From Geoscience to Visual Storytelling: an Illustrated Children’s Book to Communicate Geothermal Energy

The energy transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy systems is a crucial global aspect requiring sustainable and urgent solutions directed toward the use of renewable resources, such as geothermal energy. The general public still has little knowledge of geothermal energy, despite its advantages: misconceptions about safety, environmental impacts, and technological feasibility continue to hinder its wider adoption. To overcome these challenges, timely, transparent, and easily accessible public engagement strategies are required. In this scenario, translating complex geoscientific phenomena into stories that the general public can understand is key and demands effective science communication. An efficient way to promote interest and understanding is to combine scientific content with visual storytelling and illustration.
This poster outlines the creation of “The Magical Heat of the Earth”, an illustrated book for primary school students designed to convey the concept of geothermal energy and its application as an energy resource. The book was authored, designed, and illustrated at INGV (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Italy) through ongoing collaboration between the geoscientist and the designer/illustrator. This analysis emphasises the creative and methodological processes involved in the product’s creation rather than focusing on the final outcome alone. The creative process is described as progressing from the initial scientific concept and narrative framework to visual research, character design, storyboard development, and final layout design, illustration, and typesetting. Significant focus is placed on the interaction between the scientist and the designer/illustrator, and on the balance achieved between scientific and artistic precision throughout the process. The case study indicates that using handcrafted, research-based illustrations remains an effective method for conveying scientific concepts, particularly to children. The authors reflect on simplification, the use of rhyming texts and visual metaphors, and emotional engagement as significant methods for educating individuals about science, particularly in fostering interest in geothermal energy and Earth sciences overall.