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The series is designed to help young boys cultivate a healthy understanding of their feelings, emotions, and sense of self. It consists of three titles, each with a distinct theme: Lio & Hari yang Buruk (emotions and feelings), Cara Rino Jadi Berani (courage and fear), and Tuki Jadi Diri Sendiri (uniqueness and diversity). Through these stories, Athaya seeks to challenge harmful gender stereotypes often imposed on boys, such as “boys shouldn’t cry” or “boys must always be strong.”

This project stems from Athaya’s concern for children’s and young people’s mental health. She believes that instilling positive values from an early age can equip children with the resilience needed to face the complexities of adulthood. Her initial inspiration came from personal experiences with her two younger brothers. In daily life, she often heard gender-stereotypical remarks directed at them by parents, albeit without harmful intent.

This reflection motivated her to create a work that raises awareness of the long-term impacts of gender stereotypes. “I believe that positive values instilled from an early age can help children navigate the complexities of adulthood. Through the Big Heart Boys Series, I seek to raise awareness of the negative gender stereotypes that boys often encounter,” she explained.

In the creative process, Athaya faced the challenge of delivering a complex message in language that children could easily understand. She combined narratives drawn from everyday life with interactive elements integrated into several book pages. This approach proved effective when tested with children aged 7–9 years. The response was overwhelmingly positive; most children rated the series “10 out of 10” and related closely to the main character, Lio. They also expressed great enthusiasm for the interactive features, which they considered novel and enjoyable.

Athaya emphasized that fostering awareness of feelings, empathy, and emotions is important for all children, but especially for boys, who are often subjected to negative gender stereotypes. Left unaddressed, such stereotypes can hinder emotional development into adulthood, discouraging men from expressing themselves, avoiding vulnerability, and even contributing to the perpetuation of toxic masculinity in society.

Through the Big Heart Boys Series, Athaya hopes that both boys and girls will grow with a healthy understanding of their feelings, emotions, identities, and free from the constraints of harmful gender norms and stereotypes. She also expressed her aspiration for the series to be published widely so that more children can benefit from it. Looking ahead, Athaya plans to continue her work by developing a similar series specifically designed for young girls.