I Fuel is a breath of fresh air in the category of children’s books on energy sustainability.
by Esther Aardsma
"As dinosaurs thump about, my life begins," opens
I Fuel, Kelly Rice Schmitt’s attempt to explain to children the complex web of energy topics.
Where do gasoline and jet fuel come from? How do our lights turn on? Why do we seek alternative energy sources? These questions are answered at a young child’s level in this 2024 picture book. Schmitt starts by describing the formation of crude oil, then delves into the harvesting, refining, and delivery processes, and finally explores alternative energy sources, hinting at possibilities for the future. Several pages of notes at the end of the book provide additional resources for older kids and adults interested in facts about different types of fossil fuels and descriptions of various careers in the energy industry.
The text of
I Fuel is pleasant, almost poetic; the illustrations are colorful and simple, perhaps slightly reminiscent of a less fanciful Eric Carle. The book is devoid of foul language or romantic content. Graphic content is limited to cartoon-like illustrations: a man with a pacemaker in his heart (we see inside his body as a doctor listens to his heart); a boy with a bionic leg; rescue workers cleaning up an oil spill and rescuing oil-logged wildlife; and an overheated, dirty, reddened-sky scene intended to evoke sadness.
I Fuel is a breath of fresh air in the category of children’s books on energy sustainability. Schmitt’s book aims to present a balanced viewpoint on the topic, focusing more on teaching facts than on indoctrination into specific beliefs or actions. The negatives of careless fossil fuel usage are recognized and discussed, but Schmitt also creates space to celebrate the achievements recent generations have made through the use of fossil fuels.
"One day [people] may not need me [crude oil/fossil fuel] at all," Schmitt concludes, "but until then…I fuel!"
Esther Aardsma, a Champaign County native, currently resides in Thomasboro with her busy family. When she can, she pursues her passion for creativity, especially with words--and shares that love through editing, coaching one-on-one, and teaching classes.
Tagged: children's book about energy, teaching kids about fossil fuels, energy sustainability for kids, Kelly Rice Schmitt I Fuel review
