The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal
The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal
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Perma-Bound from Publisher's Hardcover ©2019--
Publisher's Hardcover ©2019--
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Annotation: Focuses on the computer-like human brain, explaining its essential role in running the body, processing messages, and storing memories.
Genre: [Health]
 
Reviews: 3
Catalog Number: #212350
Format: Perma-Bound from Publisher's Hardcover
Common Core/STEAM: STEAM STEAM
Copyright Date: 2019
Edition Date: 2019 Release Date: 10/01/19
Pages: 1 volume (unpaged)
ISBN: Publisher: 1-338-16700-6 Perma-Bound: 0-605-02960-1
ISBN 13: Publisher: 978-1-338-16700-9 Perma-Bound: 978-0-605-02960-6
Dewey: 612.8
LCCN: 2018051919
Dimensions: 24 cm.
Language: English
Reviews:
ALA Booklist (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Seluk, the cartoonist behind the popular Awkward Yeti webcomic, calls upon some of his physiological characters to teach kids about the almighty brain. The cover features Brain as the lead in a band, supported by Heart, Stomach, Tongue, Lungs, and Muscle thropomorphized with eyes and limbs d while this focuses on brain function, it accordingly ties in various other body parts and functions, including language processing, the senses, memory, movement, and emotion. Humor is the platter on which science is served, and everything here is done with the lightest touch. "Don't worry, you don't have to remember their names," Brain says after labeling his different lobes. Funny cartoons are used to illustrate each concept, often with short comic strips dramatizing the core idea. Small, informative digressions are housed in little asides labeled "Smart Stuff," and important terms are highlighted in bold, with back matter containing a glossary of definitions as well as "wild facts about animal brains," though no sources are cited. A winning balance of laughter and learning.

Kirkus Reviews

An introduction to the lead guitar and vocalist for the Brainiacs—the human brain.The brain (familiar to readers of Seluk's "The Awkward Yeti" webcomic, which spun off the adult title Heart and Brain, 2015) looks like a dodgeball with arms and legs—pinkish, sturdy, and roundish, with a pair of square-framed spectacles bestowing an air of importance and hipness. Other organs of the body—tongue, lungs, stomach, muscle, and heart—are featured as members of the brain's rock band (the verso of the dust jacket is a poster of the band). Seluk's breezy, conversational prose and brightly colored, boldly outlined cartoon illustrations deliver basic information. The brain's role in keeping the heart beating and other automatic functions, directing body movements, interpreting sights and sounds, remembering smells and tastes, and regulating sleep and hunger are all explained, prose augmented by dialogue balloons and information sidebars. Seluk points out, importantly, that feelings originate in the brain: "You can control how you react…but your feelings happen no matter what." The parodied album covers on the front endpapers (including the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Green Day, Run DMC, Queen, Nirvana) will amuse parents—or at least grandparents—and the rear endpapers serve up band members' clever social media and texting screenshots. Backmatter includes a glossary and further brain trivia but no resources or bibliography.A good overview of this complex, essential organ, with an energetic seasoning of silliness. (Informational picture book. 6-8)

School Library Journal (Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Gr 3-5 Seluk intermingles simple information on the role of the brain and how we learn with silly, humorous comics-style illustrations. A round pink brain wearing square glasses tries to make the other organs behave. A smart fact section on this page explains involuntary vs. voluntary functions. Some organs might be difficult for youngsters to recognize in the illustrations. Color pages help the text stand out, and every inch of the book is used. VERDICT Though some of the humor will fly over kids' heads, they will enjoy the silliness. Paired with Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak, this is a winner. Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio

Reviewing Agencies: - Find Other Reviewed Titles
ALA Booklist (Thu Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)
Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal (Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)
Word Count: 1,514
Reading Level: 3.6
Interest Level: K-3
Accelerated Reader: reading level: 3.6 / points: 0.5 / quiz: 504029 / grade: Lower Grades
Reading Counts!: reading level:3.3 / points:2.0 / quiz:Q77528
Lexile: 580L

Oh hey, guess what? New York Times bestseller Nick Seluk has a hilarious new nonfiction picture book all about your body's very own computer -- the brain!

Have you ever thought about everything your brain does for you? It is always working to keep you alive and safe. (Plus it lets you think about funny stuff, too.) So why is the brain such a big deal? Because it makes you YOU, of course!This funny and factual picture book from Heart and Brain creator Nick Seluk explains the science behind everything the brain helps you do: keeping your heart beating, telling you when you are sleepy, remembering stuff, and more. The brain is in charge of everything you do, every minute of every day for your entire life. That's kind of a big deal.Each spread features bite-sized text and comic-style art with sidebars sprinkled throughout. Anthropomorphized organs and body parts -- recognizable from Nick Seluk's New York Times bestselling book -- help readers learn through funny jokes and comic panels. Funny, smart, and accessible, The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal is a must-have!


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