University Researchers Take Young Readers on a Journey Through Space, Time and Language

The project is the brainchild of Dr Naomi Nota, a postdoctoral researcher in Cognitive Science specialising in language processing (not to mention freelance illustrator) and Dr Ben Bose, a postdoctoral researcher in cosmology and tests of gravity at the University of Edinburgh and a member of the European Space Agency’s Euclid mission. 

“The Language of Time” follows Anna, a curious young girl who is whisked through time by Bob, a wandering black hole. Together, they travel back to the very beginning of the Universe, discovering surprising connections between language and cosmology along the way. From the way light carries information across the cosmos to the role of speech in shaping meaning, the story draws thoughtful parallels between two seemingly unrelated fields while making complex scientific ideas accessible to children.

“Our research and our passion for explaining it to non-specialists really inspired the book,” says Bose. “We wanted to communicate the excitement of discovery in a way that would spark curiosity in young readers.”

The story also contains subtle creative details. Anna’s appearance is intentionally designed to be visually open while using she/her pronouns, reflecting the team’s desire to encourage girls to see themselves in STEM. Bob, meanwhile, is referred to using they/them pronouns. Even the names carry meaning—both “Anna” and “Bob” are palindromes, symbolising characters that remain the same whether moving forwards or backwards through time.

Although Bose had long dreamed of writing a children’s book, the project almost never reached completion. Originally started with another collaborator in 2022 as part of his UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowship, the project stalled for more than a year due to changing circumstances. It was only after Bose discovered that Nota was also an illustrator during a chance conversation at Edinburgh’s Summerhall arts venue that the book found new life.

The pair quickly developed a collaborative creative process. Bose sketched rough layouts and wrote the dialogue, while Nota transformed the concepts into detailed illustrations. Together, they refined each page through multiple rounds of discussion, feedback and revision, often meeting in cafés across Edinburgh.

“It never felt like work,” says Bose. “Producing a book with a close friend made the whole process incredibly enjoyable.”

For Nota, the project fulfilled a long-held ambition to illustrate a book while challenging her to translate abstract scientific concepts into engaging visuals. “I learned so much about cosmology,” she says. “Before this project, I certainly didn’t know what the Cosmic Microwave Background was, let alone how to illustrate it.”

The entire project was funded through Bose’s UKRI Stephen Hawking Fellowship, which included a dedicated public engagement component. 

Their ambitions extend well beyond the initial print run. Fifty printed copies are currently being distributed to schools and libraries across Scotland, while a free digital edition is available online. The authors also hope to publish future editions more widely and translate the book into several languages, including Gaelic, Dutch, French and Maltese. Interest has already been expressed in producing a German edition.

Ultimately, however, their goal is simple.

“I’d love it if children picked up the book, became curious about the Universe, language and science, and asked more questions,” says Bose. “If we can inspire that sense of wonder, then we’ve achieved exactly what we set out to do.”

The book is available as a free download below. Hard copies can also be ordered using the same link. 

Related links

• Dr Naomi Nota
• Dr Benjamin Bose
• The Language of Time
• UKRI Stephen Hawking Postdoctoral Fellowship