Aku Almost Goes to the Moon, is an augmented reality coloring book. Children can color in using pencils or markers, just like any other coloring book. However, when the colored page is viewed through a smartphone or tablet camera, it comes alive with AR animations using the same colors as on the page!

The book is based on a poem by Aku Creator, Micah Johnson and illustrated by Danish Designer, Marie Thorhauge. It is a beautiful kids' book that not only captures the imaginations of children with its vibrant illustrations and animations, but also captivates them with its story and message.

AR Tracking

We had help from lots of little testers during production, using everything from crayons, pencils, markers to paints. The results were often very messy! I mean what kid likes to color inside the lines?! In this short video, our Lead Designer (Mif) explains the challenges of designing robust Image Targets for AR Tracking to withstand the whims of kids coloring books.

Try it out for yourself

Aku Coloring Book try it out

Aku Coloring Book - open spread with the dream BIG and FREE verse beside a child’s crayon drawing of Aku on a blue moon under a green Earth

Aku Coloring Book - uncoloured line-art page of Aku floating in space past a ringed planet and waving aliens on a small world

Aku Coloring Book - uncoloured page showing a rocket standing in Aku’s bedroom beneath a hanging paper moon and stars

Aku Coloring Book - pencil-coloured page of a green and pink rocket climbing past a brown asteroid and constellations

Aku Coloring Book - crayoned page of Aku’s dad in a lime jumper and blue jeans standing beside the rocket, calling him in for tea

Aku Coloring Book - uncoloured page of the rocket soaring above a row of terraced rooftops and a city skyline, a cat watching from a roof

The Book

Aku Coloring Book - two copies of the Aku Almost Goes to the Moon cover on a white table strewn with crayons and felt tips, plant pot behind

Aku Coloring Book - book propped upright on a wooden outdoor table beside a phone running the AR app and the book open at a coloured page

Aku Coloring Book - overhead flat lay of the book open on white marble, the rocket page coloured in, pencils and markers scattered around

Aku Coloring Book - close angle on the yellow spiral binding with the blank rooftops page open on a wooden slat table, a second copy behind