• Originally published December 8, 2011 at 7 a.m., updated December 8, 2011 at 7 a.m.

There’s now a children’s picture book that explains the inner workings of a nuclear power plant and it was inspired by the days its author worked at the South Texas Project Electric Generating Station.

Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works! by Amelia Frahm, is an educational and entertaining look at how a nuclear power plant works. It is told from the perspective of a chubby white rat and a pretty blue bird who blame everything they don’t understand about nuclear energy on a cat named Penelope.

Frahm whose maiden name was Solomon, worked at the South Texas Project Visitor’s Center in the 1980’s. She was putting the final touches on her book when Japan’s nuclear disaster occurred. “I recognized the need for this book from past experience,” she said. “I worked at STP after Three Mile Island and during the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.”

One of her job assignments was to create a school program about nuclear energy to take to community schools that were unable to bus children in to visit the nuclear plant. Frahm always wished for a more creative format to explain how a nuclear power plant works to her students. Her book was inspired by that experience.

The book has been well received by the nuclear industry, most of who share the opinion of nuclear expert Dr. Theodore Rockwell, who said, “Now kids can learn the basic facts about nuclear energy without being scared witless.”

However, not everyone sees it as a positive educational resource. Despite her book receiving a Mom’s Choice Award and being named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services in the Science & Technology and Children’s Picture Book categories, Frahm has faced harsh criticism from some anti-nuclear activists who are unhappy the book targets young children and is not critical of nuclear energy.

Amelia Frahm will be at Lisa’s Main Street Coffee and Wine Bar Saturday, December 10th at 10 to Noon and 3-6 P.M. autographing copies of her book. Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works! retails for $9.95

Frahm is no stranger to writing children’s book that deals with difficult subject matter. She previously authored the award-winning picture book Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy. Today she resides in Apex, NC. More information about her and her books can be found at NutcrackerPublishing .com.

About Nutcracker Publishing Company

Nutcracker Publishing Company was founded by Amelia Frahm in 2001. The company publishes children’s books that educate and entertain. The books also make it easier to establish a dialogue between children and adults about difficult subjects such as cancer and nuclear power. Nutcracker Publishing Company is now based in Apex, North Carolina. Visit: www.nutcrackerpublish

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