This picture book is for young children and adults alike. It can be read and explored together. The story is about three friends who went on an adventure down the river to build a playground. On their way they meet other animals who seem to put obstacles in their way. Read the story to discover what happens next. The story was written and illustrated by a group of individuals from different parts of the world who worked together online over 6 months. They also had the help of many other educators from around the world who generously contributed their ideas and the characters of the story also originate from their contributions. All committed to creating a socially just world where education is available to all.
Values such as sharing, collaborating and helping others are central to this mission of what is called open education and will help towards achieving the UN’s Global Sustainable
Development Goal 4, “Quality Education for All”
https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal4
Some may recognise other stories and fairytales in this story. The illustrations are a remix of details of exhibits from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, available under CC0 and new illustrations.
This project was supported by a Global OER Graduate Network (GOGN) Fellowship in 2020.
Chrissi Nerantzi @chrissinerantzi, Principal Lecturer in Academic CPD, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK; open practitioner and researcher, picture book writer and crafter. She co-authored this story with Helene, Penny, Paola, Verena and Gino. She also co-illustrated the book with Ody.
Hélène Pulker @HelenePulker, Senior Lecturer in French, The Open University, UK, open practitioner, teacher trainer, language materials developer, researcher in open and distance education, Co-author of the picture book story.
Penny Bentley @penpln doctoral student at the University of
Southern Queensland. She co-authored this story with the team.
Paola Corti @paola5373, Project Manager at METID, Politecnico di Milano (Italy) and OE Community Manager at SPARC Europe. She co-authored this story with the team.
Verena Roberts @verenanz, Adjunct Assistant Professor with the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary & Instructional Designer with Thompson Rivers University. She co-authored this book with the team.
Gino Fransman @ginofransman Academic Developer and
#OpenEdInfluencers' Project Leader at Nelson Mandela University (South Africa), OE4BW project author/ mentor and advisory board member & Open Advocacy champion. He co-authored this story with the team.
Ody Frank @ody_frank, Sixth-Form animation and game design student. Ody co-illustrated and designed the book.
Bryan Mathers @bryanmmathers Founder, Visual Thinkery. Bryan provided mentorship to the illustrators.