Your Brain Is a Lump of Goo (Idan Ben-Barak, illus Christopher Nielsen, A&U Children)

Your Brain Is a Lump of Goo is a colourful and lively exploration of the brain from Idan Ben-Barak, the bestselling and award-winning author of Do Not Lick This Book. Narrated by a brain to a child, this book is playfully educational and consistently enticing to look at. Christopher Nielsen’s illustrations are bright and accessible, at times helping to carry text that can be a bit confusing (eg, ‘I’m the part of you that is you.’), and I wonder whether the text messaging may have been more effective in rhyme. The incredible double-page infographic illustration of what goes on in the brain not only visually demonstrates the brain’s processes, but will also invite some interesting conversations with children about the complicated nature of the brain. Ben-Barak supplements this with two pages of detailed information at the end of the book about how the brain works, for curious readers wanting more. Using a brain/pineapple analogy—including some light side jokes—and using an upbeat tone help make a sophisticated subject more accessible. There’s no doubt that readers will emerge thinking that, while their brain may be goo, it’s also very cool. Your Brain Is a Lump of Goo is perfect for children aged 6–10.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Michelle Atkins is a communications professional and published educational author. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews