The Brain: Our Nervous System

The Brain:

 Our Nervous System

Author: Seymour Simon

Publishing: HarperCollins Publishers, 1997

“An absorbing introduction to this amazing control system that can do more jobs than the most powerful computer ever made.” 

 The Horn Book

“Simon may have done more than any other living author to help us understand and appreciate the beauty of our planet and our universe.” 

 Kirkus Reviews

         “Your brain is only a small part of your whole body...Your brain is really what makes you, you.” Thus, Seymour Simon, in THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM, provides concise scientific detail about parts of the brain and nervous system including stunning magnified computer images of the brain and spine, while providing curiosity and fascination as a framework by setting up the essential nature of the topic: Your brain enables you to "...read, run, laugh, breathe, say hello to a friend, or turn to the next page in this book. Try it!"

        Nominated for the Beehive Children's Informational Book Award in 2000, this factual book provides educational elements such as a logical progression from the tiny elements of the brain such as neurons, nerves, dendrites, axons, synapses, to the major elements such a the skull, cranium, cerebellum, brain stem, and spine, and finally to matching the parts of the brain to their bodily function. However, the book does not provide a table of contents, index, or glossary - and instead functions more as a  photo essay meets picture book. The text, though, does not shy away from scientific terminology and explanation, while maintaining a level of readability appropriate for elementary school students. Readers' understanding of concepts is further developed by the use of everyday analogies -- Simon compares the brain to a grapefruit, nerves as hairs, the spine as a rope, short-term memory to breakfast, and long-term to your first day of school. Visual, everyday comparisons such as these enhance understanding for both children and adults. Easy to read diagrams are also included.

           Science as a source of entertainment and amazement permeates this work. When author Seymour Simon was a child, he was fascinated by science fiction writers such as Arthur C. Clarke and Edgar Rice Burroughs, reading them in science fiction comics such as AMAZING STORIES and STARTLING STORIES. THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM follows this influence, as Simon inspires wonder through guiding readers to marvel at their own brain behind their own eyes. Simon incites amazement particularly through his choices of images. The selection of images and photography is apparently chosen for its 'wow factor' - most are full page, glossy, colorful computer generated scans and micorgraphs which dramatize the science fiction ameba-like appearance of nerves and dendrites and such. The background color of the text and images is a dark glossy blackness - emphasizing the startling photography, and that science can be as spectacular and out-of-this-world as any science fiction comic. 

             A multitude of activities can be done along side this book to enhance the enjoyment and understanding of the brain. A picture of a brain can be colored and labeled for its parts and functions. If children cut out the picture and tape it to a makeshift "hat," they will get a good idea of what parts of their own brain provide for the various functions. Then, games can be played to experiment with the various senses that the brain controls. For example, a game to test hearing can be done if all but one student closes their eyes. The one student will then make a noise - like tapping, jiggling keys, crumpling - then students must guess what the noise is. You can make teams and keep score! The sense of touch can be similarly explored when students close their eyes, and use only sense of touch to guess what object is or to move across the room. To explore vision, optical illusions could be presented, explored, and explained. Smells can be presented and guessed at. Riddles can be asked. Thus, children in their "brain hats" can explore their own brain functions inside in a fun, interactive way. Whatever activities are done using this striking information book, the children's craniums are sure to be sparked up!

References:

Simon, Seymour. "Simon Seymour Bio." Accessed October 28, 2013. http://www.seymoursimon.com/.

Seymour, Simon. 1997. THE BRAIN: OUR NERVOUS SYSTEM. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc. ISBN 059063490.