Cranium Critters - by Marie Weller & Paula Vertikoff (Paperback)

About the Book

Scout, the brain's safety pup introduces the brain's fight, flight, and freeze response in child-friendly language and learns strategies for calming big emotions during stressful situations.

Book Synopsis

Cranium Critters: Paws at the Pause Place takes children on an engaging journey to understand how their brains work, manage emotions, and make thoughtful decisions-all with the help of Scout the Safety Pup and Einstein the Owl!

Scout, the brain's safety pup, is always on alert for potential danger, ensuring everyone stays safe. Einstein the Owl, the brain's head thinker and problem solver, leads the way in decision-making and tackling challenges. Together, they guide young readers through exciting adventures that unlock the secrets of emotional regulation, stress management, and thoughtful behavior.

Children will explore how their amygdala (Scout) and prefrontal cortex (Einstein) work together to help them stay safe and think clearly. Along the way, they'll gain a deeper understanding of the brain's fight, flight, and freeze response while learning practical tools to handle stress, anxiety, and overwhelming feelings.

Packed with calming strategies, Cranium Critters: Paws at the Pause Place introduces the concept of a "Pause Place"-a safe space where kids can stop, breathe, and think before reacting. With Scout and Einstein as their guides, children will discover how to create their own Pause Place to manage big emotions, build resilience, and approach challenges with confidence.

This book also includes a helpful Note to Grown-Ups, featuring accessible explanations of brain science and actionable tips for helping children develop emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills.

Perfect for parents, teachers, and school counselors, this engaging and educational book is an essential resource for fostering emotional growth, stress management, and self-awareness in young readers.

Set your child on a path to understanding their emotions and making confident, thoughtful choices.

Get your copy today and unleash the power of Cranium Critters!

Review Quotes

"The adorable characters, Scout and Einstein, show readers how to get themselves back under control or stay in control when problems arise. This book also includes a Notes For Grownups page that is easy to read and understand. It explains how Scout and Einstein represent the functions of parts of the brain and why that's important."

"Cranium Critters: Paws at the Pause Place is so creative and engaging! Marie and Paula have joined forces to provide an easy, yet very effective way to recognize mental struggles and how to find ways to stop and regroup. Both the story and illustrations are easily understood by children and adults. Additional information is also provided to enable adults to understand how the brain functions and how to create a Paws Place there at home. A teacher and mother for over 30 years, I highly recommend this wonderful resource!"