Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

            Suzan Tyler Decker’s vision of the main character was clear: A young boy with red hair and freckles, wearing a green striped shirt with jeans and red sneakers.

            For years, Decker, who moved to Smith Mountain Lake from New Jersey in 1999, talked about writing children’s books on recycling and other green themes but never put pen to paper.

            "When my children were in elementary school, I used to help out in the classroom by reading stories to groups of children," she said. "By the looks of wonderment and glee on the little ones' faces, I could tell the children were transported to an imaginary world. It was such fun; I enjoyed every minute of it."

            In August 2008, during a visit to the lake, Decker’s daughter Megan encouraged her mother to act on her passion for writing and storytelling. It was Megan’s words that persuaded Decker to start the book she had dreamed so long of writing.

            Decker conducted research, formulated the story, commissioned an artist, and in December 2009, self-published “Johnny Green and the Little Green Man” through a company called Xlibris.

            “Children love the unbelievable, and they love to fantasize. I got the idea for Johnny Green as a main character, and I had a vision of exactly how he would look,” Decker said.  “… Children identify with kids who are like themselves, and I created Johnny to be very ordinary.”

            But something extraordinary happens when Johnny encounters a little green man and hides him in his closet, reminiscent of a scene in the movie “E.T.” In the end, Johnny Green learns a valuable lesson – that even children can help the environment by recycling.

            Decker said that while she believes children establish life-long habits when they are young, adults can be retrained. She said she hopes the book will leave a lasting impression on readers, resulting in an increase in recycling. The book's final two pages are filled with facts about and tips for recycling glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, tin and aluminum.

            “The book is geared toward 4-to-8-year-olds ... on up to 100-year-olds,” she said. “You’re never too old to learn to recycle.”

            To illustrate the book, Decker teamed up with Julia Marie Floyd, whose art can be seen at SML venues such as Joe’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant where her intricate murals decorate the walls.

            In fact, Decker’s commitment to Floyd’s art was part of the reason she decided to self-publish her book. Traditional publishing houses typically have their own artists who create illustrations, she said. Decker wanted control over her vision of Johnny Green. She chose Xlibirs and purchased a mid-range package that would allow the book to be published in both hardcover and paperback.

            “They also offered a wide range of marketing services,” Decker said. “I liked the fact that they seemed to offer services that get your book exposure on both regional and national levels such as conferences and exhibits around the country.”

            Decker said she’s optimistic she’ll recoup her investment and plans to use any profit to fund a second book. She has plans for two more in the “Johnny Green” series, one with a focus on clean water and the other on clean air. She said she’s also working on a recycling-related board book for preschool-age children.

            “My real focus is a fun story that will help better educate children and adults on the importance and value of recycling,” said Decker, a data analyst for Roanoke County Fire and Rescue whose husband, Skip, is manager of Solid Waste and Recycling for the city of Roanoke.

            In addition to wanting to retain her vision, Decker said she chose not to contact traditional publishing companies for her book because she wanted to retain the rights and because of the horror stories she had heard about the difficult and time-consuming process. However, Decker said she’s ready to submit future book ideas to traditional publishing companies and joked that she “is working on clearing wall space for the rejection letters.”

            “Johnny Green and the Little Green Man” ($23.99 in hardcover, $17.99 in paperback) is available online at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and at Decker’s Web site, suzantylerdecker.com.

 

The General Store will have signed copies of “Johnny Green and the Little Green Man” available in March. On Earth Day (April 22), Decker will conduct a book reading from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Westlake Library. The author is also available to read the book in classrooms or for groups to stress the importance of recycling. For more information, e-mail her at suzantylerdecker@gmail.com.