Mind Fuel for Young Explorers, by Bear Grylls and Will Van Der Hart  

'A brilliant tool to aid our young people as they navigate our changing modern world, non-preachy yet shot through with Christian wisdom'

Mind Fuel for Young Explorers                                                                   
By Bear Grylls and Will Van Der Hart
Hodder & Stoughton
ISBN No: 978 1 399 80674 9
Reviewed by Moira Kleissner

 
Our children and young people today are faced with and having to dealing with pressures that none of us will have experienced at their age. The world is now a confusing place to navigate post-Covid: trying to catch up in education after missing so much with shut-downs/home schooling; the media and technology demanding more and more time; pressure from friends and phone influencers continually on tap.

This is just to name a few of the pressures we, when we were children, could not have envisaged. Our children need tools for resilience to survive, understanding themselves, thoughts, feelings and actions. 'Trust in God and everything will be OK' will not suffice. This book is a brilliant tool to aid our young people as they navigate our changing modern world.
 
The aimed age-range is 10-14 year olds. I would suggest it might be more relevant to boys, but some girls will also find it useful (if I was this age, I would have loved it). It provides reflective activities and encouragement that build up mental resilience and a positive mindset preparing them for the society that children of this age will encounter today.

This is not a preachy diatribe, but down to earth practical ideas, that encourages caring for self and others. Although aimed at 10-14 year olds, some of the activities could also be done with adults, in a small group, or as part of individual reflective practice.
 
The strap line: 'Simple ways to build mental resilience' gives an idea of what is inside. Topics covered are: Motivation, Wisdom, Battles, Courage, Self-care, Relationships, Determination. These sections are broken down into bite sized pieces with short stories, simple activities and helpful ideas to develop thoughtful and achievable goal setting.

Mind Fuel doesn’t preach, but is shot through with Christian wisdom. It would be useful for any young person within the age range, whether Christian or not.
 
The authors are Bear Grylls who as a Christian and experienced adventurer and leader with children of this age range, and Will Van Der hart a well-being coach, author, vicar and co-director of The Mind and Soul Foundation.
 
I think every youth leader, parent/grandparent/uncle and aunt with children in the 10 -14 age range should look at this book and consider gifting it to a young person.  A much needed volume with children and their well-being at the centre.
  

Moira Kleissner is a retired Primary Deputy Head, storyteller, trainer and minister’s wife