So You Want To Be A Psychologist (So You Want To Be A...)
About
The human mind is the most fascinating puzzle there is — and this is the book for the kid who can’t stop asking why.
Why does your loudest friend clam up the second a teacher calls her name? Why can you remember a silly song from years ago but not what you ate for lunch? Why do people yawn the instant they see someone else do it? If questions like these tug at you, you might already be a little bit of a psychologist.
So You Want To Be A Psychologist is a smart, warm, beautifully illustrated introduction to the real science of the mind — not the myth. It won’t pretend psychology is mind-reading, or just couches and “how does that make you feel?” Instead, it shows young readers what psychologists actually do: ask a careful question about how people think, feel, learn, and behave, then go find the honest answer with evidence.
Part scientist, part detective, a psychologist studies everything from memory and fear to how babies learn, how juries decide, how athletes stay calm, and how one class of kids learns to read faster than the class next door. This book takes readers behind the scenes of it all — and treats them as the curious, capable future professionals they might become.
Inside this book, curious readers will discover:
- What psychologists really do all day — from running experiments to helping real families
- The surprising places psychology hides: schools, hospitals, courtrooms, sports fields, video games, even car dashboards and crosswalks
- True stories of trailblazing psychologists, including Jean Piaget, Mary Ainsworth, Kenneth and Mamie Clark, and Martha Bernal
- Jaw-dropping fun facts: why you can’t tickle yourself, how rats laugh, the famous “invisible gorilla” experiment, and the marshmallow test
- An honest look at the hard parts — the patience, the uncertainty, and the courage it takes to be wrong and say so
- A day in the life, a kid-friendly glossary, and simple experiments to try right now
Honest about the challenges and glowing with the wonder of the work, this is a career book that respects a child’s intelligence — and a conversation-starter parents and teachers will love reading alongside them.
Perfect for: curious and gifted readers ages 10–14 (and a wonderful read-aloud from age 8); fans of STEM and brain-science books; kids fascinated by human behavior, feelings, and how the mind works; and anyone who loves nonfiction that reads like an invitation, not a lecture.
From the award-winning So You Want To Be A… series — honest, inspiring career guides built on one big idea: every grown-up job started as a kid’s curiosity.
Which mind will they set out to understand? Add So You Want To Be A Psychologist to your cart today.
Praise for this book
"Do you ever wonder why people think what they think? Why do they do things that often make no sense at all? In Linda Soules’ So You Want To Be A Psychologist, you will discover a lot of interesting facts about people who study the minds of others. Do you know what these people are called? Psychologists. And their work is part scientific thinking, a vivid curiosity about how the mind works, and a genuine care for the person they’re studying. That requires a lot of inventiveness and a considerable amount of both precision and patience. It also requires years of study, not just of potential patients, but academically as well. But if you’re interested in the mind, perhaps this job is the right fit for you.
Linda Soules’ children’s book, So You Want To Be A Psychologist, is a fascinating read whether you have an inclination to study the science of the mind, or you just want to further understand it for personal reasons. Like the other books in the “So You Want to Be” series, this book won’t disappoint. There’s a lot of interesting information packed into this beautifully illustrated book. As well as the basic facts behind the science, the author presents real-life stories of psychologists who have made a major contribution to the study of the human mind. These stories include psychologists like Jean Piaget, Mary Ainsworth, Kenneth and Mamie Clark, and Martha Bernal. I found it interesting that the author presents the work of a psychologist as being one who is part scientist and part detective. Once again, the author has presented a comprehensive, educational, but also entertaining read."
"Linda Soules’ So You Want To Be A Psychologist is an engaging introduction to the science of human thought and behavior. Written for children who are always asking 'why,' the book explains that psychology is not mind-reading or simply talking to patients on a couch. Psychologists are part scientists and part detectives: they ask careful questions, observe people, conduct experiments, and use evidence to understand how humans think, feel, learn, remember, and make decisions.
I love how this book has a way of making complicated ideas clear without talking down to young readers. Soules uses familiar questions, surprising facts, and hands-on activities to bring psychology to life. Readers can try the Stroop effect, test whether yawning is contagious, and experience the floating-finger illusion without needing special equipment. The book also challenges popular myths, such as the claim that people use only ten percent of their brains or that venting anger always makes them feel better. These examples encourage children to question extraordinary claims and search for reliable evidence.
The book also shows how widely psychology is used beyond counseling offices. Psychologists work in schools, hospitals, courtrooms, sports facilities, laboratories, video-game companies, and even in the design of cars and crosswalks. Inspiring accounts of influential psychologists, including Jean Piaget, Mary Ainsworth, Kenneth and Mamie Clark, Martha Bernal, and Ivan Pavlov, demonstrate how psychological research has changed both science and society. A day-in-the-life section, glossary, career information, and suggestions for further study help readers understand the education, patience, precision, creativity, and compassion required to enter the profession.
So You Want To Be A Psychologist is an informative, entertaining, and beautifully illustrated career guide that respects children’s intelligence. It honestly discusses both the excitement and the challenges of psychological research while encouraging curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy. The book is especially well suited for readers ages ten to fourteen, although younger children and adults can also enjoy reading it together. It would be a valuable addition to classrooms, school libraries, homeschool collections, and family bookshelves, particularly for any child fascinated by the human mind and determined to discover why people behave the way they do."
"Curious about the responsibilities of a psychologist and how the average person could use these skills in daily life, I read So You Want To Be A Psychologist: A Kids' Guide to Psychology… from cover to cover. I concluded that even though adults and children will treasure this book for a lifetime. The quality illustrations invite a warm feeling of curling up by a fire place with a cup of hot cocoa. I love how a day in the life of a psychologist is etched out like a log in the schedule. It paints a positive experience with loving a career revolving around people watching and analyzing the way the world works.
I love how it is informative about where psychologists work outside of counseling. The author touches the career and influence of scientist, Ivan Pavlov. I never would have imagined the bit about math being apart of this insightful detail. I have studied psychology, analyzed people and loved testing the field with my own experiments.
The grammar and punctuation is appropriate and well written for the age group that the author targets, however I highly recommend it to dreamers, home schoolers, librarians and book collectors. The research around this field is easily explained so that is does not scare away the average joe with college like terms. Those who seek wisdom and knowledge about how society runs smoothly should add this book to their library."
"Not only are the pictures captivating and detailed, the book has fun facts and also information about the pioneers in the field. There is so much information broken down into categories that makes it very easy to follow. Definitely recommend for small readers and even up to those age groups deciding their future career path!"
"I have read several of these books. I seem to learn something new about each profession that I didn't know was a thing. These books are written in a way that kids AND adults can really understand. They also take a deep dive into each profession. Love these books!"
"Amazing. So much great information for a teen trying to decide what path to take in school. I was very impressed with the detail."
"I love that this book included more of what psychologists do and gave other examples besides therapy. This book also explained the difference between the types of psychologists and about psychiatrists and cleared up any misconceptions."
"Good overview of what it takes to become a psychologist. Aimed towards children around 10. In depth information about education, as well positives and negatives of the job."
"This book (along with Linda Soules' other published Kids' Guides) create such a helpful M-A-S-T-E-R-P-I-E-C-E that's suitable for any CURIOUS CHILD."
"A well written explanation of the work of Psychologist. It explains how they study the mind and behavior to help people understand themselves better. A read for all ages."
"So You Want To Be A Psychologist is an exceptional book that introduces young readers to the fascinating world of psychology in an engaging, thoughtful, and age-appropriate way. Rather than relying on common stereotypes about psychologists, this book explains the real science behind understanding how people think, feel, learn, and behave.
What impressed me most was how much respect the author shows for young readers. Complex ideas are explained clearly without talking down to the audience, making this an excellent choice for curious kids who love asking "why?" The book explores a wide variety of topics—from memory and emotions to learning, decision-making, and human behavior—while demonstrating how psychologists use observation, research, and evidence to answer important questions.
The real-life stories of influential psychologists add depth and inspiration, showing how their discoveries have shaped our understanding of the human mind. I also appreciated the inclusion of fun experiments, surprising facts, and everyday examples that help readers connect psychological concepts to their own lives. Learning why people can't tickle themselves, how the invisible gorilla experiment fooled so many participants, or how psychology influences schools, sports, hospitals, and even road safety makes the subject come alive.
The illustrations and accessible writing keep the material engaging from beginning to end, while the honest discussion of the challenges psychologists face reinforces that science is built on curiosity, patience, and a willingness to keep learning.
This book would be an outstanding addition to classrooms, school libraries, homeschool collections, or any family bookshelf. It's perfect for children ages 10–14 who are interested in science, human behavior, or future careers, but it's also enjoyable for adults reading alongside them.
Overall, this is an informative, inspiring, and wonderfully written guide that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and empathy. It leaves readers with a greater appreciation for the complexity of the human mind and the important work psychologists do every day. Highly recommended!"