'Working in public engagement gave me experience of synthesising and explaining difficult concepts'

A fascinating new book about the human mind and brain, for children aged nine and up, has been published this month. Wonders of the Mind was written by Dr Francesca Fotheringham – a developmental psychologist with a background researching children's emotional development, wellbeing, and neurodiversity.

The book, illustrated by Jan Bielecki, covers a wide range of topics including the anatomy of the brain, how the brain thinks, emotions, memory, sleep, neurodiversity and mental health and has been produced in association with the BPS. The book is the fourth in a series of books for children and young people which aim to make science more accessible – following Wonders of the Night Sky and The Future of the Universe by Professor Raman Prinja and The Wonders of Time by Emily Akkermans, all published in association with Royal Observatory Greenwich published by Wayland (an imprint of Hachette Children's Group).

Fotheringham initially completed a PhD in children's emotional development at the University of St Andrews and has since moved into a pupil support role at a school in Fife – with plans to complete her Educational Psychology training in the future. During her time at St Andrews Fotheringham also held a public engagement role, followed by two postdoctoral positions.

'One of my old colleagues from public engagement told me that Hachette was looking to do this book on the mind and I got in touch with Grace Glendinning, the editor. They were really interested in doing something on the brain – I told them I wasn't a neuroscientist and gave them more of a psychology perspective about the mind more generally… they really liked that idea.'

Given her academic background, Fotheringham was already experienced in translating complex ideas for younger audiences. 'During my PhD, I became used to explaining these psychological concepts to children and families – predominantly about emotional development – but then you're also asked questions about psychology in general. Working in public engagement gave me experience in synthesising and explaining difficult concepts to different publics. Translating scientific ideas was a skill I'd built up over a number of years, so it felt like quite a natural progression for me to take on the role of writing this book for children.'

Wonders of the Mind also includes a foreword by the Chair of the BPS Research Board and Professor of Psychology and Human Development, Andy Tolmie (University College London). He wrote that understanding how the brain works and how that relates to the mind is key to healthy mental growth.

'Knowledge of the mind and its wonders helps us make sense of how we experience and think about the world and the people around us – rather than our thoughts, feelings or experiences being mysterious, confusing and even worrying. Realising where specific thoughts and feelings come from and what influences them helps us to manage them in a positive way.

'Particularly important is the recognition that feelings, ways of thinking and our ability to learn are not fixed and that it is possible to change these. Recognising that it is possible to change our thoughts and feelings also helps us to become aware of the diversity in how others think and feel, and how this diversity arises from differences in our individual and shared experiences of the world – breaking down simple and prejudiced ideas about others.' 

Find out more about Wonders of the Mind.