Project Description
This project focuses on creating an engaging and educational children’s picture ebook based on the Chinese classic, Journey to the West. Aimed at children ages 2-6, the book’s design uses simplified storytelling and vivid illustrations generated by AI tools like Midjourney to introduce young readers. This project will have significant cultural narratives while developing foundational cognitive and emotional skills for kids. By adapting the story to align with developmental psychology principles, the project seeks to both entertain and support early childhood learning through culturally rich content.
One central story in the book is the famous episode of “Sun Wukong’s Rebellion in Heaven.” This narrative follows the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, who defies the heavenly order due to his dissatisfaction with the rules and hierarchy of the celestial world. The character’s journey introduces themes of bravery, responsibility, and growth in a way that is developmentally appropriate for early learners.
Using AI-generated illustrations through Midjourney, I crafted visually rich scenes that serve as scaffolding. The illustrations act as a visual support system, enhancing comprehension by allowing children to “see” the story unfold. Because kids are unfamiliar with complex vocabulary or cultural references, the pictures will give them direct information about the story. This scaffolding helps bridge cultural gaps and invites caregivers to discuss each scene, which can reinforce language development and cultural awareness.
Meanwhile, character identification and social-emotional learning is also the main topic of this project. Sun Wukong’s braveness, playful nature and his journey toward learning, such as empathy. By observing Sun Wukong’s misadventures and eventual consequences, children can identify emotions and understand basic cause-and-effect relationships and understand the traditional Chinese culture, promoting their emotional intelligence.
