Books About The Brain

The Best The Brain Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

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Looking for excellent children's books about the brain? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise
Series
Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain
The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About The Brain

Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2017

The Someday Birds

By Sally J. Pla, Julie McLaughlin (Illustrator)

A boy's cross-country journey to spot birds may heal his fractured family.

327 pages· 62,765 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,270 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Charlie's life unravels after his father is injured in Afghanistan. On a cross-country trip with his siblings and a mysterious friend, Charlie believes spotting birds he and his father dreamed of will mend their world. As they journey from California to Virginia, Charlie, an autistic boy, navigates family chaos and self-discovery. Will this madcap adventure bring healing and understanding, or will it reveal deeper truths about family and resilience? Join Charlie in a tale of humor, heart, and hope as he seeks solace in the skies.
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 1966

Flowers for Algernon

A man's quest for genius mirrors a lab mouse's fate. Will he face the same decline?

311 pages· 75,561 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 835,182 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Charlie Gordon, once limited by a low IQ, undergoes a groundbreaking surgery that transforms him into a genius. As his intelligence soars, he surpasses even the scientists who altered his life. But when Algernon, the lab mouse who underwent the same procedure, begins to deteriorate, Charlie faces a haunting question: will his newfound brilliance be fleeting? As he navigates the complexities of his enhanced mind, Charlie must confront the possibility of losing everything he has gained. Can he find meaning in his transformation, or is he destined to follow Algernon's tragic path?
Picture Book · Ages 2–5 · 2024

Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise

Help uncover a special surprise while learning gestures and songs.

40 pages
4.4/5 Goodreads · 339 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Join Ms. Rachel on an interactive quest to find a special surprise! As children explore imaginary boxes, they practice gestures and speech, sing beloved songs, and engage in playful learning. With familiar characters and fun exercises, this adventure offers parents tips for brain and language development. What will you discover inside?
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2016

Bounders

By Monica Tesler · Book #1 in the Bounders series

Young cadets uncover secrets and face an alien threat that could destroy Earth.

384 pages· 79,366 words· Est. 9 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 578 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Jasper Adams joins the Bounders, a group of young cadets with unique abilities, trained to teleport through space. But when he discovers Earth Force's hidden agenda and a looming alien threat, Jasper must decide whether to trust the agency or fight for Earth's survival. As secrets unravel, the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. Will Jasper and his friends rise to the challenge, or will their discovery lead to Earth's downfall?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2022

Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

Discover how sleep helps your brain grow and reset for a new day.

40 pages· 2,120 words· Est. 17 min read-aloud
4.4/5 Goodreads · 203 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the wonders of sleep and its vital role in brain development. This engaging STEM picture book reveals how your brain locks in learning, resets, and even cleans itself while you rest. Perfect for curious minds, it encourages kids to embrace healthy sleep habits and understand the power of a good night's rest. Dive into the science of sleep and uncover the secrets of your fantastic elastic brain!
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2010

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain

Discover how mistakes help your brain grow and unlock its potential.

32 pages· 1,104 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,082 ratings
$18.95Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Dive into the wonders of the brain with Dr. JoAnn Deak's engaging guide for young minds. Learn how your brain can stretch and grow, just like muscles, and why making mistakes is key to learning. With vibrant illustrations and accessible insights, this book empowers children to embrace challenges and develop a growth mindset. Perfect for curious kids and essential for classrooms, it reveals the secrets of brain anatomy and functions, inspiring a lifelong love of learning. What new possibilities will you unlock by stretching your fantastic, elastic brain?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Brain Games

Discover the secrets of the brain, the ultimate supercomputer within you.

112 pages
4.3/5 Goodreads · 117 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Dive into the wonders of your brain, the most powerful supercomputer ever. This interactive journey reveals its intricate parts and functions, offering fascinating facts and mind-bending challenges. Explore how this wrinkled grey sponge, no bigger than a softball, controls your every move and thought. Uncover brainy news from a neuroscientist and test your knowledge with fun games. What mysteries will you unlock about the organ that makes you uniquely you?
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2017

Mustaches for Maddie

A girl faces a brain tumor with humor and courage, battling fears and school drama.

256 pages· 48,962 words· Est. 7 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 3,035 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Twelve-year-old Maddie, known for her quirky fake mustaches, faces a life-altering diagnosis: a brain tumor. As she prepares for surgery, she musters courage to confront her fears and school rival Cassie, who accuses her of lying for attention. With her imagination and humor, Maddie navigates the challenges of illness and adolescence, inspiring those around her. Will her vibrant spirit and the perfect mustache help her overcome the obstacles ahead? Join Maddie on a journey of bravery, friendship, and self-discovery as she learns the true power of kindness and resilience.
Picture Book · Ages 6–8 · 2019

The Brain Is Kind of a Big Deal

Discover why your brain is the ultimate life manager in this fun, fact-filled journey.

40 pages· 1,480 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 412 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Dive into a world where your brain is the star, managing everything from your heartbeat to your thoughts. This engaging picture book uses humor and comic-style art to reveal the brain's vital role in making you who you are. With anthropomorphized organs and witty jokes, explore how this incredible organ keeps you alive and thriving every day. Why is the brain such a big deal? Find out in this must-read adventure that makes learning about science both fun and accessible.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

Brains! Not Just a Zombie Snack

By Stacy McAnulty, Matthew Rivera (Illustrator)

A zombie chef craves brains while exploring their incredible power.

40 pages· 732 words· Est. 6 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 380 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Meet a zombie chef who resists his craving for brains, yet can't help but marvel at their power. Dive into a world where the brain's ability to process senses and its wrinkly superiority over mouse brains are humorously explored. This fact-filled adventure offers a delightful introduction to the organ that does it all, blending science with laughter in a charming picture book.
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Browse by age

The Brain Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about the brain for preschool and elementary-age readers.

A Walk in the Rain with a Brain

Ages 4–8 · 2004

A brain in a puddle teaches a girl everyone is smart in their own way.

The Brain

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Discover the brain's energy secrets.

The Great Big Brain Book

Ages 5–8 · 2020

Discover the secrets of your amazing brain and how it shapes every moment of your life.

View all the brain picture books
Browse by age

The Brain Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about the brain for developing and independent readers.

Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1399

The Brain: The Ultimate Thinking Machine

Ages 9–13 · 2018

Kidnapped by a mad scientist, Fahama must outsmart him to save her brain.

Dinged

Ages 10–14 · 2022

A young quarterback faces a dilemma: pursue his football dreams or confront the sport's dark legacy affecting his father.

Love, Ish

Ages 9–13 · 2017

A young dreamer's Mars-bound future is threatened by a life-altering diagnosis. Can she find a way to survive and thrive?

The Sense of Hearing

Ages 7–9 · 2008

Explore the mysteries of sound and the secrets of hearing.

This Book Is Full of Brains

Ages 8–12 · 2023

Discover mind-blowing brain facts and activities that captivate curious minds.

Inside Out 2
Sale price
$799

Inside Out 2

Ages 6–9 · 2024

Riley's mind faces new emotional adventures as a teenager.

Basketball Breakdown

Ages 9–12 · 2016

Benched by a concussion, Shaena fears losing her place on the team. Can she find her way back?

Missing—One Brain!

Ages 8–12 · 2020

An alien sixth-grader loses his grandfather's brain. Can he find it before chaos ensues?

Sale price
$599

Brain Trouble

Ages 7–10 · 2020

A magic portal leads to a science adventure. Can teamwork solve the puzzles?

The Year of the Buttered Cat

Ages 10–14 · 2021

A teen faces surgery and a mystery to reclaim her voice and body.

Courage on Ice

Ages 9–12 · 2019

A skater's fall tests her resolve amid cultural ridicule.

Sale price
$595

Balance Beam Boss

Ages 8–11 · 2019

A gymnast battles fear after a fall threatens her future on the beam.

Keep exploring
Books about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)Books about diseases, illnesses, injuries, and disabilitiesBooks about experimentsBooks about family problemsBooks about intellectual disabilitiesBooks about social themesBooks about surgery

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