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Humans are awesome!

A Kid's Guide to Staying Smarter Than AI

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Pub Date Sep 01 2025 | Archive Date Aug 25 2025

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Description

This groundbreaking children's book addresses one of the most pressing educational needs of our time: preparing young learners to interact safely and confidently with artificial intelligence. Through an innovative "superhero" framework, the authors transform abstract concepts about AI into concrete, actionable lessons that resonate with elementary-age children.

Educational Framework:

The book introduces five core competencies as "superpowers":


  • Empathy ("The Feelings Detector") - Distinguishing genuine emotion from AI responses
  • Creativity ("The Imagination Machine") - Valuing original thought over AI-generated content
  • Intuition ("The Gut Feeling Guardian") - Developing digital safety instincts
  • Adaptability ("The Change Champion") - Problem-solving when technology fails
  • Ethics ("The Right-and-Wrong Radar") - Making moral choices in digital contexts


Pedagogical Strengths:

  • Age-appropriate explanations of complex AI concepts
  • Interactive elements that encourage critical thinking
  • Real-world scenarios children encounter daily
  • Discussion prompts for classroom or family use
  • Positive, empowering tone that builds confidence rather than fear


Curriculum Connections:

  • Digital citizenship standards
  • Social-emotional learning objectives
  • STEM/STEAM integration
  • Critical thinking and media literacy
  • Character education


As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in educational technology, gaming, and home devices, children need guidance that goes beyond simple "screen time" rules. This book fills a crucial gap in children's literature by addressing AI literacy directly, empowering young readers to see themselves as capable users of technology rather than passive consumers.

Recommended for: Elementary school libraries, digital literacy curricula, parent education programs, and any collection focused on preparing children for the future.

This groundbreaking children's book addresses one of the most pressing educational needs of our time: preparing young learners to interact safely and confidently with artificial intelligence. Through...


Advance Praise

‘Engaging, thought-provoking, and eminently practical, Humans Are Awesome! is a wonderful book for supporting technology education both at home and in the classroom.’

The Children's Book Review

“I highly recommend Humans are Awesome! … It’s upbeat, reassuring, and full of practical tips for raising thoughtful, confident digital citizens. … A must-have for families, schools, and libraries!.” 

Jennifer Senick - Reedsy

'Unique, original, exceptional, timely, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation, "Humans are Awesome!: A Kid's Guide to Staying Smarter Than AI" by co-authors Cal Lopez and Natalia Ulloa is nicely enhanced for young readers with the colorful illustrations of Abdel Hassam. "Humans are Awesome!" is an impressively informative and unreservedly pick for family, elementary school, middle school, and community library computer, machine learning, and AI collections.'

Jim Cox - Midwest Book Review

‘Engaging, thought-provoking, and eminently practical, Humans Are Awesome! is a wonderful book for supporting technology education both at home and in the classroom.’

The Children's Book Review

“I...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9099355938122
PRICE
PAGES 41

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Average rating from 20 members


Featured Reviews

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I read this book together with my young nieces, ages 3 and 5, as I am a bit older than the recommended age range. However, I think the girls may have been a little young for it, since they are not really in school, so AI isn't quite on their radar yet. Still, this book still gave us some very good basic talking points about why real human intelligence, creativity, and compassion are so valuable, and some ways to talk about what computers can and can't do for us. There are also some good privacy and safety tips in here for slightly older kids who might be using LLM-style AI online as well. I would absolutely recommend this book for school-age children who may be venturing online to do schoolwork.

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Loved it! It explains the risks of AI and how children can be prepared for them in a fun and engaging way. Surprisingly it introduces more concepts that what one expects in a children's book. I test reading it in two sessions with my 7 year old and she came out with understanding of what "computer brains" are.

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Engaging introduction to AI that celebrates both technology and humanity.
This book cleverly delivers a wealth of information to children growing up in a fast-changing world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Younger readers will benefit from exploring it over multiple sessions, while older children may find themselves captivated enough to read it in one sitting. The hands-on activities make complex ideas more relatable—and offer great opportunities for family learning and fun. But perhaps the most powerful aspect of the book is its message: while it highlights all the incredible things AI can do for you (not to you), it ultimately reminds readers of the irreplaceable wonder and beauty of being human.

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One of my little girl’s favourite picture books is one all about cyber security (thanks to her Dad who works in the field), so I thought she might enjoy this one!
First off, the illustrations are wonderful! I love the style of this artist. I’d love to see more of their work.
The writing was informative and interesting but could’ve benefitted from a little editing to help it flow a little better. That may be down to page locations/formatting.
The book as a whole is a great way to teach older children (perhaps 6+) about the ways technology impacts our lives and the importance of human connection. I found I also learned a few things I didn’t already know!

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This is a very timely book as I know of more schools that are beginning to introduce AI into their curriculum. The messages in this book are excellent. As a parent to a 7-year-old, it teaches exactly the concepts I want to emphasize with my child. It goes into detail about how human brains are better than computer brains and uses easily accessible language for children. It’s not an easy feat to explain such complex issues to children but this book really highlights why people are better than computers or AI into way that children can grasp.

I read this to my 7-year-old and while he liked it overall, it was a bit longer than his attention span could last. Target audience for this is probably 8-12 year olds. I’d love to see a shorter version for younger kids as well. I think it could be easily adapted to reach a broader audience. I also wish there was something in the title that told me this was about AI. As a parent looking for books about the perils of technology, there’s nothing in the title that would have tipped me to the AI component.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC. This review reflects my personal opinion.

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My sister works as a babysitter and is always looking for engaging, educational books to read with the kids she takes care of. She recently read this one with a group of children between the ages of 5 and 10 and they really enjoyed it. The story presents the concept of artificial intelligence in a fun and accessible way, making it easy for young minds to understand without feeling overwhelmed.

One of the highlights is how the book encourages kids to think critically about technology what it can do, what it can’t, and why human qualities like creativity and kindness still matter. It opened up some great conversations about decision making, problem-solving, and how technology fits into our daily lives.

This is a great resource for anyone working with children or looking to introduce important digital topics in a thoughtful and age-appropriate way.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy of this book for review.

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This was a great book for kids to understand the power they have and how computers can be great tools to use. Explaining all the cool things humans can do vs. computers is a great way to explain to children the importance of being cautious with computers.

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Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

This is a great book reminding children that even though computers are amazing, it can never be as amazing as the human brain. Going through some of the greatest inventions people have come up with up. Talking about your imagination.

Would definitely recommend this!

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As someone who didn’t grow up with AI in the classroom, I can’t imagine being a child navigating school with all this tech. This book sheds light on an incredibly important topic.. the FUTURE of learning in a world shaped by artificial intelligence. It’s thoughtful, empowering, and exactly the kind of resource kids need to develop digital instincts, emotional intelligence, and confidence in a tech-driven world. A must-read for modern classrooms! 🙌🏽

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Six Stars! Infinity!
WOW. I will be purchasing this book for my 5/6 classroom when it comes out, and I will be suggesting it to my colleagues and ALL parents. It is a perfect anchor text; not only do the graphics appeal to kids of primary and intermediate ages, but it is interactive (with questions), and the text is super engaging. (if the author and illustrator create posters, I know I would buy them) Further, it goes beyond AI and is also a great introduction to internet safety! I could see myself reading this in parts throughout a unit on internet safety and exploring AI. I will also use this book as a resource for Physical Health and Education to discuss healthy habits.

First, I love that this book does not demonize AI by asserting its rule as a tool, just like fire or an oven. Further, demonstrating how we use it all the time and can do so safely, but as with any tool, there are rules we must follow to keep up safe. I am also blown away with how well this book lays out AI in a way that is so concise; the COPYCAT is just perfection.

This book also lends to deeper conversations with more intermediate students regarding the theft of artists' intellectual property to generate AI art or AI writing.

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I think this book is great. Honestly some adults
need to read it. I do think it is for older kids and should be marketed that way.

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Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book.

This is a great book reminding children that even though computers are amazing, it can never be as amazing as our human brain. The book covers some of the great inventions of our time.

Would definitely recommend!

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Fantastic book dedicated to AI and how humans should use it. Focused on kids and I found it seriously wonderful as a 60 year old. Thank you to the authors. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

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I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

This book is an important tool in teaching kids how and when to use technology. It playfully but honestly gives advice and tips on what AI is and how it preforms in our lives. I think every parent could use this book!

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A book to empower the young reader in the light of AI. This nicely says what an AI does – copy and patch together fragments of text and image it already knows about – and then shows us how we are already steps ahead of computer brains. The text – and some pleasantly scratchy illustrations that are heavy on the visual metaphor – points out how we have instinctual feelings, empathy and so much more that can prove us superior, and are not likely to get stuck in a rut of programming when something changes, such as a new friend turns up nearby or a chair is put in our way.

The final chunk is designed to set up some ground rules, that range from never giving the Internet the kind of personal and private information you would never tell a stranger, to being the boss of when you turn off your favourite stream – which is not after 500 episodes thrust at you one after the other – to treating AI like a tool, a secondary way to be creative.

So all told the contents of this are quite varied – ranging from computer use basics and definitions to empowering messages about how we have true caring, creative minds that will never be surpassed. It is just about a jumble that works, and the way AI and LLMs are defined as tools, much like crayons or a notebook and pen, to back us up rather than control us, is refreshing and very useful to see. That aspect of this is definitely worth four stars.

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First of all, thank you to Strange Attraction Press and NetGalley for the ARC, and thank you to Cal Lopez and Natalia Ulloa for the physical copy of the book ♥️
This is a great book for children about the use of computers and AI. It puts AI into terms kids can understand. This book is a great tool to teach kids about online and AI safety and the use of AI to add to their already “amazing super powers,” not to use instead of. I love the way the book points out that there is nothing that can match our actual human brains. We are unique in every way and no computer will ever be equal. I definitely recommend this book!

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