HELENA HARASTOVA’S book Our Marvelous Memory is an engaging STEM book that explores how your brain remembers (and sometimes forgets!), and why memories change as you grow. Read on for a Q&A.
What inspired you to write Our Marvelous Memory?
I’ve always been interested in psychology and how our brain works, and when I became a mother and had the opportunity to see my first child develop so quickly and marvellously, I wondered about the amazing human brain and its abilities – especially memory and imagination – almost every day. So the idea of writing such a book came to my mind very naturally.
What are memories? And what different types of memory do you explore in the book?
I like to think of memories as a crucial part of our identity. They make us who we are. They form our self-consciousness, and even influence our behaviour. They are our perceptions of everything that we have ever experienced, seen, heard or felt. You can distinguish long-term memories from short-term memories, between various sensory memories, and there are even false memories! These are all mentioned in the book.
Why do memories break down, or change, as we get older?
As we get older, our memories might break down because of illnesses, as the brain can’t work properly any more. However, some of our very distant memories can suddenly emerge again! Many old people have detailed memories of their childhood.
Are there memory habits or brain-health tips you wish more people knew at an early age?
Listen to stories, read books, tell stories! Such ordinary habits help your brain develop and be healthy.
What kind of research did you do for this book – and how did you go about making those concepts digestible and engaging for younger readers?
I read a lot of books and articles about memory and brain, and I wrote down notes. When I wasn’t sure I understood correctly, I watched educational videos on the brain’s functions. And then I tried to explain what I learned to myself, my friends and my children. Simple examples and likenings were necessary.
Was there a surprising or particularly interesting fact you uncovered while researching the book?
Personally, I was stunned by the fact that memories change all the time! They are never true and complete reproductions of reality, but we tend to believe they are. To realise that our memories are interpretations, not copies of what happened, was a huge game-changer for me.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Helena Harastova is a writer, translator, and mother. She graduated in Dramaturgy from the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts, having previously worked for the National Theatre in Brno, Czech Republic. Her most unusual pastime is proofreading texts for errors in spelling, grammar, and style.
Find out more about Helena Harastova
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Dita Vopradovais a Czech illustrator celebrated for her playful drawings that delight children and adults alike. She creates illustrations for books and educational programs, including Toinou by Robert François and A River with Loose Hair by Honza Vojtko. Known for her detailed and colourful style, Dita studied art history with a focus on medieval art at Charles University. Finding inspiration in art, architecture, nature, and her daughter Anna, she lives in Prague.
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