This holiday season, give the gift of learning how to stretch your brain!

By Rana DiOrio, Founder, Little Pickle Press

About the Story. On November 26^th, Little Pickle Press launched an exciting new book—Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain: Stretch It! Shape It! This innovative and timely picture book teaches children that they have the ability to stretch and grow their own brains. It also delivers the crucial message that mistakes are an essential part of learning. The book introduces children to the anatomy and various functions of the brain in a fun and engaging way.

About the Author. JoAnn Deak, Ph.D. is an author and an international speaker, educator, and preventative psychologist. She also works with parents, teachers, and other adults who work with children as a consultant to schools worldwide on issues of brain development and gender equity. To learn more about Dr. Deak and her work, please visit www.deakgroup.com.

About the Illustrator. Sarah Ackerley began pursuing her dream of becoming a real live picture book illustrator after earning her BFA from the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. To her delight, Sarah currently works as an illustrator in Los Altos, California, where she resides with her husband and two fickle cats. To learn more about Sarah and her work, please visit www.sarahackerley.com.

How the Author met the Publisher. Our Chairman, Robbie Vann-Adibé, pulled me aside after our yoga class early one Saturday morning (that is how we met years ago). He had attended a lecture delivered by Dr. Deak at his children’s school the previous week. He thought that what she had to say about the brain and its development was important not only for adults to know but also for children. I agreed with him and purchased one of Dr. Deak’s books, Girls Will Be Girls, the next day. After reading and enjoying it, I sent Dr. Deak an email with our idea. To my delight, she responded right away. Within weeks we were under contract and working on what has become Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain.

How to learn more about the book. You may learn more about the book on our website at www.littlepicklepress.com and by following the blog book tour we have scheduled for it the week of January 11 by visiting www.littlepicklepress.blogspot.com.

How to get your copy. You may obtain your copy of Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain on our website. You may also buy copies on Amazon or, better yet, your local independent bookstore. If your local indy bookstore does not yet have our books, well, by all means please tell them that they ought to!

We welcome your feedback. As always, we welcome your feedback about Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain, or anything else for that matter. You may reach us at info@littlepicklepress.com. Thank you for your interest in what we’re doing.