Brian the Brain goes on tour around Greater Manchester schools

Dr Louise Mansell with Brian the Brain

A book published by a Rochdale psychology service has been touring schools in the north west of England.  

Beyond Psychology published its first children’s book, Brian the Brain, in November and it has proved to be a huge success in local schools.  

The book, which began as a homeschooling project between child clinical psychologist Dr Louise Mansell and her son Samuel in 2020, helps children and younger people understand their emotional and mental health.  
 

Read more: Rochdale psychology service publishes book for children to understand their own brains and mental healthPublished: 17 November 2021

Brian the Brain has already visited a number of schools in the Greater Manchester area and is set to visit more schools as far as Leeds, with competitions running all week to win free copies and school visits.  

This week marks children’s mental health week, and Louise predicts that over by the end of Friday, 1,000 children will have seen Brian and had the book read to them, which encourages them to converse about mental health and well-being.  

Schools are also benefitting from the work, as Louise suggests that some have asked about staff training to help them better understand fellow clinical psychologist Paul Gilbert’s three systems model and how it can be used to support well-being.  

Beaver Primary school in Oldham has even dedicated an area to Brian the Brain where children can go if they are struggling, which emphasises the significant impact the book has had. 

Louise has already begun work on her next publication, which will feature a self-critical main character named Belle.