I didn't see "manly" at all but the backgrounds on the animals of those 3 squares were a little dark...I think the critters are really cute, esp the foxes and turtles and monkeys on other blocks..I don't want her to see them since its for Christmas but shes seen the 10" squares of animals I had laying around, just not what I'm doing with them. Her remark was "ahhhh so cute"...thanks for input!!