50 x 5 stars! What readers say about “brainsmart parenting”

More than 50 readers have now reviewed and rated “BrainSmart Parenting” in the Danish ebook store Saxo.com. Each and everyone one of them has chosen to give the book 5 stars out of 5. And YES, we are working on getting it translated into English (on top of the German, Swedish and Norwegian translations that are already out there). Below you’ll see some of the reviews, telling a beautiful story of science communication that touches and empowers people. Here are some highlights:

• “A book that MUST be read!” (Lisa B, mother)
• “Amazing book!! A great help in my life as a father of three, and I can really recommend it” (Erik S, father)
• “A golden egg” (Tonning, mother)
• “I am totally crazy about this book, and I think it is so important that everyone should read it! … It is well-written and visually nice and you get so consumed by it, that it is read in no time.” (Erla I, mother)
• “I highly recommend the book. It is nice to get such useful knowledge served to you in an easily accessible language. I soon got smarter about myself, my behavioural patterns and how, with small changes, I could solve and avoid a lot of those stupid situations I often end up in with my children during the everyday hustle and bustle.” (Torben D, father)
• “A book, which tells about how the brain works in a human language” (Rebekka V, mother)
• “I have read it several times” (Kira, mother)
• “I ‘swallowed’ the book for lunch” (Lone J, mother)
• “Brainsmart Parenting – a super book, which I as a man can relate to instead of all the other books on the market with all sorts of self-proclaimed experts. I like facts, where you can look behind the problem and try to find other approaches … I read it in two days only even though I normally don’t read!”
• “It is rare to find an author writing about such complex matters, who can make it so digestible and useful for everyone.” (Lisbeth M, grandmother)

Here are some more reviews from readers:

From self-harm to lots of “green days”

Anna, mother: “Thank you so much for writing the Brainsmart books! The books have done wonders for my son’s well-being at school. My son (the youngest of three) has just turned 7. He started school two years ago, with major daily difficulties. He did self-harm, such as pulling his hair or ears, or knocking his head against the wall when he got angry. He was monitored by the school psychologist. There were a lot of meetings with all the teachers. He wasn’t diagnosed as such by the specialist teacher, but rather was described as being “asynchronously developed”: He was ahead of his peers when it came to academic development; but behind when it came to social development. Getting some knowledge about the amygdala and using the colours of your Amygdala clock really hit home with him. We have used it together to find out what happens before he gets so angry in school and to come up with solutions for how he can help himself. The point which I take with me especially, as a mother, is that it isn’t the last straw that breaks the back that needs special focus. It is the course of events in their entirety. The patterns. The colours of the Amygdala clock has helped him and us to discover patterns that were previously unknown to us all; patterns which, naturally, it was difficult for him to describe in words. I am so happy to be able to write it: Min son has now learned how to function well amongst classmates and teachers. He almost always has “green days” now. It’s just such a joy! Thank you, once more. Your books are SO wise, I am full of admiration. This kind of dissemination is super important; it’s wonderful that someone is able to do it. The distance between the research of the scientists and the down-to-earth concrete advice for ordinary people is generally way too far apart.”

“I’ve read it 2-3 times by now”

Laust Peter G, father: “I have read BrainSmart Parenting 2-3 times by now, and it’s on the shelf with my top 5 books. Who would have thought that a book about parenting would go on to become one of my favourite books about personal development? I apply the principles on a daily basis. I use the “towards language” with my child and it works. The book has made me aware of just how deeply rooted the “away from” language is in our communication with children … I can only recommend that you read the book. Even if you haven’t got kids.”

10 stars out of 5!

Alessia C, mother: “A REALLY lovely book written from the heart. Difficult subject matter that is communicated easily and elegantly and with a twist of humour. I hits home and makes you realise that being a brainsmart adult is the starting point for a good relationship with your child. A book that everyone should read, even if you don’t have any children. So very instructive!! 10 stars out of 5!”

Written in a language that anyone can understand

Annette T, mother: “I’m impressed! A book that is written in a language so that anyone can understand what it’s really about. Useful situations described so well that they can actually work in your own home. A huge win for adults and children alike. An opportunity to talk with the children about how our brain functions, for good and for bad.”

I soon got smarter about myself

Torben D, father: “I highly recommend the book. It is nice to get such useful knowledge served to you in an easily accessible language. I soon got smarter about myself, my behavioural patterns and how, with small changes, I could solve and avoid a lot of those stupid situations that I often end up in with my children during the everyday hustle and bustle.”

An absolutely amazing book
Inge M, mother: “An absolutely amazing book that really made a difference at home with us. Our communication with the children has been improved, and I can feel that I have used the techniques myself to be happier. Huge recommendations from me!”

“The examples and explanations has stuck in my mind”

Kristine B, mother: “A really well-written, thoughtful and super relevant book. Having read the book, the examples and explanations used by Anette has really stuck in my mind as good ‘reminders’ for the next time I am put in a demanding situation with my two girls – or with adults, for that matter.”

I’m constantly recommending this book

Tanja J, mother: “I have kept on constantly recommending this book every since I read it! …. to co-workers in my workplace – a large special school – to my post natal group, and I have used it as a present several times! It gives you some really good advice without ‘lecturing’ you and it gives you some strategies that not only work but which provide you with new angles and tools for you and your children to become more brainsmart.”

Amazing book

Erik S, father: “Amazing book!! A great help in my life as a father of three, and I can really recommend it.”

My “bible” these days

Lise K, mother: “This book is my “bible” these days, and I have read and listened to it several times as an audio book. Just now, I am working on transferring all the knowledge into everyday practice together with my 3 children. It is an incredible comfort to have a lot of great tools in more or less intense situations with children. Wish I’d had that knowledge before I had children! Thank you to Anette Prehn for this important and also easily understandable book. Can also warmly recommend her other books such as “Play Your Brain”.”

Finally a book that works! 

Betina B, mother: “Here’s finally a book that works! Since we got our third child, we have really been challenged, and I have read one book after another in order to find a solution on how to deal with an incredibly stubborn child. This book has helped us and I recommend it warmly.”

Inspiring storyteller

Marianne B, mother: “Anette is an inspiring storyteller who provides you with living examples and practical methods, which motivate you to get started being brainsmart.”

Helps adults understand children

Katrine K, mother: “Anette is enormously inspiring in her way of trying to help adults understand children in new ways. It inspires to reflection on a high level for parents, teachers etc. in the everyday interaction with children. It is thought-provoking how even little tweaks by the adults during an ordinary day, can help children to a better and more positive development.”

So digestible and useful for everyone

Lisbet M, grandmother: “I have now read BrainSmart Parenting and BrainSmart Pedagogy. They are two amazing books that provide me with simple and smart explanations for my work as a psychotherapist – and as a grandmother to my 4 grandchildren. I bought Hjernesmart Pedagogy but soon found that I couldn’t do without its predecessor BrainSmart Parenting, where some of the basic models were explained. So, I just had to own Anette’s other books, as it is rare to find an author writing about such complex matters, who can make it so digestible and useful for everyone. Thank you, Anette!!”

Ought to be a part of educational courses

Jette H, mother: “An amazing book all the way through, for individuals and for anyone who works with or are curious about other people. An eye opener with concrete advice on how to work with yourself and others. A book that ought to be a part of educational courses, and which should be lying on the nightstand of parents and of young people growing.”

Entertaining and reader-friendly – though staying serious

Rikke M, mother: “As a mother and as an educational consultant I have made great use of “Brainsmart Parenting” and I recommend it to children, teachers and educators alike. This provides you with opportunities for understanding children (and yourself) and for working with language, thought patterns, empathy, and social learning. As a bonus, it is written in an entertaining and reader-friendly manner – without in any way impairing the seriosity or the subject matter.”

I swallowed the book!

Connie F., mother: “It is with great interest that I have read, well rather ‘swallowed’ the book ‘Brainsmart Parenting’.  It is incredibly relevant and useful in relation to my own life with 3 children and my job as a school teacher. I have rarely read a theoretical book that is able to explain and apply all the theories in a practicable manner. The book is written in a language so you can directly explain all the examples to, for example, your husband, co-workers and even children. This is definitely a book, which I’ll go back to and read at regular intervals – in order to constantly practice the amazing examples from Anette Prehn. I am very inspired and I’m looking forward to reading ‘BrainSmart Pedagogy’.”

A super book for a man – read it in two days only

Kilo B.: “Brainsmart Parenting – a super book, which I as a man can relate to instead of all the other books on the market with all sorts of self-proclaimed experts. I like facts, where you can look behind the problem and try to find other approaches. Good book, read it and learn something about children and also adults. I read it in two days only even though I normally don’t read!”

The amygdala has become a natural part of our lives

Line N, mother: “I have had the pleasure of reading your book “Brainsmart Parenting” during the summer. It has been an eye-opening and very instructive book, which I not only read but also applied in practice. During the holiday, there was time and peace to read and try out some of your theories. I taught the family about amygdala and the prefrontal cortex – we had a look at the amygdala thermometer and “the balloon”. It was incredible how quickly my boys aged 5 and 8 learned how to use the amygdala thermometer. We talked about when the amygdala was green, yellow or red. “The amygdala” has become a natural part of our everyday life, and we give words to and are more conscious about the alarm bell that is amygdala! All in all, I just really want to thank you for a very inspiring and educative book. It is a book that can be used in many contexts – not just with children, but also in your relation to your own private and professional self.”

An amazing book!

Pia Hansen: “’Brainsmart Parenting’ is an amazing book that has been a GREAT success at our various nurseries. Heads, employees and several parents have all uttered their excitement over the content and the way it is written. Everyone has been hugely inspired by it and we have recommended it to our interdisciplinary collaborators and other nurseries too.”

Life will never be the same again

Mette O, mother: “Life will never be the same again after you’ve read this book – because your level of consciousness will be lifted to a higher level.”

Anette Prehn is on a mission to make neuroscience available to all, i.e. easy to understand, remember and apply.

She is a keynote speaker, trainer and author who has inspired hundreds of thousands across the planet. People call her “the Cruyff of applied neuroscience”. She is a female entrepreneur who has been running her business for more than 13 years.

Her clients include Siemens, Bosch, Ericsson, Roche, Lego, Novo Nordic, Man Diesel and Turbo and Danske Bank. Throughout these many years, her clients have been powerfully inspired to apply neuroscience to work situations, but they have also asked her: “How do I more specifically apply the logics of the brain to parenting?” and “I can see my kids gaining from knowing this as well. What’s the best way to introduce them to these tools?” Being the mother of two and the stepmother of two, those questions got Anette Prehn going. She has started adding to her portfolio how parents, teachers and nursery nurses can become more brainsmart, thus nuturing an environment that helps kids learn, thrive and regulate emotions relevantly. And most recently, in her Brain Friends series, she is sharing with children and teenagers how to strike up a friendship with one’s brain rather than being at the receiving end only of its impulses and habits. 

Anette Prehn is also a diligent creator of Danish songs, primarily in collaboration with composers Rasmus Skov Borring and Kristian Bisgaard. You can see / sing all her published songs here.