Double Book Review: Brain: An Owner's Guide and How to Train Your Amygdala

by Lauren Saunders, M.Ed.

What is most worth our curiosity and attention these days? The following books suggest turning inward to look at the human mind. As part of the The Body Literacy Library series, Brain: An Owner's Guide (2025) by Elizabeth Ricker compiles mental health research and conclusions of recent studies, with helpful color illustrations. At a brisk 207 pages, the book covers suggestions and strategies for self-improvement, as well as straightforward descriptions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems all with recent research explained. Ricker is a skilled science communicator, and the medical studies and papers that she includes are listed as sources in several pages at the back of the book, and many are easily accessible with listed websites. Ricker discusses brain development and growth both in children and the brains of new and experienced parents.  

As a professional in the field, I appreciate her positive and respectful language while discussing neurodivergence and learning differences. With an inclusive and wide ranging scope, the book encourages readers to consider how brains change over time and what we can do to help ourselves at all stages of life.

Simultaneously, I read the children’s book, How to Train Your Amygdala, and found it to be a helpful story for younger readers. Focusing on the functions of the almond-shaped amygdala, Anna Housley Juster sets up a discussion of brain structures in a way that is funny, helpful and accessible. Families will read about the amygdala in the form of a spunky fur-covered character, who explains how the nervous system, body and brain work together.  With engaging illustrations, this story would be best for students aged 5 to 9.  Get curious about the nervous system with your kids and spark wider conversations about self-care and self-awareness. And if you get asked more questions than you have answers for, there are resources and information for parents at the back. 

Lauren Saunders is a freelance writer and author living in rural Massachusetts with her family and an unreasonable number of houseplants. She holds a BS in Psychology from the College of William & Mary and a Master’s in Education from Hawai’i Pacific University. She also works online with neurodivergent adults and students to achieve their goals. 

You can find these books on bookshop.org while supporting your local indie bookshop!