A Walk in the Rain with a Brain

by Edward M. Hallowell

Each brain finds its own special way -- that's the message in this delightful, colorful story by America's foremost expert on learning and childhood development. Edward Hallowell, M.D., is a noted psychiatrist and teacher and a leading authority on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. At many of his lectures worldwide he has read a story he wrote for children about how each person's brain is unique -- and it has resonated among the thousands of parents, teachers, and others who have heard it. A Walk in the Rain with a Brain is the illustrated version of that story. In it, a little girl named Lucy is making her way down a rainy sidewalk when she spies, of all things, a brain -- Manfred, called Fred -- sitting forlornly in a puddle. The courtly cerebrum asks Lucy for help getting home, and as they walk along she worries that she's not smart enough. "Everyone's smart!" explains Fred. "You just need to find out at what!" Fred reassures her that each child learns and thinks differently -- and that every child has special talents. Charming illustrations and a funny, whimsical story teach children to play and learn in order to find the strengths they have -- and a discussion guide at the end gives parents and educators the background support they need in order to help children understand and discover the sparkling individuality of their minds.

Genres: Psychology, Adhd, Childrens, Teaching, Picture Books, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Edward (Ned) Hallowell, M.D., is a child and adult psychiatrist, a NY Times bestselling author, a world-renowned speaker and a leading authority in the field of ADHD. He has authored twenty books including the 1994 ground-breaking New York Times best-seller on ADHD, Driven to Distraction. In aggregate, Dr. Hallowell's books have sold more than 2 million copies on various psychological topics including how to: raise children into happy adults, manage worry, develop focus, forgiveness, connecting on a deeper level and how to inspire the best from employees. His most recent book was his Memoir, Because I Come From A Crazy Family The Making Of A Psychiatrist. His next book, ADHD 2.0 releases on January 12, 2021. Pre-order your copy today.

He is the host of “Distraction,” a weekly podcast that offers insights, strategies and tactics for coping and thriving in this crazy-busy, 24/7 over-connected modern world.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Celebrating learning differences and that no brain works the same.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely piece of poetry is aimed at helping children understand that all brains have strengths. All brains learn, and all brains grow. The aim here is to dispel the idea that any brain is smarter (or better) than another. What matters most is challenging your brain to keep growing by engaging in lots of fun learning.

[Tamarah Bartmess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the authors approach to intelligence. As Fred says "no brain is the same, no brain is the best, each brain finds its own special way." To teach children at a young age of their personal potential and also help acknowledge the potential of everyone around them is a wonderful gift to give. Society tries too often to lump us into categories and it is good to have a book for children that takes that and brakes the trend by teaching them early how to view themselves and others.

The Discussion guide is wonderful for Parents/Teachers/Coaches to create a dialogue with children and help reinforce the important concepts expressed in the story.

The rhyme and flow was comfortable to read aloud to my daughters.

The pictures were a fresh and different approach to childrens book illustration.

"Have fun with your brain every day. Brains do best when they play."

[Alexandra Chauran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cracked out book. Good message, I guess? The rhyming structure was infuriating and had a very self-published feel. That said, my son had me read it twice. Now to return it to the library before they make me read it a third time.

[Amanda Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Fred, a brain, meets Smart…things go terribly wrong. Smart exclaims, “that’s the best kind of brain, if you think like me you’ll rise to the top! But if you cannot, you’ll be dumb as a mop. And never will you rise to the top.” Fred realizes he had never heard of smart. Along his journey he meets Complain, Brave, and Smart. They each vie for being the best, when Fred discovers that none of them are. Readers learn that all brains are different and how to consider what makes us unique as a gift.

When do we learn that our brain betrayed us? How does this happen? Through this story we are taught that being different is truly a gift. Considering your talent as better than someone is harmful to both self and others. Strengthened by numbers, our oneness should be celebrated, but more importantly how our talents can make the group stronger. A house is not built with one piece of wood. A community is not represented by a single person. Nothing is improved by superiority. How much stronger is a community when we all come together with our own gifts. How a home is built with several pieces of wood, electricity, plumbing, etc. We need variety to make the world a better functioning and more interesting place to exist.

As simple as the story is, it is relatable by all elementary school grades. It is an excellent read aloud for social-studies and social-emotional learning. Although the story itself is appropriate to be read aloud kindergarten trough 5th grade, I would only place it in the classroom library 3rd through 5th grade.

[Courtenay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with other readers, I had to check and see if this was self-published. Harper Collins? Really? In a word, ANNOYING. The rhymes -- or meta-rhymes -- didn't work for me and right after reading it I gave up and went to sleep. And the illustrations? hokey. Not a fan. Meh.

[Jordin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully rhythmic & a powerful message.

[Gnweiss]

A Walk in the Rain with a Brain, By Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and Illustrations by Bill Mayer.
A little girl named Lucy is walking down the street, when she meets a brain named Manfred. He asks Lucy to help him find his head, but Lucy she is not smart enough, nonsense we all are smart, so they went off to find Manfred's head. He told how brains need rest, they need to read, they good food and most of all each brain finds its own special way! It is illustrated with bold colors and the author uses anthropomorphism in a way that the brain is charming and wise

[Randi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this wonderful little book. I ran across it today at the library and couldn't resist taking the time to read it. Its written by a psychiatrist who has an awesome message about everyone potential. One part (in the discussion guide) in the back sums up his message "Science has proved that "smart" really doesn't mean much. it is like the word, "good." You have to ask, "smart at what?" or "good at what?"

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be perfect for read alouds. It is about a girls who goes walking with a brain. The brain tells her that it's not that she isn't good at stuff, it is that she just needs to work at it. I would use this when studying the brain or in CHracter development. The colors in the Illustrations are different then some, but still amazing

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about every brain being different and none being "best",

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd but interesting.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute idea

[Briana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Girl has to help brain and he chats her up. Weird and awkward.