Wits Guts Grit

April 1, 2018

Science writer Pincott (Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?) looks at natural biohacks to help kids adapt to a changing world. She takes on the concept of grit, the ability to keep pursuing one's goals even after setbacks and against all odds, popularized by psychologist Angela Duckworth in her book of the same name and one of two traits said to be more predictive of success than IQ (the other is self-control). Drawing on existing research and her own experimentation, Pincott asks, what if memory and learning could be improved after eating certain foods, what if we use nature itself to shape the minds and health of our children by harnessing products available in the natural world? In addition to citing numerous scientific journal studies on subjects such as getting fresh air to increase focus and creativity and consuming more dietary fiber to help with childhood anxiety, Pincott discusses experiments incorporated into her own household. Whether allowing her daughters' poop to be swabbed for American Gut, an initiative that sequences and compares microbiota of people across the country, or eating homemade yogurt twice a day and monitoring their cortisol levels, personal accounts leaven this fascinating glimpse into how the natural world can bolster children's growth. VERDICT A compelling read that solidly makes the nature to nurture connection.

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2018

Science writer Pincott (Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?) looks at natural biohacks to help kids adapt to a changing world. She takes on the concept of grit, the ability to keep pursuing one's goals even after setbacks and against all odds, popularized by psychologist Angela Duckworth in her book of the same name and one of two traits said to be more predictive of success than IQ (the other is self-control). Drawing on existing research and her own experimentation, Pincott asks, what if memory and learning could be improved after eating certain foods, what if we use nature itself to shape the minds and health of our children by harnessing products available in the natural world? In addition to citing numerous scientific journal studies on subjects such as getting fresh air to increase focus and creativity and consuming more dietary fiber to help with childhood anxiety, Pincott discusses experiments incorporated into her own household. Whether allowing her daughters' poop to be swabbed for American Gut, an initiative that sequences and compares microbiota of people across the country, or eating homemade yogurt twice a day and monitoring their cortisol levels, personal accounts leaven this fascinating glimpse into how the natural world can bolster children's growth. VERDICT A compelling read that solidly makes the nature to nurture connection.-Julia M. Reffner, North Chesterfield, VA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2018
Plenty of current parenting titles explore how to raise children, but few are based on biohacks. With Wits Guts Grit, Pincott (Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies? The Surprising Science of Pregnancy, 2011) taps into the science of what we eat, what we see, and what we can do to help make decisions for healthy and bright future generations. Readers may be wary of the number of scientific facts to wade through and feel depressed by some?the fresh food we choose today is nutritionally inferior to its predecessors?as well by the examples of how we've evolved?or haven't?as humans. Sidebars help those who want to skip some of the lengthy explanations and jump to the healthy choices and results. And while parents won't find advice for more extracurricular activities, therapists, or antianxiety meds, they'll gain ways to use scientifically based, natural options for helping kids grow. Wits Guts Grit will be a sought-after addition for any public library parenting collection.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)