The Bottom Line: Here's a neat book that will both entertain and edify. I just wish it had explained the cause of brain storms and how to clean up afterwards.
Do you lose sleep over our children falling behind the Koreans, Japanese, Slovenians, Dutch, Irish and a host of others in math and science? Are you worried about the young generation's ability to compete in the global economy because of declining math and science performance? Knee jerkers have solutions. Spend more money on electronic gadgets, new books, and teacher salaries. Give blank government checks to school boards. Extend the school day, adding instructional time in math and science. Flood the Advanced Placement science and math classes with students regardless of abilities or interests. And of course, there's the mother of all educational solutions, add more standardized tests and measurements.
If you're not yet in panic mode, but only mildly concerned about this "crisis", there is an easier, more benign solution. Increase interest in science and math at an early age with exposure to positive experiences, practical applications, and motivational books. One such book is Brains by Kate Lennard. It's one of the Young Genius entries from Barron's Educational Series, Inc.
Bones. Brains. Digestion. Eyes. All of these topics are explored in the Young Genius series of books. In these books a young boy explores various parts of the body, shares information, gives advice, asks challenging questions, and does so with uncommon humor. In this volume Young Genius shares information about the brain's anatomy, the brain's functions, the brain's needs, and related topics such as diet, learning, sleep, and mnemonics. Brain is a book of surprises, dispensing information in so many ways and formats that no two pages in the book look the same. On one page a wall screen is pulled down by the little mouse hanging on the ring at the end of the pull cord. On another page is a brain with a movable flap demonstrating the left and right sides of the brain. Then there are pages of brainteasers, brain matching, and a full page demonstrating a way to memorize that Saturn has rings. On almost every page there's the little mouse participating in the page's lesson. The book concludes with a brain riddle (How do two brains say good-bye?) and a page about a brain surgeon career. I mention the location of the brain doctor page so readers can avoid surgeon for it.
Random Thoughts of a Potato Brain
The effective graphics provided by Eivind Gulliksen, a blend of realism and cartoon central, are terrific and complement the text perfectly. One can study every page in a search for hidden jokes and little surprises. The two-page bookshelf spread on the title/publisher's pages are full of whimsical details that set the tone for the book. An eclectic mix of items can be found on the shelves: brains in bottles, toys, a jar of gumballs, photo of Boy Genius and his mouse, lots of appropriate book titles (even one with Barron's on the spine) , and the the book's title spelled out in a font that looks like brains. Later in the book is a matching activity with color-coded brain parts. Lots of fun.
I like that the author and artist never seem to lose track of the readers' ages. Complex terms are explained in simple language, amply reinforced with the graphics. Lennard's use of simile is wonderful too. "Scans can be taken at spaces across the head like slices through a loaf of bread." "The brain stem is like the stem of a flower." "My brain is as heavy as a potato." "A teacher's brain is as heavy as a pumpkin." Though I appreciate that last simile, it is a bit of an exaggeration, even for my brain.
Many parents will like the gentle prodding of the reader to maintain good habits for good brain health. She touches on the importance of sleep and wearing helmets during play and work. One theme not quite based on fact is the brain juice metaphor. Lennard talks about squeezing the brain to make brain juice. Do good things for the brain to make good brain juice. Smoke, eat fatty foods, and stay up all night watching TV if you want to make bad brain juice. The graphics accompanying the brain juice text are hilarious.
Finally -
I love this book, one that teaches and entertains on every page. Brains is sheer genius.
32 unnumbered pages Reading level - ages 4 to 8 Barron's Educational Series (January 12, 2007) Dimensions - 8.3 x 7 x 0.5 inches First published in Great Britain in 2006 This edition was printed in CHINA.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.