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Extraordinary Animals
Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals with Magnificent Minds
This third book in the Extraordinary Animals series delves into the mind-bending world of amazing animal brains.
Real-life animal brainiacs and the scientists who study them come to life in this detailed look at how animal—and human—brains work and the incredible things they can do. Meet goldfish who drive their own special car in search of treats; brilliant octopus problem-solvers who can probe, taste, and even make decisions with their arms; and squirrels who use mnemonic devices to remember where they’ve hidden their nuts! Readers will explore brains large and small, smooth and wrinkly, through fascinating sidebars, plenty of real science vocabulary, and full-color illustrations and photos. They can even put their own brains to the test through DIY neuroscience activities, from honing memory skills to getting focused through meditation. This engaging book delivers lots of fascinating science and the opportunity to learn more through a “further exploration” section, source notes, and a bibliography.
Real-life animal brainiacs and the scientists who study them come to life in this detailed look at how animal—and human—brains work and the incredible things they can do. Meet goldfish who drive their own special car in search of treats; brilliant octopus problem-solvers who can probe, taste, and even make decisions with their arms; and squirrels who use mnemonic devices to remember where they’ve hidden their nuts! Readers will explore brains large and small, smooth and wrinkly, through fascinating sidebars, plenty of real science vocabulary, and full-color illustrations and photos. They can even put their own brains to the test through DIY neuroscience activities, from honing memory skills to getting focused through meditation. This engaging book delivers lots of fascinating science and the opportunity to learn more through a “further exploration” section, source notes, and a bibliography.
- GenresNonfiction
160 pages, Hardcover
Published January 14, 2025
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Christina Couch
6 books2 followersI am a freelance science and tech journalist and the assistant director of professional development for the MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing.
I also graduated from MIT’s science writing program, where I did my thesis on the science of white supremacy. My bylines can be found in Discover Magazine, Fast Company, NBC News, The New York Times, NOVA Next, Mental Floss, MIT Technology Review, Science Friday, The Verge, Wired Magazine, and Wired UK.
I also graduated from MIT’s science writing program, where I did my thesis on the science of white supremacy. My bylines can be found in Discover Magazine, Fast Company, NBC News, The New York Times, NOVA Next, Mental Floss, MIT Technology Review, Science Friday, The Verge, Wired Magazine, and Wired UK.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 16, 2025
Brains and cognition of animals and humans are explored in depth in this fascinating nonfiction book that is a must-purchase for all collections serving kids grades 4 - 8. Christina Couch offers up 6 different animals, from octopuses to squirrels, in an effort to better understand animal (and human) cognition and the related ongoing scientific research. Readers will learn different parts of the brain, different types of sleep (the idea of unhemispheric slow-wave sleep will blow their minds!), how brains age and the relationship between age and genetics, as well as how animals communicate and even use dialects. One of my favorite parts of the book was the section on Squirrel School where researchers learn about squirrel memory; I learned that squirrels are part of a group called scatter-hoarders and hide 3000 - 4000 nuts and seeds in just 6 weeks using mnemonic devices.
This series from MIT Kids Press is nonfiction informational text at its best. Nonfiction elements abound – colorful photographs with captions, pull out quotes, bolded vocab words with pullout definition right on page (no need to look in a glossary in the back), relevant lab activities at the end of every chapter (reflex test, memory challenge, dream journaling, etc) and Did You Know sections with interesting information like brain sizes of various animals and the length of DNA. The layout is colorful, attractive, and perfectly complements the text and information. Most images are photographs, but occasional cartoon images of animals and kids are well-placed and fun. Kids show a diverse range of skin colors and the scientists profiled are diverse as well. My favorite researcher in the book is Gretchen Johnson, a Black genetic researcher who studies ancient DNA! Whether reading it cover to cover or perusing certain sections for a research project, any student who cracks open this book is sure to be delighted and amazed by what they learn.
Includes a big index, resources, notes, a bibliography, as well as a list of experts who assisted with the book, which gives the book even more credibility. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
This series from MIT Kids Press is nonfiction informational text at its best. Nonfiction elements abound – colorful photographs with captions, pull out quotes, bolded vocab words with pullout definition right on page (no need to look in a glossary in the back), relevant lab activities at the end of every chapter (reflex test, memory challenge, dream journaling, etc) and Did You Know sections with interesting information like brain sizes of various animals and the length of DNA. The layout is colorful, attractive, and perfectly complements the text and information. Most images are photographs, but occasional cartoon images of animals and kids are well-placed and fun. Kids show a diverse range of skin colors and the scientists profiled are diverse as well. My favorite researcher in the book is Gretchen Johnson, a Black genetic researcher who studies ancient DNA! Whether reading it cover to cover or perusing certain sections for a research project, any student who cracks open this book is sure to be delighted and amazed by what they learn.
Includes a big index, resources, notes, a bibliography, as well as a list of experts who assisted with the book, which gives the book even more credibility. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
March 28, 2025
What worked:
The common thread connecting the book is studies of how animals think and then comparing them to human brains. It’s pretty comprehensive as it touches on all areas of the brain. The book opens with a study of how the brain interprets messages from the sensory organs, including our reflexes. A quick activity ends the chapter with a test of how quickly people can respond. Jester is a blue-and-green parrot that was mistreated, and scientists are studying how it recovers from trauma and fear. Did you know llamas and pigs can help humans deal with stress? Other chapters address memory, communication, aging, and even sleeping! Connections are made to a goldfish driving a car, sperm whales speaking in different dialects, and birds napping while they fly.
The author relates the animals to specific people, which humanizes the factual information. A war veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is unable to talk about his terrifying experiences with doctors, but he begins to open up while working with Jester. An octopus named Sawyer has fun with his handler and enjoys playing with the toys Zoe brings him. Color photographs and illustrations fill the pages to add visual interest to the topics. In addition to the activities at the end of the chapters, the book includes short sections on related topics. For example, robo-rodents can hop after scientists studied squirrels, and there are jellyfish smaller than pencil erasers that are virtually immortal.
What didn’t work as well:
How the brain works is an abstract concept for many young readers, and the book doesn’t shy away from the relevant vocabulary. Definitions are included throughout the chapters so the meanings stand out and are easy to recall. Young people can still enjoy the animal studies and other pages even if understanding the exact workings of the brain is a challenge.
The final verdict:
The author does a fascinating job of combining scientific information, interesting animals, and related anecdotes, resulting in a remarkable book about the brain. I recommend you give it a shot!
The common thread connecting the book is studies of how animals think and then comparing them to human brains. It’s pretty comprehensive as it touches on all areas of the brain. The book opens with a study of how the brain interprets messages from the sensory organs, including our reflexes. A quick activity ends the chapter with a test of how quickly people can respond. Jester is a blue-and-green parrot that was mistreated, and scientists are studying how it recovers from trauma and fear. Did you know llamas and pigs can help humans deal with stress? Other chapters address memory, communication, aging, and even sleeping! Connections are made to a goldfish driving a car, sperm whales speaking in different dialects, and birds napping while they fly.
The author relates the animals to specific people, which humanizes the factual information. A war veteran with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is unable to talk about his terrifying experiences with doctors, but he begins to open up while working with Jester. An octopus named Sawyer has fun with his handler and enjoys playing with the toys Zoe brings him. Color photographs and illustrations fill the pages to add visual interest to the topics. In addition to the activities at the end of the chapters, the book includes short sections on related topics. For example, robo-rodents can hop after scientists studied squirrels, and there are jellyfish smaller than pencil erasers that are virtually immortal.
What didn’t work as well:
How the brain works is an abstract concept for many young readers, and the book doesn’t shy away from the relevant vocabulary. Definitions are included throughout the chapters so the meanings stand out and are easy to recall. Young people can still enjoy the animal studies and other pages even if understanding the exact workings of the brain is a challenge.
The final verdict:
The author does a fascinating job of combining scientific information, interesting animals, and related anecdotes, resulting in a remarkable book about the brain. I recommend you give it a shot!
March 20, 2025
Can animals really sleep with one eye open? Can you "think" with your stomach? And how clever are octopuses, really? If you're interested in these and other questions, you'll find answers in this book. Aimed at ages 9 and up, but teens and adults can learn from it, too. I personally found the placement of the sidebars distracting, which is why it's not quite five stars from me. But it's well-researched with lots of great information, and I loved the scientific experiments that end each chapter. Recommended for kids who love science, and all libraries serving middle-graders.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews