Katie and her Brain


Children - Grade K-3rd
35 Pages
Reviewed on 09/17/2023
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Rose didn’t start out her career typing away on her keyboard.
After reinventing herself and her career countless times, her journey led her to Brooklyn Heights where she took some time to raise a family.

While raising 2 young kids, she attended weekend classes at the “French Culinary Institute” in New York City. She furthered her studies by attending the “Institute for Integrative Nutrition” and then The Food Studies program at “The New School.” She has also worked on several cookbooks.

Rose is a life long learner and she has many passions, but there has always been a special place in her heart for writing. After her kids left for college, she needed something that would snap her out of the empty-nest doldrums.

Remembering that uncertainty and self-doubt kept her from following her artistic passions, she was inspired to write a picture book that would empower kids of all ages to follow their dreams, and thus “Katie and her Brain” was born.

She lives in Connecticut with a brain that is working on fewer negative thoughts and a heart that is full of blessings.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever wanted to do something but stopped right before because your brain didn't allow you to? Katie and Her Brain by Rose O'Donoghue is a story about a little girl just like that. Katie and her Brain did everything together. One day, Katie decides to audition for the school musical and feels very excited at the prospect, only for Brain to remind her that she might mess things up. Filled with self-doubt, Katie goes to school and hides from her friends behind her favorite tree. Soon, she comes across a spunky squirrel who teaches Katie a lesson about following her heart. He tells her of his failed attempts to climb the tree, encouraging her to follow her dreams and give it her best shot.

Overthinking always gets in the way of doing things that you love. This is the premise of Katie and Her Brain. Author Rose O'Donoghue has crafted a fun adventure tale highlighting the pitfalls of overthinking and the self-doubt that arises from it. Sometimes, it is better to listen to one's heart. Katie is an adorable character with a vibrant spirit who readers will find easy to relate to. Illustrator Eliza Murakami's drawings complement O'Donoghue's writing perfectly and this makes for an even more immersive reading experience. This is just the kind of story to appeal to kids, filled with humor and even a sense of adventure that all children love. I really enjoyed Katie and Her Brain, and I will gladly recommend it to kids who love to read fun-filled short stories and picture books!