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The Magic of
Nervous System A science picture book that explains how the nervous system affects other organs during the fight-or-flight response to help the body escape danger.
297 x 210 mm, Procreate, 2023.11



Inspiration


I wanted to create a popular science picture book based on the scientific knowledge I gained during my undergraduate studies. My initial topic was how microorganisms affect the food transportation industry chain.

While doing research, I came across an information chain designed by others, which I found both fascinating and scientifically valuable.

As I thought more carefully about my target audience, I decided to create a picture book for children. To make it more engaging, I wanted to incorporate storytelling elements. However, I was concerned that the topic of food might not be appealing enough to young readers, so I shifted to a new theme: the fight-or-flight response. I then expanded this concept into a narrative to make the book more dynamic and interesting.



Research


The fight-or-flight response is an automatic physiological response to an event that is perceived as stressful or frightening, in which the body's sympathetic nervous system is activated by a sudden release of hormones. These hormones cause the sympathetic nervous system to stimulate the pituitary gland and adrenal glands. This triggers the release of catecholamines.

The fight-or-flight response causes the following physical effects:

Eyes：Pupils dilate; improving vision to scan the nearby environment.

Lungs：Bronchiectasis; increased respiratory rate and the utilization of oxygen in the blood.

Heart：Increased heart rate; increased blood flow, increased oxygen and energy available to the heart

Circulation：Dilation of blood vessels serving muscles, and increased oxygen supply to skeletal muscles.

Liver：increased utilization of glucose in skeletal muscle and brain cells.

Skin：Increased blood flow to muscles and away from non-vital parts of the body.

Muscles：Muscles are tense and ready for action.



Sketches


I researched how lapbooks are made and designed the structure of my own book. The front will present the complete story, while the back of each corresponding flap will offer science content—explaining the functions of the cells featured in the narrative.

In order to make it easier for children to read, I simplified the originally complicated story flow and used the first person to tell the story. I designed the characters into geometric figures to make my popular science book more interesting.

1. I am a neuron. I realized that my master might be in danger, so we had to take emergency measures.

2. I am an iris epithelial cell. I dilated the pupils to help the optic nerve cells receive more light.

3. I get calls from nerve cells that tell me to notify other organs in my body. So I released adrenaline into the blood.

4. I am alveoli. I increased my breathing rate for more oxygen exchange.

5. I am the heart. I speed up my beat to deliver more red blood cells.

6. I am a red blood cell. I run through the blood vessels of my body to deliver more oxygen.

7. I am a muscle cell. I'm waiting for the RBC supply to make sure I have enough energy to help the owner out of danger.




Final work




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@ Annie Zhang