This Book is Cute

The Soft and Squishy Science and Culture of Aww

Look inside
Ever wonder why some creatures just make you want to cuddle them? Join us in the science lab to ooh and aah over adorable animals and discover why CUTE is just so darn irresistible!

Those adorable big eyes. Those floppy ears! And that soft velvety fur. Welcome to the soft and squishy science of cute! In this book, we'll take a look at what actually makes something "cute," what happens inside our brains when we see something cute, and why we're biologically hardwired that way. We'll also explore why some brands, products, and characters have been such sensational hits through the ages.

Get ready for cute overload as we look at lots of awww-dorable images to explore why babies, puppies, and other small fluffy animals with round faces and big eyes are universally adored (and why others are less so). Flynn explains the psychology and physiology behind our responses and answers questions, such as What influence does our culture or environment have on our conceptions of cute? We'll also take an up-close look at crazes today, from the indisputably cutest animals ever to Internet sensations. Let the squealing commence!
SARAH WASSNER FLYNN is a longtime writer for National Geographic Kids, including books in the blockbuster hit Weird But True! series, and the award-winning This Book Stinks (winner of the 2017 NSTA award for Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students and the 2018 AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books), among others. She loves writing, running, and triathlons. When she's not writing about races, she's usually training or competing in one.

About

Ever wonder why some creatures just make you want to cuddle them? Join us in the science lab to ooh and aah over adorable animals and discover why CUTE is just so darn irresistible!

Those adorable big eyes. Those floppy ears! And that soft velvety fur. Welcome to the soft and squishy science of cute! In this book, we'll take a look at what actually makes something "cute," what happens inside our brains when we see something cute, and why we're biologically hardwired that way. We'll also explore why some brands, products, and characters have been such sensational hits through the ages.

Get ready for cute overload as we look at lots of awww-dorable images to explore why babies, puppies, and other small fluffy animals with round faces and big eyes are universally adored (and why others are less so). Flynn explains the psychology and physiology behind our responses and answers questions, such as What influence does our culture or environment have on our conceptions of cute? We'll also take an up-close look at crazes today, from the indisputably cutest animals ever to Internet sensations. Let the squealing commence!

Author

SARAH WASSNER FLYNN is a longtime writer for National Geographic Kids, including books in the blockbuster hit Weird But True! series, and the award-winning This Book Stinks (winner of the 2017 NSTA award for Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students and the 2018 AAAS Prize for Excellence in Science Books), among others. She loves writing, running, and triathlons. When she's not writing about races, she's usually training or competing in one.

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