru from Dare to Try – A story of twin boys who look the same but feel very different, Gatoya, who loves learning, and Gakuru, who dreams of becoming a football star, as they open up about their struggles and support each other, showing that with effort, encouragement, and teamwork, anything is possible.

Each story is written and illustrated by local creators, portraying boys as kind, clever, emotional, brave, and full of potential in their own language and cultural context.

More Than Words on a Page

In a classroom in Kano, Nigeria, 10-year-old Yusuf used to dread reading time. “It’s boring,” he said. “None of the books are about me.” That changed when his school joined NABU’s literacy initiative in partnership with HP Creative Labs.

Now, Yusuf races to grab books with characters who wear clothes like his, speak like him, and dream like him. Stories transformed him from a reluctant reader to the first to raise his hand at storytime. Confidence begins with connection.

And in the hills of Kenya, NABU’s Bridge to Literacy program is helping boys like Kibet hear stories in their own language, thanks to trained reading ambassadors who bring books to communities in Kiswahili and Kalenjin. Even homes without the internet can join in through NABU’s 15 Minutes to Literacy radio show bringing storytime to life through the airwaves.

Boys Deserve to Be Seen

Representation matters. When a boy sees a hero who looks like him in a book whether he’s building a rocket ship, helping a friend, or exploring the sea, he learns that his thoughts, feelings, and dreams belong. That he belongs.

To date, NABU has:

📚 Published over 1,200 multilingual, inclusive books many centered on boys’ lives and experiences 👦🏾 Reached more than 12 million children globally 👨‍🏫 Trained over 2,500 educators to read aloud in ways that engage all children especially boys who’ve been left out of the story

And this is only the beginning.

In the Philippines and South Africa, we’re piloting new stories written by local authors, for boys and girls. Tales about fishing trips, neighborhood football matches, and quiet moments with grandfathers. Because every boy’s story matters.

A Story Can Build a Life

Supporting boys through literacy isn’t about taking the spotlight from girls, it's about sharing it. It’s about creating a world where every child, regardless of gender, can grow with confidence, kindness, and curiosity.

As we celebrate International Day of the Boy Child 2025, let’s listen more closely to the quiet boys in our classrooms, the rowdy ones in the yard, the shy ones in the back row. Let’s hand them books that tell them:

📣 You matter. You are seen. Your story is worth telling.

Let’s help them stand up, be heard, and be seen.
🔗 Explore stories for boys and every child at read.nabu.org 🎥 Watch read-alouds on YouTube.com/@ReadWithNABU