The dangerous 'No Brain'

© 2020 by Tim Warnes

“We need to look on children’s books as a gateway to learning, and to happiness as well.”

— Lauren Child, Children's Laureate 2017-2019

 Less than a mile from my home is a beautiful bluebell wood.

I regularly see hares and roe deer in the surrounding fields, and even caught sight of a stoat the other day. It’s breathtaking inside the ancient coppice at this time of year. 

 

A sea of wild bluebells.

Spangly garlic blooms of white and their diminutive counterpart, starry stitchwort.

Heavy drops of rain drip down from the branches overhead.

Robin, wren and blackcap sing, despite the rain.

Further along the track, a blackbird chimes in.

- Journal (April 28, 2020)

 

The bluebells are past their best now, but it’s still such a tranquil place to sit and stop and be still.

To become immersed by nature. 

 Earlier in the week, I went there with the sole intention of filming myself reading my book, DANGEROUS!

(With respect to social distancing, the closest interaction I had was with a squirrel. In fact, I’ve only ever seen one other person walking through there.)

With an audience of none, I told the story of Mole and his discovery of ‘something unusual’ on the path.

 

From DANGEROUS! (Little Tiger Press 2014) © 2014 by Tim Warnes

 

“What is THIS strange thing?” [Mole] wondered.

He poked it gently.

Then he stuck a label on it: lumpy.

And another: bumpy…

 

From DANGEROUS! (Little Tiger Press 2014) © 2014 by Tim Warnes

 

…and then a few more.

But he still didn’t know what it was.

 

The enormous Lumpy-Bumpy Thing wakes up, yawns a terrifying yawn, and scares the heck out of poor Mole! As the story unfolds, the mysterious Lumpy-Bumpy Thing becomes more of an annoyance than a threat.

Mole doesn’t attempt to interact. He tells the Lumpy-Bumpy Thing to go away - with disregard for its feelings. Perhaps this would not have been the case, had Mole spent a bit more time reading stories.

Because countless studies show that reading fiction creates empathy. ‘As we read about the minds, experiences, and feelings of another, we feel with them.’

 

From DANGEROUS! (Little Tiger Press 2014) © 2014 by Tim Warnes

 

By exposing our kids to diverse experiences and characters through stories, we can positively influence the development of one of two basic mindsets - the ‘Yes Brain’ and the ‘No Brain’.

Mole has a ‘No Brain’ mindset.

The Lumpy-Bumpy Thing has a ‘Yes Brain.’

Here’s why:

 The ‘Yes Brain’

The ‘Yes Brain’ allows our children ‘ to be receptive, open, curious, and creative in the face of life’s problems ’.

It has four fundamental characteristics:

 

balance;

resilience;

insight;

and empathy.

 

These are the qualities we all need to be successful in life (and I believe are the qualities to be found in people successfully navigating COVID-19).

 The ‘No Brain’ 

The ‘No Brain’ leaves our children feeling ‘reactive, shut down, rigid, and fragile.’

This is not conducive to being creative.

It forms children who are too scared to engage with the world; closed to new experiences, opportunities - and friends.

 

It’s a no-brainer which we’d prefer for our kids!

The good news is it’s easy for you to promote a ‘Yes Brain’ in your child - by reading with them!

‘Each Yes Brain fundamental emerges directly and spontaneously when you dive together into the pages of a book.’ And the benefits are enormous.

 

Wherever Mole went, the Lumpy-Bumpy Thing went too. 

It wanted to play...

It thought Mole was wonderful!

Mole did not feel the same way at all. And the Lumpy-Bumpy Thing was still gobbling labels!

 

In the end, it all becomes too much for Mole.

He has a total melt-down, causing the Lumpy-Bumpy Thing to cry. Mole finally feels empathy, makes himself vulnerable - and opens himself up to a new friendship.

 

From DANGEROUS! (Little Tiger Press 2014) © 2014 by Tim Warnes

 

(Two other quick examples of Yes and No brains from kids’ books: Mole and Weasel from A Little Bit Worried. Or Pooh Bear and Eeyore.)

Here’s the good news - you don’t need to overthink this.

Because no matter what book you choose, ‘reading together can help you raise kids with resilient minds and connected brains.’

 

Just the act of physical closeness that occurs when we pull our children close and join together to share the moments that unfold as we read together — laughing, looking at the same pictures, talking about what we wonder about, and sharing the joy that comes from wonderful books — helps create a Yes Brain.

- How Reading with Your Children Can Help Them Develop a ‘Yes Brain’ by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

 

Personally, I find this so encouraging. I’m regularly reading with my 7-year-old nephew (who incidentally provides the Lumpy-Bumpy Thing’s burp for my video) during the COVID-19 lockdown. It’s good to know that it all goes towards helping him develop a positive mindset!

 Nominated for the greenaway medal 2015, shortlisted for the Independent Bookshop week Book Award 2016, DANGEROUS! is a great story to share because:

It’s fun to read aloud.

It makes kids laugh.

It’s a little subversive.

It’s tender.

It helps promote discussion about feelings.

 

I’m at a loss to find the right words for how great this book is. In the vein of Mole, I’m going to string together a bunch of labels; great, original, quirky, tasty, heart-warming, splendid.

- Children’s Librarian, Lucy

  DANGEROUS! Available in various formats, including e-book, paperback with stickers & paperback with read-along CD  


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 Disclaimer: these are affiliate links with Waterstones (UK) and Indiebound (USA) supporting local bookshops the best way I know how 

Based on art from DANGEROUS! (Little Tiger Press 2014) © 2018 by Tim Warnes

 This article is based on the work of Dr Daniel Siegel M.D. and Dr Tina Payne Bryson PH.D. Check out their books,   The Yes Brain ,  The Whole-Brain Child , and  No-Drama Discipline  Sources Children’s laureate Lauren Child on her new role, motherhood and creativity by Claire Armistead (The Guardian June 09, 2017)DANGEROUS! by Tim Warnes (Little Tiger Press 2014) How Reading with Your Children Can Help Them Develop a ‘Yes Brain’ by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., & Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. (Brightly)DANGEROUS! book review - MyFriendLucy (Aug 28, 2014)DANGEROUS! book review - ReadingZone