Pickles and Her Upstairs Brain
#1 of 1 in Pickles Adventures in Controlling Emotions Series
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
Amy is extremely frightened of the dark. With guidance from her parents and therapist, she learns about the concept of an Upstairs brain and a Downstairs brain. The Downstairs brain can react in fear even when there is no real danger. Amy's understanding deepens when she finds a scared, lost pet rat and names it Pickles. As Amy helps Pickles overcome fear, it reinforces her knowledge of how her Downstairs and Upstairs brain function.
Discussion points
What do you think Pickles felt when she first learned about her 'upstairs brain'?
Can you tell me about a time when you used your 'upstairs brain' like Pickles?
Why is it important to think before we act, just like Pickles learns in the story?
What are some ways we can help our 'upstairs brain' make good decisions?
How do you think the story would change if Pickles didn't learn about her 'upstairs brain'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they know about the brain and its functions to prime their thinking about the book's topic.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask your child predictive questions, like 'What do you think Pickles will do next?' to keep them engaged and thinking critically.
Relate the story to your child's experiences by discussing similar situations where they had to make a decision and how they felt.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of what they think their 'upstairs brain' looks like, using elements from the story.
Create a 'thinking cap' craft with your child that they can wear when they need to make decisions, inspired by Pickles’ learning process in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: Pickles explores her feelings of excitement, fear, and curiosity, helping young readers identify and name their own emotions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their feelings more clearly and understand why they may feel a certain way in different situations.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, Pickles encounters various challenges which she learns to navigate using her 'upstairs brain' - a metaphor for thoughtful decision-making.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and develop solutions to everyday problems they might face, such as resolving conflicts with friends or overcoming fears.
Example Lesson: Importance of Curiosity
Explanation: Pickles' adventurous spirit leads her to discover new aspects of her world, showing the benefits of asking questions and exploring.
Real-World Application: Kids are motivated to explore the world around them, which can enhance their learning and understanding of new concepts.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As Pickles interacts with other characters, she learns to understand and share their feelings, which is a crucial element in developing empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can improve their relationships by being considerate of others' emotions, leading to better social interactions both in school and at play.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Pickles shows resilience when things don't go as planned, demonstrating the ability to recover from setbacks.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that it's okay to make mistakes and that perseverance is key to overcoming difficulties.