Innovative Octopuses, Half-Brained Birds, and More Animals with Magnificent Minds

Starred review from November 1, 2024
Insights into how our brains resemble, and are different from, those of other animals. With this lively overview of the animal kingdom's "most extraordinary organ," Couch delivers lucid descriptions of how humans and other creatures perceive the world, interact with their bodies, sleep, learn, remember, and communicate. Punctuating her narrative with comments from a large and racially diverse group of brain scientists and other workers, she visits research sites ranging from an outdoor squirrel lab to a trauma center where people with PTSD form mutually beneficial relationships with abused birds. She explores natural mysteries, such as an apparently immortal jellyfish and another species that sleeps even though it has no brain. The author expands her focus with profiles of a DNA researcher studying the remains of victims of the slave trade on St. Helena and an entomologist whose passion for roller derby has helped her become a better scientist, among others. As if all this isn't stimulating enough, Couch also provides instructions for keeping a dream journal, testing short-term memory, and tackling other brain-related projects for hands-on readers before closing with a substantial bibliography, source notes, and further reading. Duncan includes anatomical cutaways, charts, and cartoon spot art featuring a diverse cast of young enquirers into the already generous mix of animal photos and portraits. Widely angled and unfailingly intriguing. (index)(Nonfiction. 10-13)

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Starred review from January 1, 2025
Grades 4-7 *Starred Review* At first glance, this offering might seem to be a simple overview of the comparative cognitive abilities of various animals. In reality, this is an inviting and accessible introduction to neuroscience and brain function. There are six chapters, each dedicated to one type of critter. Interviews with researchers and animal handlers, as well as profiles of individual animals, effectively demonstrate various aspects of intelligence, incorporating multiple examples and kid-friendly facts (herrings communicate through farts). For instance, octopuses provide good examples of how neurons, dendrites, and transmitters work together, while parrots effectively model how different parts of the brain (the hippocampus, amygdala, and thalamus) evoke different responses to stimuli. Other examples include squirrels (amazing memory), birds (sleep patterns), whales (communication), and tortoises (longevity). Ample additional wildlife observations provide measured analysis on topics such as astrobiology, PTSD, sense and perceptions, DNA research, gene therapy, and right- and left-brained animals and humans (scientists who moonlight as DJs or high-flying circus performers). Pages are filled with full-color photos and illustrations, with multiple highlighted information bubbles and sidebars. Each chapter ends with engaging activities, and the back matter is noticeably rich, supporting additional inquiry. This is an especially appealing addition to STEM collections.

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