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Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain
A hilarious cautionary tale full of mayhem—and wordplay.
Bobby Bramble has a thirst for adventure, a taste for danger, and energy to spare. But no one in his family seems to appreciate these traits. Instead, they worry that he'll fall and crack his skull open—and one day that's exactly what happens. To make matters worse, Bobby's brain decides to take off, as if it had a mind of its own. What follows is the madcap pursuit—and recapture—of the elusive gray matter and the successful reunion of brain and brawn. A hilarious cautionary tale full of mayhem—and wordplay.
Bobby Bramble has a thirst for adventure, a taste for danger, and energy to spare. But no one in his family seems to appreciate these traits. Instead, they worry that he'll fall and crack his skull open—and one day that's exactly what happens. To make matters worse, Bobby's brain decides to take off, as if it had a mind of its own. What follows is the madcap pursuit—and recapture—of the elusive gray matter and the successful reunion of brain and brawn. A hilarious cautionary tale full of mayhem—and wordplay.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 18, 2009
About the author
Dave Keane
24 books12 followers Exciting news! After publishing 20+ picture books and chapter books, I’m launching a brand-new upper-middle-grade sci-fi series!
Want to read the first three chapters for free? Sign up for my newsletter here (link) and I’ll send them right over, along with behind-the-scenes peeks, special offers, and launch updates.
Hi, I’m Dave Keane, children’s author and certified UFO nerd. After years of reading bedtime stories to my own three kids, I began writing the kinds of books I loved sharing with them. Today I’m thrilled to be diving into upper middle-grade science fiction with The Experiencers series. Book 1 lands in September 2026, and I can’t wait for readers ages 10–14—plus fans of clean sci-fi with crossover appeal—to go on this time-twisting journey.
I’m the author of over 20 books for children and a certified UFO nerd. My titles include the Joe Sherlock: Kid Detective series, Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain, and The Treasure Box.
Let’s Connect
Newsletter: Join the Launch Crew
Website: www.davekeane.net
Facebook: facebook.com/mrdavekeane
Dave and his wife live in Northern California and have three grown-up children, a tortoise named Shelly, and a dog named Fiona—all of whom show no interest whatsoever in UFOs (except maybe the dog).
Want to read the first three chapters for free? Sign up for my newsletter here (link) and I’ll send them right over, along with behind-the-scenes peeks, special offers, and launch updates.
Hi, I’m Dave Keane, children’s author and certified UFO nerd. After years of reading bedtime stories to my own three kids, I began writing the kinds of books I loved sharing with them. Today I’m thrilled to be diving into upper middle-grade science fiction with The Experiencers series. Book 1 lands in September 2026, and I can’t wait for readers ages 10–14—plus fans of clean sci-fi with crossover appeal—to go on this time-twisting journey.
I’m the author of over 20 books for children and a certified UFO nerd. My titles include the Joe Sherlock: Kid Detective series, Bobby Bramble Loses His Brain, and The Treasure Box.
Let’s Connect
Newsletter: Join the Launch Crew
Website: www.davekeane.net
Facebook: facebook.com/mrdavekeane
Dave and his wife live in Northern California and have three grown-up children, a tortoise named Shelly, and a dog named Fiona—all of whom show no interest whatsoever in UFOs (except maybe the dog).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 16, 2009
Bobby Bramble is a little boy who can't sit still - he has "ants in his pants, a thirst for adventure, and energy to spare." Do you know any kids like that? I certainly do. This is a silly, zany romp that will make you and your favorite wiggle-worm giggle together.
“Bobby Bramble liked to climb, somersault, jump, bounce, slide, swing, sprint, flip, hang upside down, and generally give gravity a run for its money.” Bobby's parents worry that he will crack his head open and, of course, one day he does just that. Much to everyone's surprise, Bobby's brain makes a bid for freedom and runs off like it has "a mind of its own." What follows is the madcap pursuit and recapture of Bobby's brain.
David Clark's cartoon illustrations take the zany wordplay up and over the top, producing giggles in little kids as they spy Bobby's brain peaking out from under the manhole cover or zooming in front of the fire truck. Adults and older children will enjoy Dave Keane's clever word play: Bobby's family was worried that Bobby "would spend the rest of his days doing handstands and back flips without a thought in his head." The climax is a "classic battle of brain versus brawn" as Bobby rides his brain "like a seasoned rodeo cowboy."
Share this with your favorite kid who likes to climb the highest fence or tree around. It will make you both laugh and remind you how important it is to take care of your noggin! Even kids who have trouble sitting still for story time will enjoy the fast pace and comic illustrations in this picture book.
“Bobby Bramble liked to climb, somersault, jump, bounce, slide, swing, sprint, flip, hang upside down, and generally give gravity a run for its money.” Bobby's parents worry that he will crack his head open and, of course, one day he does just that. Much to everyone's surprise, Bobby's brain makes a bid for freedom and runs off like it has "a mind of its own." What follows is the madcap pursuit and recapture of Bobby's brain.
David Clark's cartoon illustrations take the zany wordplay up and over the top, producing giggles in little kids as they spy Bobby's brain peaking out from under the manhole cover or zooming in front of the fire truck. Adults and older children will enjoy Dave Keane's clever word play: Bobby's family was worried that Bobby "would spend the rest of his days doing handstands and back flips without a thought in his head." The climax is a "classic battle of brain versus brawn" as Bobby rides his brain "like a seasoned rodeo cowboy."
Share this with your favorite kid who likes to climb the highest fence or tree around. It will make you both laugh and remind you how important it is to take care of your noggin! Even kids who have trouble sitting still for story time will enjoy the fast pace and comic illustrations in this picture book.
September 15, 2011
Genre: Children's Picture Book (Fiction)
Summary: Since Bobby Bramble loves to climb, leap, and tumble, his family is always telling him to be careful so that he doesn't crack his head open. But, alas, he doesn't listen to them and one day, his head cracks open and his brain runs away. Everyone in the town is on the lookout for the quick and pesky brain, but no one can actually catch it. Meanwhile, Bobby's body is cavorting around town without thinking about what he is doing. Will his brain and body ever become reunited? Read the book to find out!
Why I Liked/Disliked the Book: It is so much fun! The illustrations are hilarious; Bobby looks as flexible as Gumby, and the other characters' facial expressions are superb. The text is amazing; It is fast-moving, descriptive, and funnier than funny. This book is definitely on my list of ten best children's books!
What This Book Made Me Think About: How our bodies and minds make such a perfect team (and one cannot survive without the other). How sometimes we must learn our lessons through experience. How dialogue is such an important tool for a writer to show someone's character.
I wish... that all children's books were this good!
Summary: Since Bobby Bramble loves to climb, leap, and tumble, his family is always telling him to be careful so that he doesn't crack his head open. But, alas, he doesn't listen to them and one day, his head cracks open and his brain runs away. Everyone in the town is on the lookout for the quick and pesky brain, but no one can actually catch it. Meanwhile, Bobby's body is cavorting around town without thinking about what he is doing. Will his brain and body ever become reunited? Read the book to find out!
Why I Liked/Disliked the Book: It is so much fun! The illustrations are hilarious; Bobby looks as flexible as Gumby, and the other characters' facial expressions are superb. The text is amazing; It is fast-moving, descriptive, and funnier than funny. This book is definitely on my list of ten best children's books!
What This Book Made Me Think About: How our bodies and minds make such a perfect team (and one cannot survive without the other). How sometimes we must learn our lessons through experience. How dialogue is such an important tool for a writer to show someone's character.
I wish... that all children's books were this good!
September 13, 2010
We checked this out at the library and Daniel loved this book. The illustrations are quite hilarious as well as the text. The brain runs away after Bobby cracks his head open and he chases it down. Daniel loves the line in the book "mom, can I have pizza for dinner." I loved the line where the grandpa sets a trap for the brain using flash cards as bait. It is a cute kids book kind of in a weird way.
February 12, 2011
The young crowd is sure to like phrasing like:
"It's bad enough having a little brother, " grumbled Bobby's older sister, Becky. "But a brainless little brother would be more than I could handle."
and
"You're really going to need your brain, Bobby," warned his little sister, Bonnie, "because you're not very pretty."
Silly fun and wonderfully exagerated pictures to go along with the text. Including one especially funny picture of Bobby losing his brain.
"It's bad enough having a little brother, " grumbled Bobby's older sister, Becky. "But a brainless little brother would be more than I could handle."
and
"You're really going to need your brain, Bobby," warned his little sister, Bonnie, "because you're not very pretty."
Silly fun and wonderfully exagerated pictures to go along with the text. Including one especially funny picture of Bobby losing his brain.
May 14, 2009
Bobby Bamble loves adventure and he loves to jump, somersault, slide etc. One day his adventurous spirit causes him to hit his head, allowing his brain to escape. Without his brain, Bobby spouts nonsense. Everyone in town tries to catch his brain but no one is fast enough. Will Bobby Bramble ever be able to catch his brain? Cute funny story perfect for 1st/2nd graders.
January 28, 2011
My kindergartners loved this book. We used in connection with a unit on the senses and how the brain helps us understand the senses. So we talked about why he needed to get his brain back and how we can protect our brain. They loved the silliness and the illustrations and it was a good discussion starter.
October 4, 2018
Who couldn't love a story this silly? My 8 year old giggled at it, even though they are a very cautious child themselves. There might be a little bit of a cautionary tale here, but mostly it's about what would happen if the often repeated "you'll fall and crack your skull open" warning to reckless kids actually happened.
May 22, 2009
I don't think I would use this for preschool storytime... it's a little long but might be a good one to use with early elementary aged (especially boys). It's pretty funny and I think older kids would get a kick out of the brain running away.
August 15, 2011
Silly Fun! Love picture books that will appeal to a wide range of ages. This is one of those silly quirky books that elementary librarians love because they can share with K - 6. Probably very relateable as well since all kids are warned to be careful or they will hurt their heads, brains, etc.
May 6, 2009
This is a funny book about a boys who really loses his brain and the efforts made to catch it! Funny book in rhyme. This would really be funny for a group like the book buddies. Ages 3+
June 25, 2009
A little bit grose.
July 6, 2009
Fun puns.
August 5, 2009
This is quite a humorous story. The poor boy loses his brain and must chase it down to get it back in his head. Many scenes are laugh-out-loud hilarious!
December 10, 2009
"brains, good review, humor"
August 22, 2010
I do think there's a preschool population that will enjoy this book. And a population that will be totally saying "What in the world?!?!?"
August 4, 2012
I want to pair this with A Pig Parade is a Terrible Idea and Pssst! or Click, Clack, Moo Cows that Type for a silly, goofy, funny, brainless storytime for kindergarteners.
April 23, 2013
a great story funny one to
December 11, 2013
Sophomore year storytelling
February 10, 2014
Madcap chase. Curious if a head splitting open would be disturbing to anyone.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews