Nonfiction Monday: Energy Island: How one community harnessed the wind and changed their world by Allan Drummond

This week, I'm looking at a book about environmental responsibility with plenty of practical advice and fascinating facts. This is the story of the Danish island of Samso.

Samso used to be an ordinary island. They had farms and a fishing fleet, a ferry and lots and lots of wind! Then the Danish Ministry of Environment and Energy chose Samso as the place to become independent of nonrenewable energy and a teacher named Soren Hermansen decided to help bring the project to life. Despite initial resistance, residents of the island gradually came to support the idea and offered their own suggestions and innovations. Wind turbines were built and after a storm knocked out most of the island's power, people came to see the advantages of independent power. Finally, the island became independent of nonrenewable energy sources - and even makes more energy than it can use!

Explanations of the various terms and concepts related to energy, including nonrenewable and renewable energy, climate change, etc. are included in sections set throughout the book. Drummond's illustrations swirl and explode throughout the book with life and energy and excitement. Ideas are spread throughout the story for ways to save and improve energy sources in big and small ways.

Verdict: This is an inspiring book for children and adults alike. An enjoyable read-aloud that easily incorporates an important message without being preachy or laden with doom. Recommended - would make a good nonfiction read-aloud for storytimes with older kids.

ISBN: 9780374321840; Published March 2011 by Farrar Straus Giroux; Borrowed from the library