Amy has always done things a certain way, but when her old horse gets ready to retire, Amy must find a fresh approach. With the help of some new friends, Amy discovers the power of teamwork and how to balance keeping the mail on time with having a lighter impact on
the environment. A gripping fable about the energy transition.
Author: Dr Bjorn Sturmberg is a research leader in the Battery Storage and Grid Integration Program at the Australian National University. His work ranges from theoretical physics and algorithm development to the challenges of coordinating the mass charging of electric vehicles and the social implications of new technologies. He is actively engaged in the commercialisation of clean technologies and business models and is a regular contributor to policy and public discourses. Bjorn is a big believer in the power of stories, and believes we need a simple, positive story about the clean energy transition. Amy’s Balancing Act is his first picture book aimed at primary school-aged children and is one about clean energy and the power of diversity.
Illustrator: Laura Stitzel is an independent artist in Melbourne. She has been working as an illustrator, animator and author in Canada and Australia since 2008. Laura has illustrated many books and her artwork also appears on many book covers, most recently a series of children’s classics including Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz. Her art has also appeared in many children’s television series over the past decade. Laura has created background art and character animation for programs such as the Emmy Award winning Peg + Cat, Disney’s Space Chickens in Space, Warner Bros’ Ginger Snaps and the world’s longest running Children’s television series, Arthur. Laura completed Post Graduate study in Animation and Interactive Media at RMIT in Melbourne and studied classical drawing and painting at the New York Academy of Art.
* An inspiring tale about clean energy by a knowledgeable author in the field.
* Encourages children to think about what they can do to impact the environment in a positive way and includes a visual representation of how clean energy technologies work.
* Charming illustrations by internationally acclaimed artist, Laura Stitzel.
* Themes include climate change, teamwork, and diversity.
The Hon Chris Bowen MP
"energy made the old way is wonderful, but it also puts lots of stuff into the sky which makes our planet warmer. And thats a problem. So what we’re going to do is think of ways to get cleaner energy."
"You cant use all sun and it you cant use all wind. But we need to use both and we need to use clean sources of energy for you, because this is about making sure the planet’s clean for you when you grow up."
"So this book is about explaining that and helping people understand that we need the balance: we need to store sun, we need to store wind. So the planet is nice and run on clean green energy, which is what we really need."
Bridget Archer MP
"This book perfectly illustrates, pun not intended, the importance of how the right language and narratives can effectively change peoples minds and create effective change"
"Amongst the many frustrations I feel when it comes to the topic of climate change, is the lack of inclusivity. The them versus us mentality does not progress the conversatio"
"My view is that, as elected representatives, if we want to bring people with us in a new and different direction, its critical to use language that feels inclusive to them."
Prof Brian Schmidt AC
"the National University, which I lead, is the place where we use knowledge to help the nation find its way in the world. One of the ways is to help with what is probably, if you had to pick one issue for humanity, how we can as humanity we all live on Earth together healthily and in peace."
"we really need to find a way for, as Minister Bowen talked about, how we can make energy clean and green. So that it doesnt pollute the atmosphere, but make sure its equitable so that no one is left behind that everyone ends up being better off"
"one of the great things about this is youve done it in a way that is meaningful, that will actually help parents and grandparents have a conversation and think about it. With their children and their grandchildren about what it means. And its not a catastrophe. Its in some sense a great opportunity. But it is an opportunity we need to do."
Alicia Payne MP
"Hes written this fantastic book which I feel is really important, particularly for young kids, to understand, and to see some of the positivity around the transition to renewable energy, and that we need to have an open mind and see some of these things are right in front of us"
