Why does your motivation vanish the moment you're told to 'do your homework'? A Kyoto University professor explains the 'relatable' mysteries of the child's mind in the new book 'The World of the Mysterious Mind'

Gakken Co., Ltd. (Shinagawa, Tokyo; Tatsuya Nanjo, President), a group company of Gakken Holdings Co., Ltd., released 'The World of the Mysterious Mind' (authored by Yusuke Moriguchi) on March 27, 2026.

'The moment I'm told to do my homework, my motivation suddenly disappears.'

'During class, I find myself thinking about other things.'

Many adults have likely experienced these feelings themselves.

Those mental habits we all experience—the things we 'just end up doing' or 'can't seem to stop'—are deeply connected to the mechanisms of the brain and mind. This book, written by Professor Yusuke Moriguchi of Kyoto University, gently explains these familiar and simple questions children have, based on insights from developmental psychology. With Professor Moriguchi's conversational, easy-to-read style and humorous illustrations that will make you chuckle, the book is packed with features to keep children engaged. It is filled with tips for understanding one's own mind and living each day a little more positively.

■ Survey of 100 elementary school students! Featuring all-too-real 'Why?' questions about the mind

For this book, a survey was conducted with 100 elementary school students. The all-too-real 'Why?' questions posed by current students are sure to captivate children. The book includes 30 varied questions, ranging from those adults can relate to, such as 'Why do I keep putting off things I have to do?' and 'Why do I want to see my friend's test score?', to those that highlight children's unique personalities, such as 'Is it weird that my stuffed animal is so important to me?' and 'Why do I end up dancing with my butt out in front of my parents and family?'. Each 'Why?' is explained in a concise 4 to 8-page section, allowing readers to enjoy the book whether they start from the beginning or jump to the topics that interest them most.

■ A new sensation! Professor Moriguchi's writing sparks intellectual curiosity

Some parents might think developmental psychology sounds a bit difficult. However, Professor Moriguchi's writing is easy for children to understand, using gentle, conversational language that allows them to smoothly grasp the mechanisms behind the 'why' of their minds as they read.