The author of children’s books which aim to teach children about the benefits of oil and gas has said she wrote the book because too many people “despise” it.
Barbara Denson, the American author of the Gary The Go-Cart books blamed media coverage for the negative image that the public have of the industry, and wrote her books to provide a positive point of view.
She said: “Here in the US, not only do most people not recognise the benefits in their life that come from oil and gas, they seem to despise it.
“I think the reason is because we are always portrayed so poorly in the media. We are only in the news if there is a disaster. We are always the bad guys in TV shows and movies.”
The two titles released so far are ‘Wind Blows’ and ‘Carbon Comes out of the Closet’ – a title which contains a hidden meaning.
Ms Denson said: “As I was thinking about writing a book about carbon sequestration, I was thinking that those of us that don’t believe in man-made catastrophic climate change are vilified by society.
“I decided that I was going to “come out of the closet” and go ahead and admit it”.
The books have been well received so far, and the author said she has had many adults buying the book to educate their friends.
People have also told her that they keep a copy of the books in their office desk.
The author worked in the oil and gas industry and currently works for an environmental consulting company.
She has ideas for at least ten more children’s books, including one with a new lead character called Sophia, but she is looking for a new illustrator after the death of her illustrator Sidnei Marques.
She said: “He had been really ill and I truly believe he hung on as long as he did just to see these books finished. It was so sad. Check out the books, he had amazing talent.”
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