Herold F, et al. (2019). Functional and/or structural brain changes in response to resistance exercises and resistance training lead to cognitive improvements – a systematic review. DOI: Australian author/illustrator team Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys, who previously collaborated on Captain Starfish (originally published as The Underwater Fancy-Dress Parade) and Under the Love Umbrella, join forces again in this lovely picture-book exploration of intelligence. The rhyming text describes the many different kinds of activities and personal qualities that require intelligence, thereby highlighting that there are many different kinds of smarts, while the colorful artwork depicts those activities and qualities... Suwabe K, et al. (2018). Rapid stimulation of human dentate gyrus function with acute mild exercise. DOI:

Being sorry when you’re naughty’, for example, is an expression of interpersonal intelligence. ‘Drawing witches hats’ and ‘gluing wings on bats’ is linked to bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. This book needs to be in the hands of every policy-maker in the sphere of Education, in every classroom, in every library, and in every home … This book is an utterly glorious call to celebrate your strengths and your own unique smarts.

Davina Bell is an award winning children's author. She has written many books such as "All of the Factors of Why I Love Tractors", "Under the Love Umbrella", "The Underwater Fancy-dress Parade", "Oh Albert!" and "Hattie Helps Out". These books have won many awards and Bell is working on a young-adult novel to be released later this year. This should be required reading — in families, at workplaces, in schools. I love this beautiful, confidence-building book. I think everyone will find something here to make them feel better about themselves (and appreciate those around them).

This picture book is a celebration of creativity and the imagination. It's a celebration of empathy. It's a celebration of individuality. This is true meaning of life stuff that every child needs to hear. It should be written into the curriculum at every single school, and it should be found in every home library. This book (“All The Ways To Be Smart”) is about how being “smart” isn’t just about intellectual “smartness” but instead can encompass kindness, being artistic, being a good friend, etc. I think it’s a really important lesson that as teachers, we should be hyper aware of. It shows children that being "smart" is so much more than doing well in tests and reminds them of other important aspects of their personalities whilst showcasing all kinds of abilities. Zeidan F, et al. (2010). Mindfulness meditation improves cognition: Evidence of brief mental training. DOI: A celebration of creativity and emotional intelligence featuring a diverse cast of kids. A reassuring read for primary-aged children who feel like a round peg in a square, academic hole. Beydoun MA, et al. (2014). Caffeine and alcohol intakes and overall nutrient adequacy are associated with longitudinal cognitive performance among U.S. adults. DOI:Santisteban JA, et al. (2019). Cumulative mild partial sleep deprivation negatively impacts working memory capacity but not sustained attention, response inhibition, or decision making: a randomized controlled trial. Berns GS, et al. (2013). Short- and long-term effects of a novel on connectivity in the brain. DOI: This collaboration between Davina Bell and Alison Colpoys is a celebration of what makes us us, of the strengths that we all have within ourselves – whether we’re dreamers, adventurers, readers or artists … The illustrations are whimsical and fun, with a beautiful colour palette. Mancini E, et al. (2017). Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review. DOI: I have noticed that in year 1, a lot of children begin to get a fixed mindset when it comes to their ability and it would be very beneficial to remind them that smartness isn’t about how well they do on a maths test, it is much more about how they act, how they respond to each other and how they think. Everything that a child does can be a form of smartness when it is approached in the right way and this is a really important lesson to remind children of all age groups. It would be good to introduce it young so that the idea is intrinsic to them.

Pervin M, et al. (2019). Function of green tea catechins in the brain: Epigallocatechin gallate and its metabolites.The author of this book was inspired by Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences. A framework in which the concept of ‘intelligence’ extends far beyond that of logical and linguistic intelligence. Bell L, et al. (2015). A review of the cognitive effects observed in humans following acute supplementation with flavonoids, and their associated mechanisms of action. I think this unique book with colourful illustrations by Allison Colpoys can help children feel proud of what makes them special. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Simple, flowing words coupled with fluorescent illustrations (created from ink, charcoal, and pencil, then digitally assembled) give young readers a book brimming with examples of how they are smart all day, every day … Realistic illustrations show children of varying racial presentations joining sentient animals and benign, hairy monsters to confidently explore their world, real and imagined.

Alisi L, et al. (2019). The relationships between vitamin K and cognition: A review of current evidence. Anotonenko D, et al. (2013). Napping to renew learning capacity: enhanced coding after stimulation of sleep slow oscillations. DOI: A picture book that is joyous, life-affirming, and challenges stereotypes about what it means to be clever. Intrapersonal – ‘I use self-reflection and analysis to set personal goals and identify my strengths and weaknesses.’All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell explores multiple intelligences in a way that small children can understand and appreciate. Every child is smart in his or her own way. Some of the ways highlighted in a pleasing rhyme include creativity, physical activities, music, emotional sensitivity, memorising information, math, and traditional academic knowledge ... The illustrations by Allison Colpoys are colourful and inviting, reminiscent of the early Dr. Seuss style ... This is a charming book to help children understand that everyone has special skills and talents. I remember feeling so frustrated as a child because I wanted there to be more than one meaning of ‘smart’. This book validates how everyone is smart in their own unique way. I want to share this book with every child (and adult!) Brinke LF, et al. (2015). Aerobic exercise increases hippocampal volume in older women with probable mild cognitive impairment: A 6-month randomized controlled trial.