A curious orange tabby, a wise, bespectacled duck and a time-travel machine are the stars of a new children's book about co-ops written by a Missouri electric cooperative communicator.

Co-Mo Electric's Patrick Wood combined his passion for doodling and co-ops in “Cat and Duck and the Electric Cooperative," which is designed for children ages 4 to 7.

The 32-page book begins with Cat in his house, afraid because a thunderstorm caused a power outage. Duck appears and assures Cat that the local co-op will restore power soon. They both hop into a time-travel machine for a learning adventure about co-ops.

It's “about the amazing world of electric co-ops—because every kid needs to know where their Wi-Fi and nightlight power come from," Wood writes in the book's “about the author" page.

The manager of communications at the Tipton, Missouri-based co-op purposely wrote the book for an age group whose parents still read to them at bedtime—and wanted to sneak in an educational opportunity at the same time.

“I'm not ashamed to say that there's plenty of things I've learned and plenty of things I've relearned by reading books to my kids," said Wood, a father of three.

Wood has been visiting classrooms for “mini career days," combining book readings with a brief show-and-tell featuring a Co-Mo bucket truck. Since the book became available last fall, he's read “Cat and Duck" to more than 300 children, who each go home with a copy of it.

“The kids have an absolute blast with the book and the bucket truck demonstration," said Kori Shewmaker, a kindergarten teacher at Versailles Elementary School in Versailles, Missouri.

Co-Mo Director Bill Betteridge has signed up to help with future classroom readings. The retired elementary school principal said the book hits the mark in engaging younger members.

“It's been a real discussion point among us, on how we can engage with members of all ages and make co-ops real for them. And in the more than nine years I've been here, this is one of the best connection points I've seen."

There are two versions of “Cat and Duck," one specific to Co-Mo and one for general co-op audiences. Co-ops can download and distribute the book; a PDF option is also available if they want to have it professionally printed with their logo. Wood says co-ops in about a dozen states have contacted him about the book.

He hopes his creative efforts could inspire youngsters down the road.

“With this age group, what they want to be when they grow up is still changing day to day," Wood said. “But by putting this book in the mix, someone might remember that giant truck with bucket that goes way up and think 'Oh, I want to be a lineman.' It might be a fleeting idea, but again, we're planting that seed."