To submit school announcements, click on image.
(Additional photograph below.)
People and animals perceive the world around them through the five senses—sight, sound, touch, smell and taste, but how do they work?
UMass Lowell’s Noureddine Melikechi, dean of the university’s Kennedy College of Sciences, provides the answers in a new series of children’s books, “Our Five Senses.” The books are illustrated by Ingrid Hess, associate professor of art and design in UMass Lowell’s College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. Each of the five books focuses on one of the senses. The reader tags along with a character named Assia and her dog Dingo, as they learn together.
Targeted toward children ages 3 to 8, the books share information about the senses such as how the brain receives information about the taste of food and how sound travels.
“At a young age, kids are developing their curiosity and trying to understand the world around them,” said Melikechi, an expert in optical physics. “As scientists, it is our responsibility to teach the next generation.”
“Our Five Senses” is Melikechi’s latest contribution to children’s literature. He is also the author of “How Do You See the World?” which teaches youngsters about how eyes function and the scientific reasons behind various eye conditions.
Hess is a children’s author as well as an illustrator. Her 2017 book “Mr. Magnificent’s Magical Merrimack Adventure,” takes readers on a vibrant tour of Lowell, and the city’s storied past.
“Kids’ books are a wonderful vehicle for getting all kinds of information to children,” she said. “I want these latest books to awaken children’s curiosity in both art and science.”
Melikechi echoed that sentiment. “With this collaboration between science and art, I hope kids get more curious and dig further,” he said.
UMass Lowell art and design Associate Professor Ingrid Hess is an accomplished children’s book writer and illustrator. (Courtesy photograph.)