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Planet Power: Explore the World's Renewable Energy
Explore six renewable energy technologies that are used around the world! Accessible verse and lush illustrations introduce children to important information about how we can harness the planet's natural resources including wind, water and sun. Inset boxes define new words like "turbine," while extensive endnotes further explain the science behind each power source and the benefits of clean energy.
40 pages, Paperback
Published October 29, 2021
24 people want to read
About the author
Stacy P. Clark
2 books15 followersI'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.
"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.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 18, 2021
As the author of "Planet Power: Explore the World's Renewable Energy" (Barefoot Books, July 2021), I of course am giving this title a 5-star rating.
What I love about "Planet Power" - apart from Annalisa Beghelli's lush, detailed illustrations, is that the book offers rhyming stances for young readers and smart facts about renewable energy for older readers. Friends of mine have said that this book is also great for adults who want to understand how our electricity is harnessed and how we can make it without causing world temperatures to rise.
This is a fun and engaging book to read to little children at bedtime and a great exploration book to read with young adults.
I was inspired to write "Planet Power" by Mark Z. Jacobson, a Stanford professor, who, with his students and colleagues, has mapped 50 states and 143 countries for 100% clean, renewable energy!
I was also inspired by Danny Kenndy, author of "Rooftop Revolution," who exposed the myth that we need to rely on fossil fuels and shone a light on the inexplicably arduous and dangerous manner in which fossil fuels are extracted, transported and used. As a former Greenpeace activist, Kennedy witnessed firsthand how oil and gas was exploiting African villages. That was when he decided to make solar power more affordable and more accessible. His company, Sungevity, did just that.
I am also inspired by climate and energy experts and brilliant authors Michael E. Mann, Katharine Hayhoe, Clara Vondrich, Ed Begley, Bill McKibben, Melissa Burt and so many others.
As a teacher and mother, I am so excited by the awesome potential for wind, solar, wave, tidal, river and geothermal power to electrify cities, states and nations.
The ultimate message of Planet Power is that science and technology are cool they're the practical tools that we have to change the world for the better.
Our hope is that "Planet Power" will inspire readers to see renewable energy as a very real and elegant resource for powering our lives--"elegant" because its impact on the planet is so very small compared to fossil fuels.
Looking forward to any questions you may have about this beautiful book. And thanks to Annalisa, the team at Barefoot Books, my editor, Emma Parkin and her husband, David Parkin, for ensuring the technical details of the book were just right!
Shine On!
Stacy Clark
My sites:
StacyClarkBooks.com
StacyClarkClimate.com
My Linktr.ee is @StacyWriterClark
My Twitter is @Stacy__Clark (two underscores)
What I love about "Planet Power" - apart from Annalisa Beghelli's lush, detailed illustrations, is that the book offers rhyming stances for young readers and smart facts about renewable energy for older readers. Friends of mine have said that this book is also great for adults who want to understand how our electricity is harnessed and how we can make it without causing world temperatures to rise.
This is a fun and engaging book to read to little children at bedtime and a great exploration book to read with young adults.
I was inspired to write "Planet Power" by Mark Z. Jacobson, a Stanford professor, who, with his students and colleagues, has mapped 50 states and 143 countries for 100% clean, renewable energy!
I was also inspired by Danny Kenndy, author of "Rooftop Revolution," who exposed the myth that we need to rely on fossil fuels and shone a light on the inexplicably arduous and dangerous manner in which fossil fuels are extracted, transported and used. As a former Greenpeace activist, Kennedy witnessed firsthand how oil and gas was exploiting African villages. That was when he decided to make solar power more affordable and more accessible. His company, Sungevity, did just that.
I am also inspired by climate and energy experts and brilliant authors Michael E. Mann, Katharine Hayhoe, Clara Vondrich, Ed Begley, Bill McKibben, Melissa Burt and so many others.
As a teacher and mother, I am so excited by the awesome potential for wind, solar, wave, tidal, river and geothermal power to electrify cities, states and nations.
The ultimate message of Planet Power is that science and technology are cool they're the practical tools that we have to change the world for the better.
Our hope is that "Planet Power" will inspire readers to see renewable energy as a very real and elegant resource for powering our lives--"elegant" because its impact on the planet is so very small compared to fossil fuels.
Looking forward to any questions you may have about this beautiful book. And thanks to Annalisa, the team at Barefoot Books, my editor, Emma Parkin and her husband, David Parkin, for ensuring the technical details of the book were just right!
Shine On!
Stacy Clark
My sites:
StacyClarkBooks.com
StacyClarkClimate.com
My Linktr.ee is @StacyWriterClark
My Twitter is @Stacy__Clark (two underscores)
January 30, 2022
What a beautiful way to celebrate renewable energy and invite children to imagine the possibilities! This is a lovely book that's kind of 2-in-1. The main core of the narrative is a lyrical rhyming text paired with vibrant and engaging illustrations that makes for a great read-aloud for children ages 6-10. The back half of the book includes more scientific detail about each type of renewable energy mentioned.
I'm so blown away by how great this is! I really appreciate the idea of separating out an engaging narrative from the more detailed scientific information. This means that each page isn't bogged down by too much text.
Renewable energy is celebrated and discussed as a whole, and then a variety of types are highlighted through the book: hydropower, solar power, wind power, tidal power, geothermal power, wave power
This is a true celebration of the Earth and human ingenuity.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.
I'm so blown away by how great this is! I really appreciate the idea of separating out an engaging narrative from the more detailed scientific information. This means that each page isn't bogged down by too much text.
Renewable energy is celebrated and discussed as a whole, and then a variety of types are highlighted through the book: hydropower, solar power, wind power, tidal power, geothermal power, wave power
This is a true celebration of the Earth and human ingenuity.
***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.
April 24, 2023
This was very interesting and covered much ground. Definitely worth reading to become familiar with different types of power. However, it did feel a bit long and the near rhymes stuck out a bit too far, making it a worthwhile read, but not great (4) or phenomenal (5). Books we like deserve love to, so if you are interested in energy, check this one out. Very kid-friendly as far as information on each page! Just a lot of information to navigate and lots of backmatter, which is a plus if the child is a bit older and interested in the topic.
August 21, 2021
This is a neat earth science book for kids about different types of renewable energy used in the world today. The first part of the book is told in verse in two two-page spreads on each of the different types (hydropower, solar power, wind power, tidal power, geothermal power, and wave power), and the second part of the book covers these more in depth. The Illustrations are bright and engaging, supplementing the text nicely. For a short book, there's a lot of information packed in, and I learned quite a few things I didn't know about before, or was unclear on. This would make a great addition to any home, school, or public library.
November 30, 2021
There is a ton of information about renewable energy in the lengthy backmatter of this book. The first half is a great intro that would work well for reading aloud. Together this book gives teachers, librarians and families a lot of ways to use this book for exploring renewable energy with kids.
December 28, 2023
Interesting picture book. First part of the book explains various renewable energy sources from around the world with poetry. Then there is a map highlighting various forms of energy from the poems. The back pages go into more detail about energy sources. Unique layout.
Want to Read
April 23, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
December 19, 2021
3 stars for this information packed book about energy
July 24, 2022
Simple rhyming book to teach kiddos about renewable energy. Great source.
August 6, 2025
Excellent book for teaching renewable energy.
April 17, 2021
This could be called two books in one, and that might be a good thing or not. I was surprised to find this was primarily in verse, as a non-fiction science book, but the first half really works. We get an introduction to an ideal world, where tidal, wave, solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric power systems keep our planet on a more even keel that we're currently at. Each and every system gets an equal treatment, of two double-page spreads, and four short verses each, and the success of this part is in how easily the rhythms and rhymes come to the page, even with such a seemingly proscriptive subject.
The second half of the book is certainly not in verse, but conveys the science of everything, and pinpoints where exactly the instances in the preceding are in real life. That's all well and good – we needed the science, and the use of real-world examples is obviously commendable – but I did think the level of these pages, with their talk of solar inverters etc, so heavily advanced from the picture-book style first half. So yes, there might be merit in allowing two different year-groups to use the same book, or one young student to pick up what her older brother has glossed over in his reach for the later pages, but the step up from one to the other did seem a bit too extreme. It's a welcome volume, nonetheless.
The second half of the book is certainly not in verse, but conveys the science of everything, and pinpoints where exactly the instances in the preceding are in real life. That's all well and good – we needed the science, and the use of real-world examples is obviously commendable – but I did think the level of these pages, with their talk of solar inverters etc, so heavily advanced from the picture-book style first half. So yes, there might be merit in allowing two different year-groups to use the same book, or one young student to pick up what her older brother has glossed over in his reach for the later pages, but the step up from one to the other did seem a bit too extreme. It's a welcome volume, nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews