Science adventure for children: Michael Bonitz's book conquers the market!

Science adventure for children: Michael Bonitz's book conquers the market!

On August 5, 2025, Michael Bonitz, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, published the first volume of his children's book series “Adventures in Space”. The title of the book is “The Green Planet” and is aimed at young readers aged ten and over. The story takes place in the year 2065 and follows siblings Lisa and Oskar as they travel to a green planet in a fast spaceship.

On this planet they meet two intelligent species who are involved in a conflict for dominance. But Lisa and Oskar are committed to finding a peaceful solution and end up caught between the two fronts. With this story, Bonitz wants to inspire children about science and science-based science fiction. The theory of relativity plays a crucial role in the plot, highlighting the connection between science and fantasy.

From the first idea to publication

Bonitz, who has published over 400 specialist articles and received multiple awards, uses these books to provide an insight into his passion for science fiction and his expertise in theoretical physics. The journal Contributions to Plasma Physics even dedicates a special issue to him. In addition to his scientific career, Bonitz is also a grandfather of three and enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.

The importance of science in children's books

Bonitz's current publication follows a tradition that dates back to the 19th century, when many children's books treated scientific topics in imaginative ways. Works such as “Alice in Wonderland” and “Tom Sawyer” are widely known, while lesser-known Victorian books, for example, combined science with fiction. Titles like “In the sky-garden” (1877) and “The fairy-land of Science” (1888) show how knowledge can be prepared in a way that is suitable for children.

In today's book landscape, there is a separate segment for scientific children's and picture books, supported by initiatives such as the Royal Society's "Young People's Book Prize" or the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA's) "Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students". The target group remains clearly defined: children.

The process of creating a book requires careful planning and creativity. From brainstorming ideas to obtaining proposals from authors and illustrators to marketing strategies - every step is crucial. To finance production, some authors even consider crowdfunding campaigns.

At a time when many children like to read or have books read to them, the search for good picture books or children's books remains of great importance. Such books not only leave lasting memories, but can also stimulate interest in science and technology, which ultimately benefits the future of education.

For further information about scientific children's book projects and their relevance today, the Science Communication page refers to notable trends in this area. University of Kiel and IDW Online also provide background information on Michael Bonitz's motifs and creative process.