This Is My Brain!

September 1, 2024

K-Gr 3-Gravel delivers important information with this colorful picture book about neurodiversity and how the brain works. Each page offers a simple sentence stating something significant about the brain. Below each sentence are vibrant, bold pictures with a solid background. Brain and other bloblike characters, many from the author's previous books, demonstrate and explicate everything about the statement, along with thought or speech bubbles to drive the point home. "Sometimes our brains face challenges and struggles, just like our bodies do. When this happens we can help our brains by talking to someone." Readers will not only learn about how the brain works, but also how every brain experiences things differently than others-which is what makes each person unique and special. Gravel uses the analogy of one person's brain wearing a different colored pair of glasses. Themes include respecting differences, kindness, and a basic description of how the brain works. VERDICT An excellent purchase to help readers learn about the importance of the brain, and a great addition to Gravel's other nonfiction titles.-Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2024
An affirmation that brains have plenty of important jobs and, often, different ways of doing them. Rightly noting that all brains "look pretty much the same," Gravel keeps things simple, both conceptually and in her cartoon images of a pink lump resembling a "squishy [wad] of chewing gum" and kitted out with googly eyes. Brains, her cerebral narrator proclaims, have many "superpowers," from thinking and feeling to collecting information and telling us what to do. While the brains of neurodiverse and neurotypical people may physically look similar, Gravel notes that we may learn at different speeds or in different ways; some may need help from a friend. Some of us may act or feel differently ("all our feelings are valid," Gravel stresses), and sometimes those differences can be confusing to us or others. Still, if all brains were the same, the world would be "very boring." Therefore, the author/illustrator concludes, we can keep our brains happy and healthy by taking proper care of our bodies and talking about our feelings. The potato-shaped bodies in the illustrations come in a variety of sizes and colors; some wear eyeglasses or sunglasses of different styles, and one figure uses a wheelchair. A simple, wholesome message, focused more on reassurance than categorization.(Picture book. 5-7)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 15, 2024
Grades 1-4 Though all brains look "like big, jellyish, squishy wads of chewing gum," each one is unique--and with a friendly "Hey!" from an anthropomorphic brain, we're off to learn more! With her trademark conversational text and minimalist cartoons of colorful, monster-like beings, Gravel explains the basics of how brains work and celebrates their differences. Giggle-worthy speech bubbles (familiar to fans of Gravel's Disgusting Critters series) demonstrate that brains direct us not only to "run!" and "count to 3," but also to "say hi to Grandma!" and "fart!" Though no diagnoses are named, readers may recognize themselves and others in the characters who use wheelchairs, learn at different speeds, are "very sad these days," or find that "loud music makes [them] feel AWFUL!" Kid-friendly text explains the challenge and importance of respecting all kinds of brains, and describes how to care for our physical brains (eat right, sleep) as well as their less tangible aspects (talk about your feelings). Readers just becoming aware of and curious about their (and others') brains will embrace this approachable, upbeat introduction.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 23, 2024
Gravel’s signature creature-filled cartoons celebrate brains’ beautiful diversity. With googly eyes, skinny arms and legs, and a cheerful-appearing disposition, the “big, jellyish, squishy” brain that stars fills panels with speech-bubble commentary as narration lauds the subject’s “superpowers!” Simple text emphasizes that “every brain works DIFFERENTLY,” and multicolored monsters describe varied styles of learning (via tactile methods, alone, with others, and more) and perceiving the world. Cheery coloring and bright round characters, depicted with varying abilities, impart a reassuring message of open-mindedness and compassion toward others and self. While the book never directly explores neurodiversity as a term, its emphasis on acceptance and experience (“It’s a bit like our brains are wearing different colored glasses”) hints at the paradigm. Ages 8–12.