The Digital Adventures of Ava and Chip – Self Driving Car

16^th September, 2023

Candy Jar is pleased to announce the release of The Digital Adventures of Ava and Chip: Self Driving Car a children’s book focusing on technology.

Published through Candy Jar’s award-winning partner imprint Jelly Bean Books, this book takes the reader on a journey in a self-driving car through the fictional Smart City of Digita.

In this story, Ava and Chip are back in their second adventure learning about technology. Join the duo as they interact with technology, learning about how the car works and the impact of tech upon society.

Written by TechWomen100 Award winner (2022), national leader in computing education and former teacher, Beverly Clarke, this is her second published childrens book – in The Digital Adventures of Ava and Chip series. Beverly believes that a lack of access and understanding of the digital world can affect social mobility and hopes that her stories will redress the balance. She says: “In the series I based the characters upon me and my children – a black mother and her two mixed race children. My inspiration for the character names comes from modern culture. For instance, Ava is the name of the robot in the tech film Ex-Machina, and Chip from the term “computer/microchip”. Luckily, the names Ava and Chip are amongst some of the current most popular children’s names.”

Beverly has attempted to address a gap in the market for relatable tech-based books for children, as well as the lack of picture-based tech books featuring diverse characters. Her books have been recognised by TV parenting expert – Sue Atkins and are recommended reads in #TheSueAtkinsBookClub.

The series has also recently won the Small Business Sunday Awards that were created by Dragons Den star – Theo Paphitis.

Beverly continues: “As a child I enjoyed adventure stories such as The Adventures of Tintin and devoured the entire Nancy Drew series. It would be great if children could relate to Ava and Chip it much same way. The books are designed to be educational, to encourage the reader to observe the world around them and to ask questions. They can be used by readers on their own, by a parent and child, or within a classroom setting.”

Shaun Russell, head of publishing at Candy Jar, was really excited when Beverly sent him the manuscript. He says: “It is important that children understand how technology is shaping all our lives. We need to invest in innovation, both in technology and educational teaching. Beverly is certainly well-placed to inspire children to be future, scientists, architects and designers.”

The Digital Adventures of Ava and Chip: Self-Driving Car is available in the following formats and through the outlets below: