Have Fries-Will Travel! is an adventure story for children of all ages. It features Rock, an eco-rap singer, who buys Tiny, a smelly diesel car, at a used car lot. Rock converts Tiny to run on biodiesel, usually made from soybean oil.
Soon, Tiny is powered by biodiesel, his exhaust smelling like yummy French fries. The two set off on a road trip to encourage others to use biodiesel in their cars and to meet Senator Slade Twist in Washington, DC.
They visit farmers growing soybeans especially for making biodiesel; they pick up a colorful assortment of biodiesel converts, including the one and only Ms. Liza Merriweather; Rock performs rap songs about the need to stop global warming-with biodiesel cars being a good idea since biodiesel is a very clean fuel; and a parade of vehicles, including a biodiesel-fueled farm tractor and a big rig, follow Tiny into DC where a surprise ending awaits.
Children learn that using French fry oil for running vehicles helps the environment. They also learn specific ways to promote biodiesel-from encouraging mom and dad, to rallying their school and community leaders, to getting trucks and buses converted to biodiesel.
With an introduction by film star/activist Daryl Hannah and Grassolean Solutions founder Charris Ford-who use and promote biodiesel themselves-the book will find a home among teachers, parents, environmental organizations, and a wide range of others.
Linda K. Hempel is an environmental entrepreneur and educator who has spent over two decades teaching the public about caring for, restoring, and preserving the environment.
Kathy Dotson is an artist who recently illustrated Salmonid Savers, a children's book on salmon. She works for the South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) in Nevada City, California, and directs the annual Environmental Film Festival.
