Synopses & Reviews
Hold onto your hats! Its windy on the Danish island of Samsø. Meet the environmentally friendly people who now proudly call their home Energy Island.At a time when most countries are producing ever-increasing amounts of CO2, the rather ordinary citizens of Samsø have accomplished something extraordinary—in just ten years they have reduced their carbon emissions by 140% and become almost completely energy independent. A narrative tale and a science book in one, this inspiring true story proves that with a little hard work and a big idea, anyone can make a huge step toward energy conservation.
Review
“Energy independence may not seem like a gripping topic for a picture book, but Drummond (Tin Lizzie) tells the story of the Danish island of Samsø so engagingly that families may find themselves considering wind turbines for their backyards.” –Publishers Weekly
Review
“The thrilling idea, the book concludes, is that Samso is ‘not very different from where you live. Your community doesn't need wind; it needs a spark, to get people to think and work together.” -- Los Angeles Times
“Energy Island opens with the power of wind captured by a pinwheel, an illustration that neatly encapsulates this remarkably accessible book about the path to energy independence on the Danish island of Samso.” -The New York Times Book Review
“In this first title in a planned series of picture books about sustainable energy, Drummond combines winsome, kinetic, ink-and-wash illustrations with a succinct, simply phrased, smoothly flowing narrative that describes how Samsø transformed itself.” -Starred, Booklist
"The illustrations further personalize the story with energy of their own as they bring Samsø and its residents to life." -Starred, School Library Journal
“The message is clear: An initially unconcerned community banded together and took steps that led to their current fame as a model of environmental action; we other residents of the island that is planet Earth can do that, too.” -Kirkus Reviews
“Energy independence may not seem like a gripping topic for a picture book, but Drummond (Tin Lizzie) tells the story of the Danish island of Samsø so engagingly that families may find themselves considering wind turbines for their backyards.” -Publishers Weekly
Review
* andquot;Lively design, clear explanations, text boxes, photographs and diagrams all contribute to an informative look at how people are working right now to find ways to use a previously inaccessible energy source.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus, starred reviewand#160;
Review
* andquot;Lively design, clear explanations, text boxes, photographs and diagrams all contribute to an informative look at how people are working right now to find ways to use a previously inaccessible energy source.andquot;
andmdash;Kirkus, starred review
andquot;Rusch fully explores the engineering process, capturing the determined, entrepreneurial spirit of the profiled engineers as well as the need for creative problem-solving and ingenuity, a test-and-retest mentality, a high tolerance for failure, and perseverance through the quest for research funding.andquot;
andmdash;Horn Book Magazine
* andquot;This pellucid look into a promising field of alternative energy (so needed in a warming world) and into the scientists devoting their lives to bring concept into reality is informative, intriguing, and inspiring.andquot;
andmdash;School Library Journal, starred review
andquot;Kids who imagine an engineering career in their future will want to explore this timely work.andquot;
andmdash;Bulletin
andquot;Rusch once again looks at the convergence of science and technology. Writing clearly about the engineersand#39; trial-and-error methods, she conveys the importance of testing, the necessity of funding, and the satisfaction of working toward a worthwhile goal.andquot; A fine choice for young people intrigued by engineering and oceanography!andquot;
andmdash;Booklist Onlineand#160;
Synopsis
From acclaimed Scientists in the Field author, Elizabeth Rusch, comes the electrifyingand#160;story of the scientists and engineers who are working to transform ocean wavesand#160;into electricity that energizes our lives.
Synopsis
Journey to the wave-battered coast of the Pacific Northwest toand#160;meet some of the engineers and scientistsand#160;working to harness the punishing force of our oceans, one of the natureand#8217;s powerful and renewable energy sources. With an array of amazingand#160;devices that cling to the bottom of the sea floor and surf on the crests of waves, these explorers are using a combination of science, imagination, and innovationand#160;to try to captureand#160;wave energyand#160;in the hopes ofand#160;someday powering our lives in a cleaner, more sustainable way.
About the Author
Author/illustrator Allan Drummond studied at the Royal College of Art. His many books include Tin Lizzie, a Green Earth Honor Book. He lives in Savannah, Georgia, where he is Chair of Illustration at the Savannah College of Art and Design.