< Picture Books
BILLIE THE BRAIN learns to read
Learn how the brain is “wired” for reading from a superstar friend!
Written by a pediatrician and expert in early literacy and brain development, this robust picture book combines simple rhyming text, lively illustrations, anatomically accurate diagrams, facts about reading milestones and practices to help children succeed.
Along the way, see benefits of families reading together, from cuddly feelings and bonding in infancy, to concepts of print, language development, learning letters, letter and word sounds and meaning, fostering imagination and empathy. Diagrams of the functional reading network, a component skills growth chart including when to worry, and links to reading groups and resources are provided at the end.
This accessible, child-centered book is perfect to for educators, pediatricians, reading advocates, parents and children to share and learn, and ideal for STEM curricula, from kindergarten through graduate school.
Some Sample Pages!
Reviews:
“Hutton’s educational picture book for young children follows Billie the Brain—yes, a literal brain, bespectacled and bubble-gum pink—as she learns how to read. The story opens with a little girl and her father as he reads her a book before bedtime. Inside the girl’s head, Billie the Brain is alert and focused, eager to explore the book through taste, smell, sound, and touch. As Billie learns more about books, new networks form in her brain—what she calls her “a-Billie-ties.” With time and repetition, Billie learns that the words and pictures tell stories, and she begins to recognize that the “squiggles on the pages” represent letters. Finally, Billie establishes the “brain network to help her read,” allowing her to unlock the power of her imagination.
Each step of Billie’s journey comes with a detailed explanation of the neurological changes taking place. When Billie begins to understand letter sounds, for instance, a diagram shows the areas of the brain involved with this process, as well as alternate ways children can master these skills through touch, song, and tactile exploration. While the story will appeal to children, the more technical information will be useful to adults as they seek to offer educational support to the young people in their lives. The book also mentions sources of reading difficulties, giving adults an idea of when a struggling child might need additional help.
Gabriella Vagnoli’s detailed, expressive illustrations show Billie as an anthropomorphic brain topped with a bow, eager to explore the world and learn as much as she can. As she begins to experience the excitement of her burgeoning imagination, she is shown immersed in various stories—riding a broom while wearing a wizard’s hat, for instance, or wearing a crown while pulling a glittering sword from a stone. Ultimately, this informational yet playful story will offer children and adults an entertaining glimpse at how literacy works in a developing brain.”
Takeaway: A cheery brain walks young readers through learning to read.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: A-
Writing and Editing: A
—Publishers Weekly Booklife
Awards:
Publication Information
List Price: $9.99
ISBN: 979-8988638292
Publication Date: Fall 2025
Format: Trade Paperback Picture Book
Dimensions: 8 x 9 inches
Page Count: 40
Ages: 3-up
Grades: Pre K-up
Series: Your Body is Amazing! Companion to Billie the Brain (2023) and Hank the Heart
Buy Billie the Brain Learns to Read!
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About the Authors:
Dr. John Hutton is a pediatrician, author and researcher at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center/Dallas Children’s Hospital. His pioneering work involves using MRI to help understand how reading and screen time impact early brain development. He is passionate about the power of books to bring grownups and children together. He is the winner of numerous awards, including Moonbeam, IPPY and Mom’s Choice Awards Gold Medals and a Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal.
About the Artist:
Gabriella Vagnoli is a Brazilian-Italian illustrator living in Seattle, WA. After obtaining a BFA in illustration from the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in 2019, she has illustrated several chapter and picture books, including Billie the Brain (Moonbeam Gold Medalist) and a 2022 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award.