When the Wind Blows

by Stacy P. Clark

The wind shapes clouds and makes kites soar—but it can also light cities, power railroads, and make factories hum to life.

Introduce young readers to the enormous potential of wind energy, and learn how the same force that flies kites and makes ocean waves can power the human world in this celebration of renewable energy.

Stacy Clark's rhyming, lyrical text explains in simple terms how turbines harness wind energy and turn it into electricity. Sweeping landscape paintings by Brad Sneed illustrate the journey, from offshore wind farms to power lines stretching across the country, bringing electricity to homes, factories, and more.

Inspire readers to imagine all the things the wind can do!

Perfect for eco-conscious readers and kids intrigued by how things work, this poetic nonfiction picture book has been vetted by an expert.

Genres: Picture Books, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction, Nature, Poetry

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

I'm an environmental writer and teacher who researches and reports on clean energy developments.

"Planet Power: Explore the World's Renewable Energy," is my second children’s book. With lyrical, rhyming verses and vibrant images created by Annalisa Beghelli, this book is an exciting, hopeful introduction to the world of clean energy. In vivid, double-page spreads, readers travel to six countries where renewable energy technologies are at work today.

For older readers, detailed notes for each energy technology provide key highlights for elementary to lower middle-schoolers, expanding the science, technology and research experience for advancing readers.

This journey begins in Paraguay, where the flow of rushing river water though the Itaipu Dam powers generators to produce clean electricity for the country. Paraguay is fortunate to derive 100% of their electricity needs from renewable energy sources.

Next up is India, where readers see solar power at work. The vibrancy of villages located near the Pavagada Solar farm in southwestern India is palpable, as distant electric trains pass by colorful local markets and sunflower fields. Pavagada is just one of many new solar farms in the country.

Turning to the next page, the splendor of windmills in northern China is revealed. The world’s longest electrical power transmission line, the 2,000 mile long ‘Changji-Guaquan’ power project, is underway to deliver electricity from northern China to the densely populated eastern cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, where demand for clean energy continues to grow.

In the United States, readers witness tidal turbines spinning below the surface of New York City's East River. These turbines, installed by Verdant Power, deliver carbon-free electricity to the City’s power grid. With the predictable rise and fall of tides in rivers near harbors and oceans, tidal power can potentially be deployed around the world.

Next, the natural energy of the Great Rift Valley is on display in Kenya, where heat and steam from Earth’s core rises to the ground. There, the steam is captured to spin turbines that power generators, which send low-carbon electricity to villages and businesses across the region. Nearby the Olkaria geothermal plants is the world’s largest rose nursery, fully powered by geothermal energy (and the sun and the rain!).

In Gibraltar, a small nation located between the United Kingdom and Spain, Eco Wave Power has installed ocean-resilient ‘floaters’ (or ‘power buoys’) along a jetty that reaches into the sea. The predictable motion of the floaters on the ocean’s surface powers a generator, which in turn delivers clean electrons (electricity) to Gibraltar’s local grid.

"Planet Power," beautifully brought to life by celebrated artist Annalisa Beghelli, portrays a world where water, sunshine, wind, and heat are changing the way that electricity is harnessed and used.

"Planet Power" includes accessible facts about each renewable energy technology presented, as well as information on how renewable power can help us slow the warming of the planet and ensure a safer world for people everywhere.

My first renewable energy picture book for children, "When the Wind Blows," was discovered by CA literary agent Andy Ross, who sold it to Holiday House five days later.

Beautifully illustrated by Brad Sneed, WIND was released by HH in January 2015 and has received endorsements from Bill McKibben, Josh Fox, Mark Ruffalo, Carl Safina and Mark Jacobson. It has also received a thumbs up from former V.P. Al Gore.

Reviews

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure which book came first, but this is patterned remarkably similar to the book published under the same title and authored by Sweeney. The only reason why I liked this one was because of how it incorporated a touch of science; just enough to get kids interested and asking questions. So yes, read this one too.

Ages: 5 - 8

Cleanliness: some people are wearing swimsuits - one lady is wearing a two-piece.

#wind #weather

**Like my reviews? I also have hundreds of detailed reports that I offer too. These reports give a complete break-down of everything in the book, so you'll know just how clean it is or isn't. I also have Clean Guides (downloadable PDFs) which enable you to clean up your book before reading it! Visit my website: The Book Radar.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

A short session with one of the greatest powers on earth: wind. WIND.

The artwork and the words of this book combine to charm listeners and readers to think about the randomness of breeze, the power of a full wind to turn a blustery human into a powerless speck, and the comfort of that drizzly rain that can end a hot summer day.

We enjoyed this read, and talked about our last meeting with "wind" - how, when and where. It was a delightful conversation.

[Teresa Bateman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the wind blows it carries kites up off the beach. Balls roll, and boats sail. Turbines offshore also turn, causing magnets to create energy that goes out through wires to power homes and cities. This is a lyrical, simple introduction to wind power, and its contributions to our world. It does not try to be even-handed, failing to note problems with wildlife impacts of this power source. Warm watercolor illustrations flow across double page spreads. This is all very positive and "green." And, really, what's wrong with that? It's an introduction to a concept, after all. As such, it would fit nicely into power or ecology units, presenting children with one of many sources of power that we use today.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good length, pleasant readaloud about wind power that would be good in conjunction with a unit about electricity, power, windmills, alternative energy, etc. for 5-8 year olds. A good jumping-off point or review, but does not explain the concepts mentioned (magnets, electrical circuits, electrons, etc.). WHY IS EVERYONE WHITE THOUGH

[Jschofi4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhyming text talking about wind power. The engineering related spreads are really well done and included in a non-jarring way.

[Paige Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the cover you would have never guessed that his book was about electricity. I loved how it was a fun educational book that was told through poetry. The images helped carry the words across the pages to really help bring together the idea of “When the Wind Blows.” Overall a well put together book!

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nonfiction-ish picture poetry-ish book tries to do a lot and pretty much succeeds. To go from a general conversation on wind to a look at wind power in a book this short is a challenge and yet somehow not jarring. There's just enough here to leave the reader wanting more, which I guess is the point. Nicely done.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out simple, talking about how the wind makes breezes and thus kites fly and sailboats sail. Then, it goes into a little more depth discussing (at the most basic level) how windmills create energy and that energy is used to power things we use everyday. It's a nice, basic book to introduce the concept of wind energy to young kids who are interested.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhyming, rhythmic, text shows young readers how the breeze at the beach powers trains, lights up houses, warms cities. The wind at work and the science of how it charges the grid. Vibrant watercolor art helps bring the science home.

[Rachel Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the simple paintings and the way the strokes from the medium shows through. I also love that the poems have academic information.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done rhyme about the wind blowing and creating electricity in windmills that harvest the electricity, powering our world.

[Lexie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the poetic nature of this book and how it opens up conversation about a different energy source.

[Tori Crumrine]

Illustrations look like some kind of paint, perhaps oil.

This book is a long nonfiction poem about how electricity is generated from wind. It shows how one area that is windy supplies power to places all over.

I like this book because it could encourage kinds to learn about other places and other types of power.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. This is pretty neat: a book about wind power for little ones (with some big vocabulary words). It's rhymed, and the beats scan well, which is always such a relief (often a rarity!) with picture books:

"When the wind blows
Porch doors sway
Dune grass bends
Sea waves spray

When the wind blows
Balloons escape
Beach balls roll
Clouds change shape...

When the wind blows
Blades rotate
Turning gears
Accelerate

When the wind blows
Copper whirls 'round
Between two magnets
High aboveground

(here I'll admit I find that a little too much detail, given the tone so far, but suppose it would be good in a class demo on how wind turbines work in detail)

When the wind blows
Magnetic forces
Use electrons
As energy sources...

When the wind blows
Circuits ignite
Electricity!
Flows day
And night...

When the wind blows
It powers a station
Charging the grid
That fuels our nation"

(and so on for a few more verses about all the things this electricity powers)

[Stacy Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi Friends - this is my first rhyming, renewable energy book for children! Thanks to illustrator Brad Sneed, it's artfully simple and detailed, but breezy and memorable too. This is a lyrical science picture book about how the power of offshore breezes can power harbors, homes, hillsides and highways! Take a ride with the skipper and his dog to discover how windmills produce emissions-free, clean electricity for towns and cities everywhere. And please do let me know what you think!

To learn more about windmills and clean energy, please visit the book's site: www.WhenTheWindBlows.org

Thanks so much and I hope that I'll hear from you!


Stacy Clark, Dallas TX
stacy@dallaswriter.com

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this introductory illustrated non-fiction book about wind energy, Stacy Clark and Brad Sneed turn a narrative and lyrical story into a learning opportunity. While enjoying the watercolor paintings the reader learns about what happens when the wind blows for the windmills in the ocean. Wonderful vocabulary is used throughout the book, and while these are illustrations, they are clearly inspired by real-life objects and meant to teach and inform. This would be great for an introduction to any energy unit, best for between second and fourth graders, possibly a grade level below as determined by teacher.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not just about the wind . . . but about wind turbines & how they transform the wind into energy. Somehow the author has managed to make a succinct text rhyme and incorporate technical terms like magnetic forces and electrons (wow!)

"When the wind blows
Blades rotate
Turning gears
Accelerate"

"When the wind blows
It activates lights
Warms cold homes
And cools hot nights."

The repetitive refrain of "when the wind blows," the rhyme & shortness of the text, the appealing illustrations make this book on wind energy accessible for the youngest readers. A really amazing book.

Used in Wonderworks Storytime, March 2016.

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book in my classes for kids ages 2-4 and they really enjoyed it. The colorful and vibrant illustrations keep the kids interest. The poetic way the book is written makes it fun to listen to. I love that there are interesting and easy books that teach children some interesting facts out in the world. I love reading books the kids have not heard before. Such fun! 4 stars

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a "breezy" (pun intended) wind power poem illustrated with engaging watercolors. Although light in tone and style, this is a picture book packed with green power imagery. A must-read book for any units on energy, wind, or weather.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many things the wind can do and effect. Nice science lessons and big and colorful pictures.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice art. sumptuous.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that went in a totally different direction than I was expecting, but it's a cool book about windpower for the littles. It even rhymes!

[Nicole]

Cute, simple explanation of what the wind is and what it does. Really great illustrations too!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging rhyming text explaining wind power.

[Morgan Kuch]

This book is a good way to integrate science in to your classroom in a simple way. Also, uses poems and rhyming in cute way.

[Julie]

This book is a cute way to describe what happens when wind blows and how important it is to our power. When the wind blows, kites fly and balloons escape. Wind spins the blades of turbines, giving power to the world- trains, cars, cities, heating and AC, lighthouses, and power lines. In my classroom, we could read this on a windy day, and when talking about electricity and power. We could discuss how we get power from wind, water, coal, and the sun.