June 2025
Co-Mo Connect’s Patrick Wood reads his latest children’s book, A Lineman’s Day with Co-Mo Joe, during a story hour at Price James Library in Tipton, Missouri. (by Gene McCoy/Co-Mo)
by Victoria A. Rocha, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
When people retire from a job, plaques or farewell parties are typical parting gifts. Co-Mo Connect’s Danny Wood got a starring role in a new children’s book when he called it a career after 31 years at the rural Missouri co-op.
Wood, a newly retired line construction foreman, appears in “A Lineman’s Day with Lineman Larry,” a 44-page book that introduces young children to linework careers. Wood’s “friend” is Lineman Larry, a paper doll that young readers can cut out and color.
Wood is a photo model in the book. “When asked if I wanted to participate, I said, ‘No problem.’ That’s what a lineman does, a lineman serves,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to reading it with his four grandchildren, with another on the way.
“Lineman Larry” is the second children’s book written and illustrated by Patrick Wood (no relation to Danny), communications manager at the Tipton, Missouri-based co-op. The co-op released the first book, “Cat, Duck and the Electric Cooperative,” earlier this year.
“We chose Danny because of his retirement and also because he’s always so sweet and willing to participate and help,” said Wood, who co-wrote the book with Kelsie Baldus, a communications specialist.
The book is part of the co-op’s retooled educational program for local schools to observe Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 14.
The communicators styled the book after the educational project spin-off from the popular Flat Stanley children’s book series. Youngsters cut out and color the bearded, smiling Lineman Larry instead of the Flat Stanley schoolboy.
“We want them to take pictures of themselves showing Lineman Larry what they’re learning about in school,” Wood said. “Everyone who sends a photo of a colored page gets a copy of the book,” he said. “The kids teach Lineman Larry and then Lineman Larry will teach them about being a lineman via the book.”
There’s an incentive, too. Toward the end of the month, Co-Mo employees voted on coloring pages and the winning classrooms got a lineman visit with a bucket truck, a book reading and a pizza party.
Narrated by Lineman Larry, the newest book follows Wood on service calls, starting with a safety inspection. Wood replaces poles, fixes power lines, goes up in a bucket and chats with a member. He was adamant that the book include a page on maintaining a safe distance from downed powerlines.
Recalling past incidents, “I told Kelsie, ‘Man, you gotta put that in there, even with little kids.’ I wanted that in, for sure.” Wood is shown holding up his hands to indicate “stop.”
“DO NOT GET CLOSE TO IT! Stay far away,” the book warns. “Pretend there is a school bus between you and the power line on the ground. That is how far away you should stay.”
Like Wood’s earlier creation, there are two versions of “Lineman Larry,” one specific to Co-Mo featuring Co-Mo Joe, and one for general co-op audiences. Co-ops can download the distribute the book; a PDF option is also available if they want to have it professionally printed with their logo.
Wood has created magic with the two books. Co-ops in 23 states have copies of the first Cat and Duck, and his schedule is filling up with requests from schools and libraries for Lineman Larry readings. He’s working on a third book—another Cat and Duck offering focused on safety.
After that, he might take a break, he said. “But I wouldn’t say that we won’t write more. It’s really a fun opportunity to promote community, education and reading. It fulfills a lot of purposes.”
Victoria A. Rocha is a staff writer for NRECA.