I have young boys between the ages of 2 and 8, and I read them story books almost every night, both picture books and chapter books.

With all the changes that are going on in our society (the rise of feminism, "toxic" masculinity, the APA labeling "traditional masculinity" as a mental disorder), I started wondering the other day: What stories can I read my sons to intentionally instill a healthy and biblical model of traditional masculinity? While culture is adrift trying to make sure stories are gender neutral and that girls take the lead while boys become "gentle", how can I encourage a robust and lordly masculinity in my sons through what we read?

One set of books that comes to mind is C.S. Lewis' *The Chronicles of Narnia* which we've already listened to together on audio. Male characters are seen protecting female characters. The sisters in the novel sometimes argue with their brothers but are also urged to follow their brother's lead because he is the High King. (Note: there *is* a *High King* in these novels, not a High Queen.) It's shown that the girls *can* fight but it's also discouraged because war becomes ugly when women are involved - men should do the fighting. Several male characters go through redemption, character development, putting aside childishness, taking on manly virtues like self-sacrifice, protectiveness, perseverance, etc. Of course these books also show a vibrant adventure life and character development for the girls in the story; but the gender roles still reflect a fairly traditional view of masculinity and femininity.

*The Children's Book of Virtues* by William J. Bennett has a collection of stories, some of which a father could use as a jumping-off point for discussing masculine virtues. The retelling of St. George and the Dragon has a knight leaving the safe lands he has tamed to look for danger and injustice that he can make right in other lands. He ends up putting himself in danger to help a princess and her people; but first calls out the question: Why isn't there a man here to fight this dragon instead of you, a woman? He kills the dragon by his skill, weds the princess, and eventually becomes king of the land, ruling with justice and benevolence.

So I thought I would ask the question to open up the discussion. What books have you noted where the story or the characters exemplify the virtues of being a man and could be a model to our sons? What stands out about the book as celebrating masculinity as God intended it?