Earth Primer is an interactive science book for playful people, allowing them to discover how the Earth works through play. Defying existing genres, Earth Primer combines aspects of science books, toys, simulations and games. It is a new kind of interactive experience that joins the guided quality of a book with open-ended simulation. Its designer, Chaim Gingold, aimed to model a new genre for other designers to borrow from, helping our culture reimagine the possibilities inherent to simulations and interactive books. “A central design premise of the project is that one must become immersed within and fascinated by a subject in order to truly learn and engage with it,” writes its creator, Chaim Gingold. “Earth Primer’s dynamic, playable and interactive models of Earth share my enthusiasm for earth science in a tangible and fun form. SimCity, analogously, inspires a deep interest in cities and shares its creator’s fascination with urban planning. This is what good teachers and museums do: share and inspire a deep love for a topic.”