How to Train Your Pet Brain

by Nelly Buchet, Amy Jindra (Illustrations)

Your brain is like a pet in need of training. By you.

How does it feel to smile, or to stick out your bottom lip? With heart and humor, How to Train Your Pet Brain invites kids to explore how their bodies and minds work together to process emotions. Told from the perspective of a child, this unexpectedly funny take on the tricky topic of mental health follows two characters learning to train their pet brains. Lighthearted illustrations paired with grounded language help kids understand why their brain does what it does, teaches that big feelings are okay, and guides kids through a simple practice to help them feel calm.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 22, 2022

About the author

Lover of dogs and dance. Author of 2021 Irma Black Award Winner and ALA Notable Children's Book CAT DOG DOG: The Story of a Blended Family (Random House Studio, with art by Andrea Zuill, 2020), the CAN'T DO board book series (Studio Press/ Bonnier UK, with art by Pau Morgan, 2021), HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PET BRAIN (Beaming Books, with art by Amy Jindra, 2022), ABUELITO (with David Corredor Benavides, Kind World Publishing, with art by Ana Sanfelippo, 2023) and A FRIEND LIKE NO OTTER (Union Square Kids, with art by Andrea Zuill, 2023).

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Engaging! Clever! Love this fresh approach on comparing a human brain to that of a pet. The author really helps children understand their myriad of emotions and that it's okay to feel what they feel. The text is child-like and accessible and just plain fun to read! The illustrations are bright and age appropriate and there's space on the page for the child to imagine and think.

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has been practicing yoga and mindfulness for over 20 years, I am a big believer in the mind body connection. I am also a licensed clinical social worker who helps clients become aware of how their thoughts affect their mood and how their feelings show up in their bodies. Nelly Buchet's HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PET BRAIN is written in clear, direct text. Amy Jindra's vibrant illustrations help demonstrate visually the attentive work our brain requires to be nourished, to learn new things, and to create symbiotic relationships. Buchet and Jindra have done a great job teaching and entertaining children around a very complex subject--cognitive behavior. I especially like the inclusion of proven practices for calming the brain (such as breathing techniques) and centering the body (such as yoga). I highly recommend this book especially during these heightened stressful times.

[Tiffany Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When first saw the cover I thought, now I want. Pet brain. I instantly fell in love with the character and her adorable pet brain. Reading the book, I found myself smiling and chuckling as came across so many wonderful kid-centered, endearing mindful moments. The instance in the book that stood out for me was “ Its GOOD to feel a lot. It means you care!” This is an imperative message of empathy that children and adults need to be reminded of. How To Train your Pet Brain is sure to be on every parent ,teacher, and librarian’s bookshelf when diving into social-emotional learning. This book is informative, fun and emotionally intelligent treat that will have little Pet Brains begging for more!

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an excellent idea, and I wanted to love it. Teaching kids how to manage their feelings and train their brain is such a needed resource.

But I didn't feel this book did that. It came just short of giving any real practical advice on what to do when your feelings overwhelm you. It says to "let them out with a wiggle, a howl, or a giggle, and they will pass." Well, sometimes that's not enough. There isn't anything about talking to someone about your feelings. Or that sometimes you need to cry. Or how to manage anger. Or how to think about your feelings and help yourself.

Also, the brain illustrations were kind of creepy. I'm not sure all kids would be okay with them.
Just a little more thought and writing would have made this really good.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ingenious concept that likens the brain to a pet on a leash. The humor (much in the illustrations) will keep kids engaged as they learn how their emotions and thoughts can be affected by many different things, including facial expressions, and what they can do to train their brain. Some of the situations are LOL funny, including the one where the pet is out of control. My ADHD brain really appreciates being seen. A funny and informative story that fits in with the SEL crowd, but will really appeal to any kid who loves reading a funny book.

I reviewed a PDF provided by the author/publisher.

[Ann Jacobus · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Train Your Pet Brain is an accessible, matter-of-fact, and light-hearted explanation for young readers about the mind-body connection and how we can all train our brains. “You can feel calm when you breathe slowly and deeply…Like now.” Illustrations are bright and funny-our brains on a leash! “Having an upset brain is no fun.” Like a pet, it “can keep you up at night.” Ha! For budding neurologists and kids wondering about how and why they feel the way they do--and what to do about it, from the author of Cat Dog Dog. Clever, reassuring, educational, and fun!

[Amy Huntington]

I love this story that deals with a kiddo’s “big feelings” - and how they can affect his or her body.

The ongoing pandemic has put a lot of young children on the edge. I think a story like this can begin to help them acknowledge those emotions and find ways to gain some control over the way they react. Nelly Buchet has approached this subject with lightness and humor. Amy Jindra’s illustrations illustrations are a lovely compliment to the story.

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this creative, humorous approach to teaching kids mindfulness. Such a great way of helping them understand their brains, and the relationship between their brains and their bodies! The book is interactive at times, asking kids to try smiling or taking deep breaths. At other times, the book focuses on how your brain is like a pet that needs to be trained. The illustrations are upbeat and add to the fun.

[Nicholas Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I read it to my students and it led to us having a discussion about breathing and trying to self regulate. Perfect for mindfulness in the classroom and in the real world. The pictures are bright and colorful, and the kids were engaged the entire time. We even painted pet rocks and made them pet brains!

[Ana Siqueira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The good thing about this story is showing kids we do have moments where we don't understand what is going on. Sometimes we get angry, sometimes we get sad. And it's okay. But there are ways to work on our emotions. Maybe a wiggle, maybe a jiggle, maybe by breathing in and out. It's important for kids to learn it's okay to have emotions and how to work on dealing with them. The illustrations are super cute and fun.

[Anne Wynter · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Train Your Pet Brain is a creative and child-friendly way to talk about the brain-body connection. It starts by explaining how the brain and body communicate. Then it shares how we can help our bodies and our brains feel better through things like dance, laugher and slow breathing. This is a unique and fun book that kids and adults will find useful.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The older I get, the more I think of myself (or any of us, really) as simply brains. This adorable picture book is a great addition to the growing number of social-emotional books available. I love the way it helps readers access taking care of their brains - in a silly, approachable manner. This is a must-read for anyone with brain, young or old!

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the brilliant concept to think about your brain as a beloved pet and the adorable depictions showing tricky interactions and emotionally charged moments. The matter-of-fact but fun and approachable language makes for an entertaining read with practical advice. So great to have a picture book that fosters SEL through humor, mind and body awareness, and the importance of emotional health!

[Viviane Elbee]

Comparing your brain to a pet is a very clever idea! I love the premise.
The book mainly seems to focus on emotions, and how your body and brain work together to influence how you feel.
There isn't any focus on teaching your brain to read or write or do math or art or any other "school subject" type work.
Would be a good book for kids who like social emotional learning books!

[Yobdyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, SO important & surprisingly profound! This book does an excellent job of making emotional awareness learning fun and relatable to children...and adults, honestly. It avoids clichés and navigates a complex subject with humor and grace. A+

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept but the execution wasn't great. It's vague in a way that I think makes it potentially confusing for children.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful with lots of great information.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture book that works as self-help for training yourself to stay calm and be responsive rather than reactive. Cute pictures and not to didactic -- it's encouraging rather than lecturing.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, relatable, and perfect for teaching social emotional learning in the classroom or at home. Adorable illustrations!

[Kimberly Wright Oelkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting way for kids to learn about the brain. I am definitely adding this one to my school library.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book about your brain for younger kiddos

[Kari Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cute how-to story that lends itself well to social emotional discussions with kids. Amy Jindra’s illustrations are adorable and meld seamlessly with Nelly Buchet’s engaging words. A good book to share when a child might need to take a few deep breaths to shift to something new.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a nomination in the nonfiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).