Paul the Planarian

Planarians are amazing creatures, and this story turns factual scientific information about them into a wild journey that ends with a valuable message for all. This STEM story is told through the eyes of a shy little planarian and follows his path from a pond to a science classroom where something unbelievable happens to him. Interesting animal concepts are introduced in an easy, fun manner and the underrepresented planarians' super powers are revealed and celebrated. It is intended for readers age four to eight but can also be used as a supplemental resource for middle and junior school science classes when covering regeneration and mitosis.

Tricia Vold has had an interest and appreciation for the natural world since she was a child, which led her to subsequently earn a M.S. in biology. She lives in Chicago, Illinois where she has been a biology teacher for over twenty years. Paul the Planarian is the first picture book she has written and illustrated. Parts of the story are centered around a common lab conducted with planarians her high school students participate in. She became inspired to create Paul the Planarian because she saw a need for this type of book to be shared beyond her classroom. She hopes Paul the Planarian will inspire curiosity about the diversity of life and foster a love for science.