We recently reached out to O. K. Pour, President and Editorial Director of e-Robotic Press, who has graciously agreed to answer questions regarding the company's newest book series The Journey of Jason the FrogTM. O. K. Pour has been a leader within the scientific publishing world for many years and is now beginning a new chapter of her professional career as a researcher and writer for educational children’s books.
Read O. K. Pour’s motivations for creating this one-of-a-kind book series that takes a proactive approach in introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to children.
Q: What inspired you to help create The Journey of Jason the Frog™ book series, and why did you feel it was important to introduce topics like AI to children?
A: The inspiration came from several aspects of my life: my professional experience as a Chief Strategy Officer at a scientific publishing house, my own continuous learning mindset, and my life as a parent watching how early my children began interacting with technology and even discussing AI among themselves.
I realized that children are growing up surrounded by AI‑driven or soon‑to‑be AI‑driven technologies, yet their understanding of them is often framed by mystery or fantasy. Jason the Frog was born from the idea that complex concepts don’t have to be intimidating or abstract.
In The Journey of Jason the FrogTM, young readers follow a curious robot frog who learns through machine learning and needs large amounts of data to train his AI. Max, the creator’s son and Jason the Frog’s best friend, takes him on different adventures where they explore cities, landmarks, animals, and geography. Along the way, we include carefully curated AI notes and Future of AI sidebars to introduce AI technology at present and in its future applications. This approach gives children an understanding that AI is a tool designed by people, so they can feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.
Q: As both an author and a parent, what do you believe children need most when learning about technology and AI today?
A: Above all, children need context and a safe space to ask questions. Research shows that understanding develops best when new information is connected to real‑world storytelling. From a parent’s perspective, I also see how quickly children lose interest when a story fails to fully capture their attention. Blending a nonfiction narrative with just a touch of age‑appropriate descriptions of technology creates a kind of combination that keeps children engaged and curious.
Young children don’t need technical depth; they need a simple, foundational understanding of what technology can do, what it cannot do, and why humans must remain responsible for the choices behind it. To reinforce this sense of human control and accountability, each book includes both a warning note and an inspiration note. This approach is especially important when introducing AI, as children should be reminded that creativity, empathy, and judgment are uniquely human qualities and that technology is most effective when guided by these traits.
Lastly, AI is not a passing trend. Despite some skepticism or denial, AI is here to stay, and it will become an integral part of our children’s lives. Preparing them with understanding and ethical awareness is not an option, it is a necessity.
Q: The books encourage curiosity and critical thinking. How can parents and educators use stories like Jason the Frog to help children ask better questions about the world around them?
A: The stories of Jason the Frog create a safe space for learning, not only in the field of technology, but also across subjects such as domestic and international travel, biology, archaeology, and space exploration (with many more topics to come!). When children follow a character like Jason the Frog, they naturally begin to understand that the world is a big place, and that it takes many different kinds of people and technology to make it function.
To support this learning, we have developed free supplemental materials for parents and educators that offer guidance on how to use The Journey of Jason the FrogTM at home or in classroom settings. Both parents and teachers are encouraged to pause during or after the story to ask open‑ended questions, such as:
- What do you think would happen if the technology worked differently?
- Why is the city we are reading about called “XYZ?” How does the book show how the city’s past and present exist together today?
- How do food, celebrations, or sports help people feel connected to the city?
These discussions don’t require right or wrong answers. Their purpose is to help children think critically about what they are reading by questioning assumptions, considering alternatives, and making connections across different subjects.
Q: What is one misconception about AI that you think is especially important to clarify for young learners?
A: In my opinion, one of the most important misconceptions to address is the idea that AI “thinks” or “decides” independently like a human. AI is not capable of these skills, at least not yet, if ever. For young learners, it is crucial to understand that AI doesn’t have emotions, intentions, or morals. It doesn’t “know” things the way people do, it follows instructions and patterns created by humans. When this distinction isn’t clear, children overestimate AI’s abilities and underestimate human responsibility. By clarifying that people design, train, and guide AI systems, we help children understand accountability and ethics. They learn that technology reflects human choices and that those choices matter.
Q: What do you hope readers take away from reading this book series, not just about AI, geography, or animals, but about learning itself?
A: Across our books, we touch on many topics including conservation of landmarks and endangered animal species, emerging careers that do not yet exist, and the evolving relationship between people, technology, and the planet to reinforce the idea that the future is not something to fear, but something to embrace. More than anything, I hope young readers take away the idea that learning is an ongoing journey, not a final destination. Whether they are learning about AI, geography, or a completely different subject, the habit of curiosity will serve them for life. I also hope they come away with confidence that big ideas are accessible, that learning is a privilege, and that each of them have a role to play in shaping the future of the world.
Give Your Child a Head Start: Meet The Journey of Jason the Frog™
If you’re looking for a fun, educational way to introduce your child to AI, global cultures, and the world around them, we invite you to explore The Journey of Jason the Frog™ series.
Jason the Frog, an AI-powered robot frog, and his best friend Max travel across the globe, exploring famous landmarks, foods, traditions, and historical events. Each book includes:
- Kid-friendly AI concepts
- Geography, culture, and history
- Interactive activities, quizzes, and definitions
- “Did You Know?” facts to spark curiosity
- Engaging adventures that encourage a love of learning
It’s the perfect combination of fun storytelling and future-ready education.
Give your child the gift of curiosity, confidence, and global awareness. Purchase The Journey of Jason the Frog™ books today!
Bibliography
https://www.unicef.org/jordan/stories/power-storytelling-early-education
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/digital-parenting/how-approach-ai-children
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/edcast/24/10/impact-ai-childrens-development
https://www.stephaniekirmer.com/writing/talkingtokidsaboutai/
https://www.e-roboticpress.com/blog/teaching-kids-about-ai-without-screens
https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/how-telling-stories-helps-kids-learn
https://www.idtech.com/blog/how-kids-are-building-the-future-with-ai
https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/stories/future-artificial-intelligence