My thoughts: Unless you've studied pre-med or advanced biology you probably are like me and have no clue what an "amygdala" is. So this children's book will educate parents as well as children about this part of the brain.
So, it's a little piece of you that helps you get an alarm telling you when you're in danger; and helps you act appropriately - run away, freeze, act strong, be angry. Also, it helps you to know when there is danger and you need to run or hide.
But sometimes we are alert to things from which we don't need to run, hide, or be angry about; so that needs to be controlled. We are overly anxious. And this cute little children's book is about learning to know when we (or our amygdala) needs fast reactive action and how we can act appropriately. The book teaches guided steps to help us keep control.
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About the Book: Your amygdala works hard to protect you from danger, but what about when it gets things wrong? This amusing character-driven narrative helps children learn to calm their amygdala and control their fight-flight-freeze impulses. Secret word: impulse
The amygdala is the brain's alarm system that alerts for danger, but sometimes it gets things wrong and needs help calming down. In this picture book, young readers receive kid-friendly information about the amygdala from the amygdala, how it can sometimes get confused, and simple ideas to calm and train it.
The amygdala in How to Train Your Amygdala makes complicated concepts accessible to children so they can understand their bodies, practice impulse control, and boost their self-regulation. "You have probably never seen me before, but I am right here in your brain. There is an amygdala in everyone’s brain. It’s true! All humans have one. Many other animals do too."
Throughout the book, the amygdala and the reader practice anxiety-calming and mindfulness strategies such as deep breathing, visualization, and progressive relaxation. With anxiety on the rise among children, learning how to calm the amygdala is a critical life skill.
Additional content at the back of the book includes an amygdala's training playbook for kids and more information for adults to help reinforce the book's message.
About the Author and Illustrator: Anna Housley Juster, Ph.D., LICSW, is a child and adolescent mental health clinician and early childhood education consultant. She began her career as a Head Start teacher and has over two decades of experience supporting children and families across a variety of contexts including schools, museums, libraries, and clinical mental health settings. During several years in children's media, she served as director of content for Sesame Street developing curriculum for the series, publishing, product development, and interactive technology. Anna is a firm believer in the power of play, her favorite number is 3, and she lives with her husband, two daughters, and one very soft dog near Boston, Massachusetts.
Cynthia Cliff is a self-taught artist and author who grew up in a tiny historic village in rural Virginia surrounded by her large superstitious family, and farms and woodlands where she spent every waking hour. This upbringing provided her with a deep love and appreciation for history, family, nature, and folklore—themes that find their way into much of her whimsical, folk-art inspired, and optimistic artwork. She resides in northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., with her partner and four-legged family.
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DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given. Winner's copy is provided and mailed directly to winner by publicist on behalf of author. Chat With Vera is not responsible for lost or misdirected prizes.
