The Journey of Jason the Frog? AI Robot to Chicago

Prof. M. K. Pour, DBA, MS, MBA is an educator, author, and publishing leader with a lifelong passion for learning and knowledge sharing. Throughout his academic career, he has been deeply committed to helping students develop strong analytical and critical thinking skills-an approach that continues to shape his work today. His professional life has been dedicated to advancing research, education, and ethical knowledge dissemination across disciplines. Over the course of his scholarly publishing career, he has authored and/or edited numerous peer-reviewed articles and books, including his forthcoming 10-volume reference work, Encyclopedia of Modern Artificial Intelligence. In addition, he has served as Editor-in-Chief or founding Editor-in-Chief of many respected academic journals, contributing significantly to the global scholarly community. Beyond his professional achievements, Prof. M. K. Pour is also a devoted father of two young children. As both a longtime professor and a parent, he understands the challenges families face in preparing children for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). While children hear about AI every day, many lack a clear, age-appropriate understanding of what it is, how it works, and how it should be used responsibly. The Journey of Jason the Frog(TM) series was created from this dual perspective-as an educator and as a parent. The books are designed to spark curiosity, strengthen intellectual independence, and encourage children to think critically while learning about geography, technology, and the real-world applications of AI. Prof. M. K. Pour believes that AI should empower children-not replace their thinking-and that true preparation for the future begins with nurturing young minds to question, explore, and learn.

Olga K. Pour, MA, MBA developed a love of reading at an early age-a passion that continues to form both her personal and professional life. As an avid traveler and lifelong learner, she firmly believes in the power of education to open doors, spark curiosity, and inspire confidence. She holds a Bachelor degree in Accounting, a Master of Arts degree in the field of linguistics, and a Master of Business Administration. Her background in finance and business management has strengthened her leadership skills and deepened the appreciation for thoughtful planning and informed decision-making qualities that are increasingly important in a world that is being transformed by artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. These experiences encouraged Mrs. Pour to look beyond her professional work and begin a new journey as a researcher and writer. Writing for young readers allows her to combine the love of learning with a desire to encourage curiosity, resilience, and humanity in children. Mrs. Pour hopes that every reader walks away with something useful-whether it is a new idea, a sense of possibility, or encouragement to keep asking questions.

Courtney Fritz, MA is an illustrator, educator, and publishing professional with a deep passion for education and lifelong learning. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Art History from Syracuse University and teaches art history at the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, where she encourages students to think critically, creatively, and inclusively about visual culture. With a background in scholarly communications and digital media, Courtney brings a thoughtful, research-informed approach to storytelling and illustration. Her work is rooted in the belief that learning should be engaging, accessible, and joyful-especially for young readers. Through her illustrations, she aims to spark curiosity, invite questions, and help children connect knowledge across subjects such as history, technology, and art. Courtney is also a proud aunt, and her love of teaching extends beyond the classroom and into family life. Watching children explore the world with wonder has inspired her to create books that make complex ideas approachable and exciting. She is especially passionate about developing educational stories that support curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning.