This project is an original 20-page children’s book that guides children in learning about the planets that make up our Solar System. This book functions more like an illustrated learning tool for parents, helping them to more easily teach and engage their children topics related to astronomy and co-operation within a group. The book’s illustrations are digitally illustrated and incorporate three-dimensional elements.

To develop the book, I researched what children find entertaining to learn from. Building on evidence from a study done by Dr. Matthew Shaw¹ that shows how children view animals that are presented to them in literature as a way to connect with the material, I decided to use kittens as central characters in the book. In the book, the three kittens decide to take a journey through outer space to learn about the planets. The children should learn the name of the planets and a few facts that the kittens talk about when discussing each. The illustrations are visual representations of the planets and of the co-operation the between the kittens in getting them from one planet to another.

1. Shaw, Dr. Matthew. Animal Tales. 2015. https://www.bl.uk/animal-tales/articles/childrens-animal-tales