Faculty author mixes fantasy, fact in science book for kids

Who could have foreseen that a book written almost by accident would become a success?

Either because of a sixth sense, great timing, or combination of the two, Jill Linz, a senior teaching associate at Skidmore, is generating buzz with her new book, The Macroscope, co-written with Vassar College Professor Cindy Schwarz.

The first in a planned series, the story is a ?science fiction? book intended for children in grades 3 through 6. It is the story of two atoms: Niles (nitrogen) and Livvie (oxygen), who accidentally invent a ?macroscope,? which they use to discover the Outer World. They also discover that Penelope, a wise old proton, is being held captive by the Royal Benzenes. Niles and Livvie?s adventures begin when they free Penelope and attempt to return her to New Clayon. In the process, they discover that there is a war between the molecules and those atoms that believe in a free and gaseous state.

The book was released in June, along with an accompanying web site that features fun facts and will eventually include animation and music, designed to emphasize that atoms are never still.  Linz explains that the book is not meant to be another science textbook. It was written ?simply as a story, and is not designed to teach science, even though real-world science is woven throughout the story. The real science is on the website,? she said.

In addition to teaching physics, Linz hopes to raise awareness of science, especially among children. ?Less than one percent of the population is ever exposed to this kind of physics,? she explained. ?Even college students only take general physics, and the basic properties are generally unknown.?

The inspiration to write this book came to Linz during her college years, when she used to tutor other students by creating stories with characters. She took her story idea to Schwarz, who has written five or six books published by her publishing company, Small World Books. Schwarz teaches particle physics at Vassar, a writing-intensive course in which students are encouraged to develop their own stories related to the science being taught. The stories from her class were actually turned into Schwarz?s first book, Tales from the Subatomic Zoo.

With Schwarz?s experience and Linz?s inspiration, the two scientists decided to partner on the project, and spent two years developing and publishing the tale.  The process included assistance from family members?Schwarz?s son suggested that the macroscope be an accidental creation; and Linz?s husband, she jokes, ?pushed? her to get the book done.  Warren Gregory, Linz?s brother, illustrated the story. Small World Books is the publisher.

Now that the first book is done, the pair is collaborating on the untitled second book in the ?Adventures in Atomville? series, with a goal of developing new stories that will enhance the web site, which is being updated daily. Linz envisions the site being an interactive location for young scientists.  Her ultimate goal is to have a 3D reality game and possibly an animated series or movie located there.

Currently, Linz is spending part of the summer in Hawaii, where she works with the Hawaii Department of Education and the Creative Academies, a curriculum that encourages education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. She is also working on an arrangement with Kapiolani Community College, whose New Media Arts program is working to enhance the website and animation, as well as with Students from both Skidmore and Vassar.

For this particular scientist, who looks for entertaining ways to deliver information to new audiences, there?s no end to the fun! ~ By Kimberly Shorb, intern, Office of Communications