Synopses & Reviews
Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other has called Dr. Deak "an earnest idealist and a rigorous researcher;- a good combination of head and heart." Michael Thompson, author of Raising Cain and Best Friends, Worst Enemies, has said that her writing "offers parents humor, understanding, parenting philosophy, and well founded words of wisdom." Linda Ellerbee, journalist and TV host, commented on Dr. Deak's book: "There's real wisdom between these covers. Do yourself a favor. Buy one copy for yourself [or your mother] and another to save for when your daughter is mother to a daughter."
Review
Story Circle Book Reviews: "The book explains to our children, in easily understood language, pictures and concepts, what the brain is all about, so that an 8-year-old boy could learn much about his skills, his abilities and his potential ... For the early readers, this book will be delightful in the new words and concepts the child can absorb AND understand while reading to themselves." ~ Laura Strathman Hulka, Story Circle Book Reviews" PBS Parents - PBS Parents
Synopsis
This innovative and timely picture book teaches children that they have the ability to stretch and grow their own brains. It also delivers the crucial message that mistakes are an essential part of learning. The book introduces children to the anatomy and various functions of the brain in a fun and engaging way. This title makes both a wonderful addition to a child's collection and to any growth mindset program or curriculum.
Synopsis
Did you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Just like how lifting weights helps your muscles get stronger, trying new things without giving up like finding the courage to put your face in the water the first time you re at a pool strengthens your brain. Next time, your brain will remind you that you overcame that fear, and you will be braver
As a consultant to schools worldwide on issues of brain development and gender equity, author JoAnn Deak, Ph.D., and illustrator Sarah Ackerley, have crafted a fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain that will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their Fantastic, Elastic Brain
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Synopsis
A Mom's Choice Gold Award Winner
What does your brain really do?
Did you know you can stretch and grown your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Just like how lifting weights helps your muscles get stronger, trying new things without giving up strengthens your brain.
This fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their Fantastic, Elastic Brain
Other Awards for Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain:
- The Moonbeam Gold Award for Non-Fiction Picture Book
- The Pewter Gold Ink Award for Distinguished Printing
- The Parent's Choice Silver Award for Interior Design, Children's/Young Adult
- The Nautilus Silver Award for Children's Non-Fiction
- The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Winner for Interior Design, Children's/Young Adult
- Next Generation Indie Award Finalist for Children's/Juvenile Nonfiction
Synopsis
THE book you need to teach growth mindset
Did you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns?
Just like how lifting weights helps your muscles get stronger, trying new things without giving up strengthens your brain.
Written by an educator and psychologist, this fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their fantastic, elastic brain
Praise for Your Fantastic Elastic Brain:
"Dr. Deak has done a masterful job of creating a book for children, parents, and teachers to learn about the human brain together. The information is accessible and understandable, with illustrations that are engaging, fun, and alive This is great reading material for everyone and will elicit many expressions of 'Now I get it ' from the adults " --Fretta Reitzes, Director, Goldman Center, 92nd Street Y
"Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is a wonderful, engaging book for parents and teachers to read with young children. It presents accurate information about the brain and how it relates to our lives...fostering motivation to learn and grow, consistent with our programs and research led by Carol Dweck, PhD." --Eduardo Brice o, Co-Founder & CEO, Mindset Works
"Dr. Deak writes in a clear and interesting way about the complexity of the human brain, enhancing the knowledge of teachers and students. This book is a real contribution to the field of education in the twenty-first century." --Joyce S. Pickering, Hum.D., Executive Director Emerita, Shelton School & Evaluation Center
Awards for Your Fantastic Elastic Brain:
- The Mom's Choice Gold Award
- The Moonbeam Gold Award for Non-Fiction Picture Book
- The Pewter Gold Ink Award for Distinguished Printing
- The Parent's Choice Silver Award for Interior Design, Children's/Young Adult
- The Nautilus Silver Award for Children's Non-Fiction
- The IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Winner for Interior Design, Children's/Young Adult
- Next Generation Indie Award Finalist for Children's/Juvenile Nonfiction
Synopsis
Learn how much your brain can grow The perfect introduction to growth mindset, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It is: A growth mindset book for kidsA teacher must-have for classroomsThe best resource for anyone to teach growth mindsetDid you know you can stretch and grow your own brain? Or that making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns? Awarded as one of the best growth mindset books for kids, Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It teaches all the ways that the brain can develop with exercise, just like the rest of our bodies.
Educator and psychologist Dr. JoAnn Deak offers a fun and engaging introduction to the anatomy and functions of the brain that will empower each young reader to S-T-R-E-T-C-H and grow their fantastic, elastic brain
Looking for award-winning picture books for curious kids? Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is the perfect fit. Dr. Deak shares information in ways that are accessible for parents, teachers, and children alike. Delightful illustrations with accurate details foster motivation to learn and grow in new ways. This book is an excellent companion to Beautiful Oops, The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes, I Can't Do That YET, The Most Magnificent Thing, and Bubble Gum Brain.
Awards for Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: The Mom's Choice Gold AwardThe Moonbeam Gold Award for Non-Fiction Picture BookThe Pewter Gold Ink Award for Distinguished PrintingThe Parent's Choice Silver Award for Interior Design, Children's/Young AdultThe Nautilus Silver Award for Children's Non-FictionThe IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Winner for Interior Design, Children's/Young AdultNext Generation Indie Award Finalist for Children's/Juvenile NonfictionPraise for Your Fantastic Elastic Brain:
"Dr. Deak has done a masterful job of creating a book for children, parents, and teachers to learn about the human brain together. The information is accessible and understandable, with illustrations that are engaging, fun, and alive This is great reading material for everyone and will elicit many expressions of 'Now I get it ' from the adults "--Fretta Reitzes, Director, Goldman Center, 92nd Street Y
"Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is a wonderful, engaging book for parents and teachers to read with young children. It presents accurate information about the brain and how it relates to our lives...fostering motivation to learn and grow, consistent with our programs and research led by Carol Dweck, PhD."--Eduardo Brice o, Co-Founder & CEO, Mindset Works
"Dr. Deak writes in a clear and interesting way about the complexity of the human brain, enhancing the knowledge of teachers and students. This book is a real contribution to the field of education in the twenty-first century."--Joyce S. Pickering, Hum.D., Executive Director Emerita, Shelton School & Evaluation Center
Synopsis
This innovative and timely picture book teaches children that they have the ability to stretch and grow their own brains. It also delivers the crucial message that mistakes are an essential part of learning. The book introduces children to the anatomy and various functions of the brain in a fun and engaging way.
About the Author
Author Bio:
Joann Deak, Ph. D. has spent more than thirty years as an educator and psychologist, helping children develop into confident and competent adults. The latter half of that period has also focused on working with adults, parents and teachers in their roles as guides or 'neurosculptors' of children. On her website is a quote that best describes her perspective on her work: ""Every interaction a child has, during the course of a day, influences the adult that child will become.""
Parents and educators at schools from New York to Hawaii, as well as such organizations as the National Association of School Psychologists, the National Association of Independent Schools, the Association of International Schools, the American Montessori Society and the International Baccalaureate Association, have heralded Dr. Deak's ability to demystify complex issues of child development, learning, identify formation and brain research. Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia and The Shelter of Each Other has called Dr. Deak ""an earnest idealist and a rigorous researcher;- a good combination of head and heart."" Michael Thompson, author of Raising Cain and Best Friends, Worst Enemies, has said that her writing ""offers parents humor, understanding, parenting philosophy, and well founded words of wisdom."" Linda Ellerbee, journalist and TV host, commented on Dr. Deak's book: ""There's real wisdom between these covers. Do yourself a favor. Buy one copy for yourself [or your mother] and another to save for when your daughter is mother to a daughter.""
Dr. Deak began her career as an elementary teacher and head of the science department. She soon learned the complexity of dealing with the many brain and motivational patterns represented by the diverse students in her classes. This led to her work at Kent State University, one of only three universities in the United States to have a specialty in Preventive Psychology at that time. Her doctoral work focused on how to assess those environmental, school and family patterns that lead to the healthy development of children and, conversely, those patterns that cause issues, problems and disabilities.
After several years in private practice, Dr. Deak began consulting with schools in Ohio. In the 1980's she worked with the Laurel School as a consulting psychologist, where she participated in a six-year study with Harvard and a team of researchers lead by Carol Gilligan. Following that study, Dr. Deak joined Laurel School as the Director of the Lower School and Director of the Middle School. She also was the founding Director of Early Childhood. She left Laurel in 1999 to expand her consulting role with parents, schools and other organizations nationwide and internationally.
Dr. Deak has been an advisor to Outward Bound, a past chair of the National Committee for Girls and Women in Independent Schools, on the advisory board for the Center on Research for Girls [Laurel School], for the Seattle Girls' School, Bromley Brook School, the Red Oak School, Power Play and GOAL. She consults with organizations and schools across the United States. Most recently, she has worked internationally with schools, organizations, associations and parent groups in every continent [except Antarctica!]. This includes: Argentina, Australia, Borneo, Canada, Denmark, England, Ethiopia, France, India, Kenya, the Philippines, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. She has been awarded the Woman of Achievement Award by the National Coalition of Girls' Schools, was given the first Female Educator of the Year Award by Orchard House School, and the Outstanding Partner for Girls Award from Clemson University. She has been named the Visiting Scholar in New Zealand, the Visiting Scholar for Montessori Children's House and has been the Resident Scholar for the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute in Colorado Springs for the past five years.
Dr. Deak has written two additional books:
How Girls Thrive, published by Green Blanket Press, 2010.
Girls Will Be Girls: Raising Confident and Courageous Daughters, Hyperion. 2002
Illustrator Bio:
Sarah Ackerley, grew up in Waxahachie, Texas in a family of seven children. Her parents had a reputation for giving books as gifts for all holidays-Valentines Day included-and so Sarah had no choice but to read them. Fortunately, she loved to read and she developed an early fascination with picture books that she never lost.
After earning her BFA from the University of Texas at Austin, Sarah began pursuing a career in childrens book illustration. She developed her style by looking at hundreds of picture books and constantly drawing character sketches. She currently owns more picture books than regular books and will probably keep it that way as her Amazon shopping cart somehow keeps filling up with childrens books that need to be purchased.
Sarah lives in Los Altos, California with her husband and two fickle cats. She divides her time between illustrating books and creating whimsical paintings and portraits for kids of all ages. Visit Sarah on the web at www.sarahackerley.com.