Gary The Go-Cart: Carbon Comes Out of the Closet

by B.B. Denson, Sidnei Marques (Illustrations)

"Carbon Comes Out of the Closet" is a humorous, conservative-leaning children's book that tackles Climate Change, Energy, and Fake News with a simplicity kids can enjoy and a deeper message adults will recognize. It offers the "inconvenient truth" behind the carbon controversy from a perspective that isn't often heard, highlighting how much of the debate is driven by politics and money rather than environmental science.

Written in playful poetry with rhyme and cadence, the story is brought to life through full-color illustrations by the late, award-winning Sidnei Marques, who completed this book shortly before his passing. The title reflects the author's own moment of "coming out of the closet" after watching people get vilified for questioning man-made catastrophic climate change-and deciding it was time to say out loud that she questioned it too.

This book presents carbon dioxide as beneficial to the environment and introduces readers to a side of the climate conversation that rarely makes it into mainstream discussions. Children can enjoy the story at face value, while teens and adults will catch the deeper commentary woven into the humor. A special section titled "For the Adults in the Room" appears at the end, offering additional context, quotes, and explanations for readers who want to dig further.

Part of the Gary the Go-Cart series, this book was created to help balance the conversation around energy and the environment. BB's goal is to simplify complex ideas about climate and energy in a way that's engaging, accessible, and-yes-likely to make you laugh out loud.

36 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2017

About the author

After graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Civil Engineering, BB began her career as an engineer for Amoco. A true passion for the environment led her to begin working for an environmental science company, which is what she was doing when she starting writing her first books. In 2016 BB began writing children's books about the energy industry because she believed that there was much misinformation about how the oil and gas industry is bad for the environment and hoped to educate kids and parents alike with fun stories that are factually accurate. All the craziness of 2020 compelled her to also begin writing political satire. Conservatives were being persecuted and they needed a little humor. BB is married to Al H Denson and they have four daughters. She had no idea that life would take her in this direction, but she is enjoying the ride and hopes you are too.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I am a kindergarten teacher and read this to my students. My kindergarteners enjoyed the characters and illustrations. They think Gary looks like a puppy and wish I had a stuffed Gary. I also have a teenage son who has read this book. It is fascinating to me that this book can be understood on different levels.

[Merri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great kids book. Appealing character and illustrations for my little ones, meaty ideas for consideration by my tweens and teens. Well done, BB Denson. Thanks for a second one - write more!

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with lovely rhyme and cadence. Great illustrations that are very retro. This books tackles a controversial subject in a way that is easy to digest. Kids see it as a fun story. Teenagers and adults hear the other side of the carbon debate that is rarely voiced in the mainstream media. I learned things, especially from the last couple of pages, that I had never heard before.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a witty take on a gigantic issue our children will face the rest of their future. Gary helps illuminate a major issue with wind energy, as he teaches your kid to persist and try try try. If you're tired of reading "The Little Engine That Could" and want to stimulate a larger conversation about critical thinking, this is the book for you.

[Suzanne Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes a great gift!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carbon Comes Out Of The Closet is a fantastic read. The story line is fun, the illustrations are wonderful, and this is a great opportunity for children to learn while they read. I highly recommend reading this book.

[Leona Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like first book illustrations are appealing to younger children while the message strives to inform all readers , young and old. The prose is at times a bit forced to create the rhymes and the language above younger readers' grasp. That being said, the message is clear that plants need carbon dioxide for maximum growth. The Greenies are stereotyped caricatures that may influence readers is a negative way for young children who can be impressionable. The cited material in the book of the book is the book's strength and should have had the sources for readers to investigate further.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book.

The illustrations will catch little one's attention. The prose is okay and the story is there to teach that not all carbon is bad - some of it, in fact, is necessary.

[Christie Condara · Rating 5 out of 5]

a point of view !