If you find yourself scratching your head at how nuclear power plants work or what nuclear energy is … or even tougher: have to explain it to your kids? Then this is the book for you.

Award-winning author Amelia Frahm’s [amazon_link id=”097057522X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works![/amazon_link] aims to educate elementary school-age children about the science behind nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is an extremely controversial topic, so it’s important to learn the science behind it, no matter what position you take.

After graduating from University of Florida with a degree in Public Relations (PR) / Journalism, Amelia’s first job was doing PR work for a nuclear power plant. Amelia Frahm now owns Nutcracker Publishing Company, which also published her second children’s book:  Tickles Tabitha’s Cancer-tankerous Mommy! Tickles is part of Amelia’s effort to be an advocate for cancer awareness for children. She also creates educational curricula for children.

Please welcome Amelia to the Spotlight!

MCA: Thanks for stopping by, Amelia. Nuclear power isn’t a subject you would normally associate with a picture book. Can you please tell us what motivated you to create your  [amazon_link id=”097057522X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works![/amazon_link] ?

Amelia: Believe it or not it was NOT Japan’s nuclear disaster. My motivation came from an idea I had decades earlier. After college I was hired to work at a nuclear power plant and one of my assignments was to create a school program explaining how a nuclear plant works for elementary school kids. I always thought there should be a more creative way to explain it than the brochures I had to read to educate myself.

I left the nuclear industry in 1989 and went on to establish a career as a writer and publisher. About eight years ago my family relocated to North Carolina and we live near a nuclear power plant. So that got me to thinking about the subject again.

I was already putting the finishing touches on the book when the event in Japan made international headlines. I knew immediately that the book I was working on would be needed and the time to publish it was now. The book was officially released December, 29, 2011.

MCA: How interesting! Now that you have an award-winning picture book, what are your goals for the next year?

Amelia: This is the first children’s picture book about nuclear energy in this format. I hope this time next year it will be recognized across the country as recommended reading for anyone interested in nuclear power, and especially parents and teachers who want to inspire children to be interested in the technology.

My goal is to have a thriving school program in place and make the book available to the nuclear science communities and elementary school libraries. Right now, there is nothing like it available within the nuclear industry itself.

MCA: With all of the emphasis on STEM programs in school districts across the country, it would seem like that you’ve got exactly what elementary schools are looking for. Could you share three ways in which you think your Mom’s Choice Award® will help you reach your elementary school audiences?.

Amelia: I can name four it has helped already: media; parents; educators; and most especially the Nuclear Industry. The Mom’s Choice Award® lends credibility and has helped open doors. It lets everyone know that what I have written has merit.

This is especially important when marketing to the nuclear industry as it gives them assurance it is not just a book they appreciate, but it’s been approved by leaders in the children’s picture book industry as well.

MCA: Can you share with us what you learned about yourself as an writer in creating your award-winning book?
Amelia: We’re never as dumb as we feel or as smart as we wish we were!

Due to its topic, my book has stirred controversy and criticism. Even before I published the book I learned to trust my own intuition. I have also come to realize that had this book made everyone happy it would have been too boring to justify publishing.

I want [amazon_link id=”097057522X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nuclear Power: How a Nuclear Power Plant Really Works![/amazon_link] to capture the attention of children who did not always find science and technology all that interesting. In the process, I had to make sure my book was technically accurate. That is why I asked for – and received – critiques from professionals within the nuclear power industry.

Some of the critiques were very critical and I took it to heart, until my daughter, a college student, finally got through to me. She said, they may be nuclear experts, but you are the expert on writing this book. You need to get over it. She was right, and the children’s target groups I did confirmed it.

Since then I have received numerous negative comments from anti-nuclear extremists who dislike that the book is for a children’s audience. It is evident from their comments that they have not read the book.

Receiving a Mom’s Choice Award in the science and technology category was sweet validation.

MCA: Who knew a children’s science book could raise so much interest?! Since launching your book, what has been your most rewarding experience in promoting or sharing it with the public? Do you have a favorite memory?
Amelia: My favorite memory was my recent trip back to the Texas town near the nuclear power plant where I worked more than two decades ago.

I returned as an award-winning children’s picture book writer and did a book-signing event at a local coffee shop. Many employees from the nuclear plant turned out to support and thank me for writing the book.

One mom told me she usually shortened nuclear plant to plant when referring to where she worked. She discovered her child had thought she worked as some sort of florist.

They were so appreciative and supportive of the book, by the time I flew back to North Carolina I had signed up almost every school in the county to return to for an author visit.

MCA: Wow! That is awesome. You’ve paved a great road for yourself, even as a new honoree. Would you like to ask a question or two to some of the seasoned honorees?
Amelia: My company is run by one determined woman and sometimes I am just overwhelmed by all the things I need to do. Just answering e-mails and attending to my social media can take hours of my time.

How do you guys focus? Any suggestions on what you think I should focus on and how? Also, any suggestion on where my marketing dollar would receive the best results?

MCA: Excellent question Amelia! Honorees, what techniques have you employed to get the most out of your time? And how does it affect your marketing plan?

Mom’s Choice Awards® Honors

[amazon_link id=”097057522X” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Nuclear Power
How A Nuclear Power Plant Really Works![/amazon_link] by Amelia Frahm
Illustrated by Andrew Handley
Children’s Picture Books
Silver 2011 – Science & Technology

 

Contact, Connect, and Network with Amelia

The Alumni Spotlight is a periodic feature on the official Mom’s Choice Awards® blog. It is part of our ongoing effort to “shine the spotlight” on you and your award-winning, family-friendly products, services, and media.