All About Brains: A Book About People for Curious Young Minds
By Books of Wonder | Published: 2026-11-04
Category: Product Reviews
A parent-friendly FAQ on All About Brains, Lake Bell's picture book about neurodiversity, share day, and finding what makes a child unique.
Quick answer
All About Brains: A Book About People is a good pick if you want a gentle, story-led way to start a conversation with a young child about how brains differ. It suits families and classrooms looking for a kids book about the brain that treats neurodiversity as part of everyday life rather than a lesson to be mastered.
What the book actually is, and what it is not
This is a debut picture book by Lake Bell, described as a joyfully whimsical story that celebrates the beauty of neurodiversity. It is not a science reference book, so do not expect diagrams, glossary terms, or a grade-by-grade explanation of neurons. The story follows Nova, who needs to bring something unique for share day and plans to bring her breakfast pickles, until the jar turns out to be empty. Her morning medicine then leads her toward a different share.
That framing matters for expectations. If your goal is introducing neuroscience to kids with labeled brain parts and factual sidebars, this book will feel too story-first. If your goal is a warm entry point that lets a child see differences as interesting rather than clinical, the picture-book approach is the point.
Where it fits best, and where it may not
The share-day premise makes the book easy to connect to classroom routines, show-and-tell, or a family conversation about what makes each person unique. It works well as a read-aloud because the plot gives you a natural pause to ask, "What would you bring?" The medicine detail also opens a door to talking about how some brains need support to do their best, without making that the whole story.
It is less useful as a standalone children's nonfiction about people in the encyclopedia sense. Readers who want profiles, comparisons, or explanations of how the brain works will need a second, more factual title alongside it. The catalog does not list page count, reading level, or age range, so check the book's own jacket or ask the store before buying for a specific grade.
FAQ: All About Brains for curious kids
- What age is All About Brains for?
- The catalog does not state an age range or reading level. Use the picture-book format and the share-day school setting as a rough guide, and confirm the publisher's suggested age on the physical book or with Books of Wonder before buying for a specific child.
- Is it a science book about the brain?
- No. It is a fictional picture book about Nova, share day, and neurodiversity. Treat it as a story that introduces the idea that brains work differently, not as a fact book with anatomy or definitions. Pair it with a factual title if your child wants explanations of how the brain works.
- What happens in the story?
- Nova has to bring something unique for share day and plans to bring her breakfast pickles. The pickle jar is empty, so she has to find a new share, and her morning medicine leads her to the perfect one.
- How can I use it to introduce neuroscience to kids?
- Read it aloud first for the story. On a second read, pause at the medicine moment and ask what Nova's brain might need help with, then connect that to everyday examples like glasses, fidget tools, or a quiet corner. Keep the science light and let the child's questions lead. Have one simple factual book on hand for the questions the story raises.
- Is it a good classroom or library read-aloud?
- Yes, if your goal is a short discussion about differences and share day. The school setting gives students an easy entry point. Preview the medicine reference first so you can frame it in a way that fits your classroom's language and privacy norms.
- What should I check before buying?
- Confirm the format option you want, since the listing offers a Format choice. Also check the suggested age and page count on the book itself, because those details are not in the catalog record.
Product facts
- All About Brains : A Book About People: This is Lake Bell's debut picture book, and the catalog describes it as a whimsical story celebrating neurodiversity. Knowing it is a story-first picture book helps you choose it as a conversation starter rather than a science reference.
All About Brains : A Book About People
