Tanya Lloyd Kyi

This Is Your Brain on Stereotypes is a unique non-fiction novel aimed towards kids.

Books like these are what I needed during my childhood. I wanted to read non-fiction, but interesting ones! Reading the same one about bears or plants got tiring, so having a book like this would have made me jump with joy!

This is a middle grade novel that's probably closer to grade four and up. There is lots of information packed tight in this book, so I wouldn't necessarily leave it only in children's fiction. It's definitely a chapter book and goes into some rich and deep subjects. I can easily see middle grade readers pick this book up! Even educators and parents teaching their kids - in a time like right now (you know, the whole pandemic thing), books like this could help with learning, especially if kids are interested in unique topics like this one.

There is many facts scattered throughout this book. Honestly, it's like a little textbook but way more fun and better pictures. For example, my home country Canada is called out early in the book for First Nations reserves receiving less money for children's expenses for government and health care. The stereotyping problem is a big reason why some communities have social issues. This book tries to explain and find a way to eliminate it and show children the issues with stereotyping.

Stereotyping is described in easy to understand ways and then it leads into a topic of deception. Definitions, examples and history is taught throughout this book. Eager learns will absolutely love it (and man, did I ever love it! I love learning! And children's books have way better pictures). Comments are brought up, like would a young girl see herself as a math teacher if we only stereotyped nerdy white men to that role. Honestly, this book is smart and makes you think, I love it! This book even goes into Rwanda's history. There's so much packed into this little book! So much history, facts, research and commentary!

Honestly, I adore this book. It's smart and a great way to learn!

Five out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.… (mehr)

The Best Way to Get Your Way doesn't sound like a book you want to give your children, right? Wrong! It is a very informative book about the art of debating, teaching children or anyone: how debate competitions work, how lawyers often present court cases, how presidential debates are handled, and more. It is not a boring non-fiction, educational book. The aspects of debate, including the topic or resolution, opening statement, rebuttal, and closing arguments, are presented in a fun format, using issues close to a pre-teen or teenager's heart - chores, screen time, eating vegetables, bedtime, and homework. The simulated debates are entertaining and are presented by fabricated young people in the manner their counterparts might debate the subjects. The book does not just teach about debating techniques. The debates themselves are informational, and the book discusses compromise, fallacies, and biases, among other things. Chanelle Nibbelink has added quirky, colorful illustrations to the text. This book by Tanya Lloyd Kyi is a spectacular tool for teaching that arguing does not have to mean nagging or whining. Arguments may be presented in a less stressful form. After reading this, your child might decide to join their school's debate team!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the ARC of this book.… (mehr)