College Students Write Children's Guidebooks

WHAT: UC Davis students in Robert Sommer's psychology class on environmental awareness have designed, written and published campus guidebooks for children 10 years old and younger. Part of a class assignment, the books were produced by 120 students enrolled in the upper-division course. First, the students imagined what would interest children and then designed tour books that would tempt their curiosity, according to Sommer, a professor of psychology and director of the campus's Consumer Research Center. He calls the final results "sensational." WHEN: Telephone Sommer at 752-2647 to arrange a time to meet with students and view their guidebooks. The class ends March 18. WHERE: 279 Young Hall, UC Davis. COMMENTS: For the 26 years that Sommer has been teaching this course, he has challenged students with imaginative design projects. This year's project included guidebooks to campus locations like the Coffee House, the arboretum, the Equestrian Center, a student housing area and the dairy barns. The bound books are full of original art, three-dimensional graphics and text written in a style that young children understand. The books also make interesting reading. PARKING: Reporters can park in lot #11 alongside Young Hall. The parking lot is located off A Street. If coming in an unmarked media car, please leave your business card on the vehicle's dashboard, in order to park free of charge.

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Susanne Rockwell, Web and new media editor, (530) 752-2542, sgrockwell@ucdavis.edu