The Animates : Learning in Liverpool tells the story of six animal friends who crash land from space in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool) innovation district and must use science and technology to help them repair their ship and return home.

Written by local author Natalie Reeves-Billing, it has been specially commissioned by KQ Liverpool in partnership with Connected Places Catapult and is part of a major focus on inspiring and training the next generation of innovators by helping young people to understand the many innovation careers that exist in their home city.

Having been tracked by Liverpool John Moores University’s robotic telescope on their descent to Earth, The Animates are then guided on their journey around KQ Liverpool by robotic dog Splodge from the Manufacturing Technology Centre at Liverpool Science Park.

Their adventure takes in sites such as the Centre for Snakebite Research at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Materials Innovation Factory at University of Liverpool.

More than 5,000 books will be delivered to schools over the coming weeks, accompanied by bespoke, localised lesson plans which are connected to the curriculum and aim to help teachers expand on the material in classrooms.

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, said: “As we work to build a stronger city region economy, based on our strengths in health and life sciences, materials chemistry, advanced manufacturing and digital and creative industries, it’s essential that we engage local young people and help them to understand the various careers that are right on their doorstep.

“Knowledge Quarter Liverpool is home to the brightest minds conducting world-class research and making global discoveries. Their work continues to help expand the scope of our innovation district and we want to ensure that people who live here have a chance to become part of that journey and benefit from its successes for their own families.

“Our new Animates book reflects a shared commitment among all our partners to achieve that ambition of inclusive innovation. It’s a really fun way of showcasing what happens in KQ Liverpool and the feedback from children, teachers and parents has been fantastic.”

KQ Liverpool is set to expand its groundbreaking inclusive innovation skills and outreach activity over the next five years following £1.13m of Innovation Zone funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, while the rollout of the new Animates book has been supported by the Liverpool City Region Careers Hub, CBRE, Lloyds Banking Group, Keir, Morgan Sindall and Sciontec.

Mayor Steve Rotheram was on hand to deliver the first copy of the book to Neil Verdin, headteacher at Pleasant Street Primary School. 

He said: “The Liverpool City Region is at the cutting-edge of innovation, particularly in Health and Life Sciences, materials science, and emerging technologies like AI. With growing strengths in net-zero and maritime innovation, we’re cementing our reputation as a hub of creativity, progress, and opportunity.

“Transformative initiatives like our Life Sciences Innovation Zone—set to unlock £800 million in public and private investment—and our Freeport, are laying the foundations for an economy that works for everyone and is built to thrive in the future. 

“These developments are driving growth, creating high-quality jobs, and opening doors to exciting opportunities across the region.

“Inspiring the next generation is crucial to building on this momentum. That’s why, through our Careers Hub, we’ve helped provide Natalie’s brilliant new book, The Animates, to primary schools across the region. This fantastic story will spark children’s imaginations and encourage them to dream big—seeing themselves as future innovators in science, technology, and beyond.”