MIGHTY MINDSETS

Instructions on how to use your brain.

Directly addressing readers, this conversational text explains key features of the brain and ways to train it to develop a healthy, flexible mindset. Doyle covers many related topics: how the brain works, neuroplasticity, mindfulness, the growth mindset, perseverance, gratitude, and compassion. Woven throughout the chapters are exercises for readers to try, such as visualizing one’s brain, breathing intentionally, and using the power of yet (disheartening self-talk such as “I’m no good at maths” can easily be turned into “I’m not good at maths yet”). All are easily done while reading or could be referenced later as needed. Doyle also lists quotes from contemporary and historical figures including Michael Jordan, Aristotle, and Malala Yousafzai. The accompanying art is soft, with faint, sketchy lines and watercolorlike washes of colors. The art captures the likenesses of real people while also keeping an ethereal, airy quality to match the focuses on thoughts and breathing, as well as complementing a cheeky joke in the text every so often. Originally published in Ireland, the book contains a few phrases that might be unfamiliar to American ears, though none should impede readers’ comprehension. People depicted are diverse in terms of age and skin tone.

A valuable way to cultivate resilience and mindfulness.