It was a 2015 Facebook photo posted by the co-founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg that helped Dr. Chris Ferrie’s children book gain immense popularity. In the photo, Zuckerberg and his wife are “reading” their 10-day-born daughter a book called, ‘Quantum Physics for Babies’.

While most parents are teaching their babies to say “dad” and “mum”, Zuckerberg has already started his daughter’s scientific education! Soon after this photo went viral, the Chinese version of ‘Quantum Physics for Babies’ arrived in China. Within 6 months, this book became an essential early child education book for Chinese parents.

The author, Dr. Chris Ferrie, is currently a senior lecturer at the University of Technology Sydney and Centre for Quantum Software and Information. Born in a small town in Ontario, Canada, Dr. Ferrie was always a straight-A student. After obtaining his PhD in Applied Mathematics from University of Waterloo, he was invited to work in Sydney. Dr. Ferrie’s day job includes writing for scientists and engineering physicists.

“My passion for communicating science has led from the most esoteric topics of mathematical physics to more recently writing children’s books,” said Dr. Ferrie.

Despite being only 35 years old, Dr. Ferrie is already a father of four. Spending time with his children after work is what he looks forward to everyday. On his website, Dr. Ferrie describes himself as a: “Quantum theorist by day, father by night. Occasionally moonlights as a children’s book author.”

His book’s inspiration possibly stems from his love of children. Dr. Ferrie decided to put some basic knowledge of mathematical physics into a series of children picture books, which would be easy for kids to understand.

“If parents are enthusiastic and read the books with enthusiasm like they read other books, then I think that children can understand the simple concepts in the book,” said Dr. Ferrie.

What came as a surprise to Dr. Ferrie is the popularity of ‘Quantum Physics for Babies’ amongst Chinese parents.

“I’ve heard from lots of Chinese parents and heard from kindergarten teachers and kindergarten principals, and I’ve spoken to them on Skype to the classroom full of kids. It is pretty exciting to see how excited they are about science and physic,” said Dr. Ferrie.

In order to help Chinese children better comprehend the concepts of quantum physics, Dr. Ferrie is currently working on video lectures, ‘Physics for Babies’. These lectures will be available through a live broadcasting platform, HETAO live, in China.

OZ Encounter is a video program produced by People’s Daily Online with introductions and comprehensive information on Australia’s tourism, food, leisure culture, news etc. The program brings information on beautiful views and delicious food around Australia, lead audience to experience the unique landscape and cultural glamour of Australia with micro-video. 

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