Blog Tour: All Brains are Wonderful

Today it’s my stop on the Blog Tour for ‘All Brains are Wonderful’, a very accessible and enjoyable book which shows just how amazing you- and your brain- are!

Written by Scott Evans, with expert advice from Dr Rachel S H Williams, and bursting with lively illustrations by The Boy Fitz Hammond, ‘All Brains are Wonderful’ is a wonderful celebration of the brain and how it makes you unique. The book is presented in three sections: Science, Society and Taking Action.

Having started with a spread called ‘Brainy Beings’ which compares the human brain to others in the animal kingdom, the ‘Science’ section quickly moves to how the brain is formed. Full of fascinating facts supported by labelled diagrams and illustrations, this offers a detailed, carefully structured explanation. The ‘correct’ terminology is used, with precise explanations and use of a glossary to support comprehension. Speaking as a teacher for a moment, there are also pages here which make excellent model explanation texts to use with a class!

The science section continues with how important the brain is in shaping how we think and act before looking at some of the challenges which can affect the brain such as dementia and spina bifida. These conditions are sensitively explained with a positive message about understanding and support.

This sense of positivity and empathy is continued in the second section which looks at neurodiversity. Looking at attitudes in the past, the present and considering the future, there is a real real emphasis on the importance of inclusivity and understanding whilst acknowledging the challenges people have- and still do- face. Ways of offering support, such as the use of language, are also included, challenging readers to really think about their actions.

There is so much packed into this book; however, the authors have managed to present a very complex subject in a very accessible and entertaining manner, making it perfect for primary children and an excellent resource for classrooms and libraries. Appealing illustrations, concise chunks of text and clear explanations all combine to make this a most enjoyable and informative read.

All Brains are Wonderful

Scott Evans and Dr Rachel S.H. Williams, illustrated by The Boy Fitz Hammond

bsmall publishing ISBN: 978-1916851245

Many thanks to Naomi from bsmall for inviting me to take part in this blog tour. Make sure you look at all the other brilliant reviews about ‘All Brains are Wonderful!’

Blog Tour: Reading for Pleasure

Reading- for pleasure, for learning, for escape, to share, for a million reasons- has always been a massive part of my life. The family joke is that I was born reading and am never without a book (or several!) stashed close at hand, ready for any odd moments when I can read. As a teacher, I have always delighted in sharing this with children and colleagues and over my career have seen fluctuating and fickle attitudes to daily story times, school libraries, class book corners, hearing children read and the teaching of reading. It has always been obvious to me that teachers (or any adult!) who are enthusiastic about reading (or anything!), show that it is something which they value and engage in themselves and can discuss and enthuse about their reading are far more likely to spark interest and enjoyment than those who don’t, but fortunately, research has now been done which validates this for those who need to be convinced! For those in need of guidance for how to start, this is the book for you!

The pure joy of Scott’s book is that he has gathered together many tried and tested ideas which can easily be slotted into daily practice and culture in classrooms, whole schools and the wider community to create a constant, non-gimmicky buzz about books and reading. As Scott says, ‘…reading for pleasure cannot be left to happen by chance’ and indulging in token gestures, such as only participating in World Book Day once a year, is not enough to form life-long reading habits and the joy this brings! Many of the activities offered here are variations on a theme, allowing schools to ring the changes by re-introducing activities with a slightly different slant to stop them becoming stale or taken for granted.

The book is divided into eleven sections, each with a different focus, allowing teachers to hone in on a specific area as a starting point or to guide them through the book as a whole. Useful links are made between sections and ideas with additional suggestions (‘Taking It Further’/’Bonus Ideas’) given. Many of the ideas are sure to spark additional discussion and give birth to yet more strategies, making the book a working tool which (although I don’t normally advocate writing in books!) can be annotated and a shared staff room/ year group copy developed as suggestions arise. By ‘Topic Texts’, for example, a note could be added about displaying and sharing poems related to a theme, referring to ‘The Works 2: Poems on Every Subject and for Every Occasion’ which might be useful here for those not as confident in this area.

Some of the best ideas here - the ones which have the greatest impact - are the simplest to put in place, allowing schools/ teachers to develop a firm basis before choosing some of the more ambitious ones. I would like to highlight the Federation of Children’s Book Groups and their annual national initiatives here- the Children’s Book Awards, National Share a Story Month and National Non-Fiction November (mentioned in Idea 72: Face the Facts)- which are very easy to engage with and create a real buzz around books and reading. Using the local library and encouraging children to take part in the Summer Reading Challenge (and the Winter Mini Challenge) and holding book fairs are other ideas which are relatively easy to implement, offering sound starting blocks to build upon.

One useful addition to the book would be some pictures to illustrate the ideas in action so I have added a few here. The book is pitched as ‘100 Ideas for Primary Teachers’, but the reach of the content contained goes beyond that with many that can be adapted - or used as is- for both older and younger children, for colleagues in libraries and anyone with children at home. It really is a treasure trove of good sense and inspiration!

‘Reading for Pleasure’ is a great read, packed with useful, practical ideas, and (in these days of tight budgets!) great value for money! Thanks to Scott for asking me to be part of this Blog Tour and to Bloomsbury for sending me a copy. I shall be enthusiastically sharing this with colleagues!

100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Reading for Pleasure

Scott Evans

Bloomsbury ISBN: 978-1801991902