The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal

July 15, 2019
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)

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November 1, 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

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