You Can't Use Your Brain if You're a Jellyfish - Softcover

Ehrlich, Fred

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1593545924 ISBN 13: 9781593545925

Publisher: Blue Apple Books, 2007

Synopsis

Starting with the lowly earthworm, Dr. Fred Ehrlich looks at the brains of insects, birds, mammals, and finally humans. How are human brains different from those of other animals? What can they do that we can't? What can we do that they can't?

Dr. Fred Ehrlich makes the most complicated subjects understandable to young minds. In his third contribution to this popular series, he again combines a fact-packed text with humorous verse to emphasize important points. Illustrated with Amanda Haley's child-friendly drawings. Includes a glossary of difficult words.

About this title

About the Author:

Fred Ehrlich, a pediatrician and child psychiatrist, has spent dozens of years advising families on the emotional and physical care of young children. He is the author of many highly acclaimed children's books.

Amanda Haley holds a B.F.A. from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She lives in Virginia with her husband and their golden retriever, Sally.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-5–Starting with a mention of organisms that have no brains (jellyfish), Ehrlich moves on to consider animals with simple brains (worms, mosquitoes) that use instinct to guide them. Bigger animals with more complex cerebral activity–and what that means–are also discussed. The author then explains how humans are capable of learning, thinking, pondering, feeling, and guiding, thus making our brains the best. (He points out that all animals have a brain that is just perfect for them and their environments.) The lengthy text alternates with amusing verses, e.g., Animal brains/Have different shapes,/From little to big,/From bugs to apes. Haley's cartoon caricatures contribute to the humor. The book has a glossary, but it lacks a pronunciation guide. (How many readers are going to be able to sound out electroencephalographs or helminthologist?) The book is not detailed enough for research purposes, yet it is too advanced for youngsters without some background.–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
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About this edition

• Publisher: Blue Apple Books
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1593545924
• ISBN 13: 9781593545925
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Haley Amanda