• ART • MUSIC • FOOD • PHILOSOPHY • SCIENCE & NATURE • APPS & TECH • BOOKS & FILM • AND MORE! ISSUE NO 1
Get those brain cells buzzing!
THINK ABOUT
FRIENDSHIP DRAW
AN INSECT ALPHABET
READ ABOUT
MAKE
THE HOO TS
and their new band! brilliantbrainz.com
A MAGNIFYING GLASS
Hello! We are Wiz and Dom! We will pop up on the pages with fun facts and info.
Hello children, I am Professor Parrot. Write to me with your ideas about philosophy.
We’re THE HOOT S!
I’m Sing-Sing, pleased to meet you!
Toot
Honk
Children’s brains are brilliant! ck to learn. So now is We all know that children are qui are not only learning the time to make sure that they exposed to a broad literacy and numeracy, but are range of subjects. and develop skills and Brilliant Brainz aims to educate be marginalised in can t understanding in subjects tha and sport all help to schools. Art, music, food, science round out a child’s education. for primary age Philosophy may seem advanced tion will encourage children, but our philosophy sec lly about concepts kids to think creatively and critica and ideas. artistic skill - not just The art project aims to develop healthy and tasty and stick stickers - the recipe will be science activity will not full of sugar and, fear not, the items! not involve 15 different hard to find t is what Brilliant Brainz Learning should be fun and tha is all about!
p10: Philosophy
p: Music
Draw your own Insect Alphabet, and discover the work of the artist Erté.
What is Phiosophy? Find out inside...plus how important is friendship?
Everything you need to know about drumming, plus: meet The Hoots!
p18: Food & Nutrition
p22: Science & Nature
p26: Sport & Health
Welcome to the first ever issue of Brill iant Brainz! There is so muc h fun stuff for you to do inside. Do you love draw ing, cooking, read ing stories, making musi c, doing quizzes, thinking, playing spor t or telling joke s? Then read on...
Eleanor
PS We really want to know what you think about Brill iant Brainz, so plea se write to us here: hello@bri lliantbrainz.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Editor: Eleanor Cole Deputy Editor:Tom Howard Design: Sandra Perry Marketing: Kim Karman Illustrators: Rowena Aitken, Richard Hoit
p6: Art
Inside
Peep
Welcome
N OT E TO PA R E N TS
EDITORIAL
We’re the HappyClaps, Felix and Fred.
Art -Art Atelier Philosophy - Emma Leeson Music - Eleanor Cole Food - Michele Harper Science/Nature - Jenny Jacoby Sport - Wesley Forbes Health - Lucy Miller Books/Entertainment/ Apps/ Tech - Toby Starbuck
Make a super smart smoothie - yum! And learn which foods are good for your brain.
p28 Books & Entertainment
Do you love insects, bugs, quizzes and making stuff? Come right this way.
p30: Apps & Tech
P L U Sssion 5
CONTACT US
Pa a h t i W s d i K 2 3 o D s p U n w Jobs Gro petition 34 Jokes/COm
br ill ia nt br ai nz .c om
.co m he llo @ br ill ia nt br ai nz
em ai l: use, Risborough Road, Po st : L ittle Kimble Hocki nghamshire HP17 0UF Little Kimble, Bu
© Brilliant Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any parts of the contents of Brilliant Brainz without written permission is prohibited. Brilliant Brainz ISSN number 2631-6811 is published monthly by Brilliant Publishing Limited, England, company number 11069297. Send address changes to customer.support@brilliantbrainz.com or via post to the address above. BAR rate for a 1 year subscription is £39.99. Printed in the UK by Warner’s Midlands Plc.
A zillion great reasons to go swimming with all your friends, right now.
The very best stuff to read and watch this month.
Great music apps and a ‘gutsy’ new tech-y t-shirt.
AND MORE!
ART PROJECT
a
a a a a a a
a a
You c n cre te letter, n me or n entire lph bet using pictures of insects nd bugs s inspir tion!
a
a
The first ever Brillia nt Brainz art project is all about typography. Typograp hy is the art of making words and letters look great.
NSECT ALPHABET
: NEED L L I YOU W ghtly er. (Sli t shee •A r thicke best if
of pap is paper e g d i cartr ve it) yo u ha
il • Penc n ack pe l b r e n i • Finel
Is a spider an insect or a bug?
4
‘Insect et’ Alphab y by Popp ) (age 12
Answer: neither! Find out why on page 22.
Add detail onto your insect shapes using a combination of black fineliner pen and pencil. Think about the kind of detail you find on insects such as hairs, stripes, marks, veins on the wings, etc.
th’s n o m t x e N
ART PROJECT t is all abou
TREES!
2
4
Finish d insect raw ing yo u r letter, trace an d th ov e w ith y er the penc n o ur bla il lines ck fine pen. W liner hen th o ut th i e penc s is dr y, rub il lines .
Still using your pencil, draw inse ct or bug bodies aro und the letter, starting on one side of it, with the letter outline in the middle. You might like to use just one insect, or you might want to use more than one . We have use d two to create our ‘L’.
Draw an outline of your chosen letter in pencil on a piece of paper.
You could make a picture using your own name, or maybe the name of one of your best friends.
3
Continue drawing your insect shape around the letter. You might want to add legs, wings and antennae at this stage.
1
Insects and bugs come in all different shapes and sizes, so they are the perfect way to bring letters to life. There are so many types: beetles, dragonflies, ants, centipedes, wasps, bees, spiders, ladybirds, worms... to name but a few!
r se you u o t y r s T ation a imagin possible, as r much nt you e v in and ug-like own b res. creatu
ART PROJECT
5
6
ng finish the remaini to 5 1s ep st t ea Rep e. yo ur friend’s nam or n ow ur yo d tr y in ul s co yo u letter u’re feeling brave
in, or if yo Yo u co uld colo ur it alphabet! to create the whole
L NEED: YOU WI L A pencil aper A3 or A2 p k A glue stic paint ur or acrylic lo o rc te Wa es Paint brush ter A jar of wa encils p g Colourin Scissors
SEE Y OU IN
g at the rt by lookin a st d a e h yourself Get a s. And ask e e tr f o e shap ns: ing questio NOVE the follow have? MBER y e th o d s branche les? ! o y h n r a e m k c w e Ho woodp y n a t o n sp o Can you s perched e any bird Can you se hes? the branc leaves? ur are the What colo
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FEATURED ARTIST
Alphabet series:
Erté Erté was a highly creative artist with many talents. He could be described as an illustrator, a fashion designer, a stage designer, an interior architect, a sculptor, a jewellery maker, a lamp maker and much more. His work is easily Born: 1892 in St Petersburg, recognised by Russia. his elongated Died: 1990. Erte lived to shapes, stylish the grand old age of 97, his life spanning women and most of the 20th ornate patterns Century! and decoration. Pseudonym: Although his real name was Romain de Tirtoff, he used the name “Erté” as his pseudonym. This came from the french pronunciation of his initials ‘R’ and ‘T’.
A pseudo n a name a ym is p erson uses that differs fro m their real name. A nickname is a of pseudo type n Do you ha ym. ve a nickname ?
Letters from Erté’s Alphabet series at the Hermitage Museum in Russia
Erté’s Alphabet series relates to our typography Art Project on the previous page.
Erté with one of his cats
Fashion: Erté was famous for his elegant fashion designs. He also illustrated more than 250 front covers for fashion magazines like Vogue, Vanity Fair and Harper’s Bazaar.
Erté created a unique design for each letter of the alphabet. Each letter became a single poster, and was created through the shape of a dancer in costume. The project took Erté over 40 years to complete, as it started as a hobby and he was busy with his other work. When he finally finished and was ready to show these letters in an exhibition, he realised he had missed the letter “L” and had to paint it just in time for the show!
Art Deco: Erté was one of the founders
of the Art Deco period of art and design, which began in France just before World War I. Art Deco represented luxury The singer Bruno and glamour, but although it’s very Mars’ real name is Peter decorative there is a simplicity to the Gene Hernandez, and ‘Bruno colours, shapes and designs. Mars’ is his pseudonym.
Influences: Many influences can be found in his work, from Japanese woodcuts, to illustrations on ancient Greek pottery and
Signature: He had a very famous signature that can be found in much of his work. See if you can spot Erté’s signature hidden on some of his work.
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ancient Egyptian painting. Above are six images. The three larger images are Erté’s artwork. The three small er images are from Japan, ancient Greece and ancient Egypt.
Can you spot the simila rities?
A C Tany F N FU attend m ut
to s, b oved nts in Pari g in l é t r E l eve orkin socia he was w uld play when dio, he wo o inspire t his stu al music rred the c i e s f s re ats, cla and p f his two c . , m i h a any o d Tali comp amelle an Car
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& Friends
The Chapter 1:
A new band
The Hoots, Sing-Sing and the HappyClaps had decided they wanted to start a band. Peep was going to be the keyboard player and Toot fancied playing lead guitar. “I love all that loud wailing and vibrato!” Toot explained, “Plus I’ll get to play the melody – that’s the most interesting part.” “Oh, I agree!” sang Sing-Sing who was going to… well, sing … “Well, I don’t!” said Honk, “I love the rhythm – you can’t have a tune without the rhythm –that’s the most important part, that’s why I want to play the bass guitar.” “Mmm”, hmm” said the HappyClaps in unison, “Honk’s right in a way, but we think the rhythm’s not the most important part – the most important part is the beat - which is why we’re going to play the drums!” With that settled the first rehearsal got under way. What a disaster! Felix would count them in, “one, two, three, four...” and then everyone started playing - but at different tempos. Peep seemed to be pounding his keyboard way too fast, while Honk strummed the rhythm on his bass guitar much too slowly. Sing-Sing kept speeding up and then slowing down depending on who she was listening to. It was a cacophony! They tried again. Same result. “Umm, HappyClaps?” Peep said tentatively. “Yes, Peep?” they said brightly in unison. “Well, as you said before, it’s your job to keep the beat, but one of you is playing a fast beat and the other is playing a much slower beat. I’m standing near you, Felix and Honk is nearer to you, Fred, and that’s why we’re playing different tempos.” “And I can’t decide which of you is right!” exclaimed Sing-Sing, “so I keep changing - which is why I’m singing faster and then slower. You’re going to have to sort it out. We can’t get anything right without a steady beat.” “Oh hum, hurrumph” The HappyClaps looked a little embarrassed but nothing could dampen their enthusiasm for long. “Ok” said Felix, “we’ll really concentrate this time – let’s try it from the top. A one, a two, a one, two, three, four...” They all came crashing in at the same time but by the third beat of the first bar they were out of time again. They stopped. Honk, Toot, Peep and Sing-Sing all turned to look at Fred.
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MUSIC “I’m really sorry Fred” said Sing-Sing gently - because Fred was her friend and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings, “I don’t want to upset you – but I think it’s you. You’re not keeping the same beat that Felix counts us in with.” “Oh, my goodness,” said Fred looking a little embarrassed, “I’m so sorry! I think I know what the problem is. I need to count in as well – then I think we’ll have the same beat in our heads.”
Felix and Fred counted in together;
...and this time they kept to a beautiful steady beat, perfectly in time with each other.
This meant that Sing-Sing, Toot, Peep and Honk could all follow the beat and play their instruments at the correct tempo. Not too fast, not too slow. All keeping perfect time. The band sounded great! “Wow!” Said Sing-Sing, “that was pretty good! We’ll need a few more songs and a bit more practise but I think we’ve got potential.” “Yeah!” Peep peeped excitedly, “that was so cool! I loved it! It makes all my piano lessons worthwhile. But there’s just one more thing.”
“What’s that then?” asked Honk. “We need a name” said Peep. “What are we going to call ourselves?” “Oo, I know” said Toot, “What about One Connection? or ... Little Stix?” “Nooo, I don’t think we can have those...” said Sing-Sing, “I feel as if I’ve already heard those names before - or something very similar.”
“We need something new and original – and something to do with Brilliant Brainz. After all, our story is going to be in the magazine... what about...
The B ra iniacs ?””
ly total “it’s , p e Pe d. said agree l e it! l v a o l “I they And ” . e p do
T h ed En brilliantbrainz.com
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PAST AND PRESENT
MUSIC MUSIC
FOCUS ON:
DRUMS
W H A T IS A D R U M ?
Drums in orchestr s
a
The drum may be humankind’s oldest instrument. Drums made with alligator skin which date back 5000 BC have been found in China! Drumming
as communication
Africans developed a wireless communication system long before mobile phones were invented!
The Talking Drum is an hour-glass shaped drum from West Africa. When the leather cords are squeezed, it changes the pitch of the drum. The cords are held under the arm of the player and squeezed while they play. The drum can capture the pitch, volume, and rhythm of human speech. Drumming allows communication between places that are as much as 5 miles apart.
Lots of different drums are used in orchestral music, in the percussion section. Orchestral drums include the bass drum, snare and timpani. Orchestral music very rarely uses drum kits like the ones used in pop and rock bands. Percussion instruments are played by striking them, for example triangles, cymbals, xylophones and drums.
In the music world people joke about drummers not being clever, but drumming is actually a great workout for your brain. A study from the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm found that the bes t drummers were also the best at problem solving!
y at home Something tototr try using a
All pop and rock music uses drum beats. Some bands like Foo Fighters and Bastille have a real drummer, others like One Direction or Little Mix use a synthesized drum beat (which is made with a computer). A drummer in a pop or rock band will play a number of different drums that are put together with cymbals, and called a drum kit (see the picture on the right). brilliantbrainz.com
Richard Strauss was a German composer born in 1864. He composed his first piece of music when he was only 6 years old. One of Richard Strauss’s famous compositions is called Also Sprach Zarathustra which means ‘Thus spoke Zarathustra’. At the beginning of the piece there is a huge fanfare - inspired by the sunrise - which uses very loud brass and timpani (orchestral drums).
Strauss carried on writin g music until his de ath aged 85 – so he was writing music fo r 79 years!
It is truly awesome! And quite famous, partly because it was used in the opening sequence of a film called 2001: A Space Odyssey.
If you want at and making synthesized drum be a great app ’s re some music, the (See our called ge 30 for pa on Apps & Tech section ) ion at m more infor
GA RA GE BA ND
b r il li a n tb r a in z. c o m
fanfare from 2001: If you’d like to hear the r resources page to ou A Space Odyssey go and click the link. om .c inz ra tb an illi at br your mind’s eye when What can you see in l? does it make you fee you listen to it? How
Drummi ng for a Brilliant Br ai n!
Drums in pop music
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Richard Strauss
Dave Grohl drumming with the Sound City Players
Dave Grohl Dave Grohl is a famous rock musician. He is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer, and also a very famous drummer. He was the drummer for a rock band called Nirvana. ry famous Nirvana were ve they k a grown up if in the 1990s. As ight play m ey th , a. If they do an irv N r be em r resources rem usic! Or go to ou m r ei th of e m you so Grohl link to k on the Dave ic cl d an ge pa the drums. hear him play
Nowadays, Dave Grohl is in a band called the Foo Fighters. He is the frontman, which means he’s the singer. He also writes most of their songs. He doesn’t often play the drums in the Foo Fighters, but he does sometimes play them in other bands like Queens of the Stone Age or Them Crooked Vultures.
brilliantbrainz.com
hl Dave Gro o Fo in the Fighters
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FOOD & NUTRITION
SUPER SMART
S M O OT H I E INGREDIENTS: • A banana • 70g blueberrie
s
• 70g strawberr ies • Half a ripe avo ca do • 20g walnuts (n ut allergy sufferers can lea ve these o ut) • Two tbsp Gre ek yoghurt (for non- dair y use va nilla flavo ur soya yogurt) • 1 tsp chia see ds • 125ml almon d milk (try coconut or soya milk if yo u prefer) • A han dful of ic e
WHAT TO DO: Cut the avoca do in half lengthways, using the tip of a sharp knife. You should be able to feel the pit (the big seed/ stone) in the middle of the avoca do (ask an adult to help you do this).
2
•
N
E TO BRA T T O I N Always ask permission from an adult before you start cooking, there are sharp and hot things in a kitchen. so take care.
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7 Pou
full of good
essential fats.
ana an d yo ur ban blen der. he a dd to t
Add yo ur blueb erries an d strawberries, w alnuts, chia see ds an d yog hurt.
r in the almon d milk an d throw in so me ice.
Walnuts: a source of alpha-linolenic acid – ALA for short. ALAs help your brain cells communicate with each other. Chia seeds: the Aztecs, ancient Greeks and Apache warriors used them for energy while on quests. Like walnuts they contain ALA, and are also high in plant based proteins - for total brain domination!
Avocado: a fruit with a creamy texture, Greek yoghurt:
5 Peel and slice up 6
Bananas: full of good stuff like serotonin and tryptophan which help to keep your mood balanced and your thinking positive. They also contain potassium, this helps provide a good blood supply to the brain, improving your memory and letting you think for longer without getting tired.
that’s full of good fats.Your brain is 60% fat so you need to keep it well stocked.
Use a tablespoon to scoop out the flesh of one half of your avocado and add to your blender.
rp ing board Sha p p o h C • r e d n le B on • Teaspo on knife • Tablespo ’S IMPORT AN
the bla d lp, he knife to pit o ut pull the ca do. vo of the a
4
•
EF CH
3 Now, usine gof the
Once yo u have cut all the way ro un d the avocado. tw ist the tw o halves an d pull them apart.
EQUI PMENT:
g,
e i h t o o m S o r e H r e p Su food facts Cha
1
n i z z u b n i a r b rt-topping,
Almond milk: high in Vitamin E, which slows down the ageing of brain cells and so helps to improve your memory.
Blueberries: packed full of things called antioxidants.These are the ‘good guys’ that help zap the free radicals who are the ‘bad guys’ that try and make us sick.The good guys help to keep you fit and healthy, boosting your memory by clearing away those naughty free radicals! Strawberries: packed full of those wonderful ‘good guy’ antioxidants. A few of these in your lunch box can help to regulate your blood sugar levels, keeping you bright as a button in the afternoon.
8 Plug the blender in before using. Now blitz! Don’t forget to put the lid on
the blender unless you have an urge to redecorate the kitchen!
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FOOD & NUTRITION FOOD & NUTRITION
T H G U O H T R F D FO O It’s a proven fact that healthy foods can make you smarter, so try filling your brain with some of these...
Y R A M E S O R
rved with A lovely herb usually se u have a lamb or potatoes. If yo and you spelling test coming up kward want help with some aw mary words, try sniffing rose n improve research suggests it ca a go! your memory. Give it
FISH WITH OMEG AS
FUN
p f r r n v
b r o c c o
l i o i a y
m e t w v a
x t s y k u
g a d h x b
o k e a h r
o w c s c o
h m m c l n
WORDS TO SEARCH FOR:
d c e k r a
a w a o u o
beetroot
r e y t e n
n i r s l m
d a e a u r
d i y r b l
flaxseed
z e i t l k
e o p b y a
mackerel
b v r s d b
m l a s m s
salmon
o y g g e f
spinach
t s f t e o
ot:
o Beetr
Broccoli:
Egg yolks: Rich in choline, and omegas 3 and 6.
A very good brain food th at contains cho line to help improve me mory, and v itam K for all cog nitive functio in ns (attention, la nguage, mem ory).
broccoli eggyolk
rosemary
tuna
Spinach: Flax seeds:
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, Grab an apple plum o rang e and a (o r three o rang e s) and
s x u f o o
kerel, anchovies, tuna ac m , on lm sa l, oi er liv Cod n a r t k l all full of omegas e ar h fis te hi w d an d) (not tinne are keep our brains (which lp he at th ts fa l ia nt se s t o x j o - es lled ain a special omega ca nt co so al ey Th y. th al 60% fat) he loads of this in our ve ha e W . A) H (D id ac c docosahexoenai t as our all round our body, bu lls ce in d an , es ey d t it! brains an storing it, we need to ea at od go t no e ar es di bo
the flow to n you d o o l b he Boosts specially w e . brain etroot juice e drink b
ACTIVITY
One of the oldest crops , flax was originally used for wrapping mummies or making clothing. The seeds are high in plant omegas (AHAs).
Can keep your brain r buzzing as it, and othe ains leafy green veg, cont and ne folate, beta carote t for vitamin K - all brillian ain regenerating your br cells and helping your cognitive functions.
. s tart jug g l ing
ise s Jug g ling exerc ing it the brain, mak and, stro ng er, fitter of co u rse, mo re clever!
a g o! e v a h , n Go o
Good to eat in
OCTOBER Apples: can help improve your
memory. Why do apples float? Becaus e 25% of an apple is made up of air.
Blackberries: get picking and freeze a delicious winter fruit. What’s your favourite – blackberry and app le pie, blackberry jam or blackberry and apple crumble? Yum yum! Pears/plums/redcurrants / raspberries/blueberries Squash:
very yummy roasted in olive oil, rosemary and feta
Kale/leeks/cauliflower/ carrots
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