Signal Mountain author Hollie Stockman, center, reads her first children’s book, “Leon the Lizard,” to 5-year-old Cambria Ginther, left, and daughter Zella, 4.
Photo by Emily CrismanFirst-time children’s book author and Signal Mountain resident Hollie Stockman always enjoyed coming up with poetry in her head, but it was her 4-year-old daughter Zella who inspired her to turn her creativity into a work of art communicating a vital lesson.
The stay-at-home mom said “Leon the Lizard” was born from her desire to teach Zella to be grateful and understand the value of sharing.
“She asks me things like why we don’t have a big house like some of her friends,” said Stockman. “I wanted to share common issues children have with sharing and being happy with who you are and what you have.”
The story involves a chameleon (“Leon”) who becomes greedy and swallows all the colors in the world for himself, she said.
Stockman wrote the story in rhyming verse along with rough, stick figure-style sketches, on which her husband Johnny Stockman, a graphic artist, based his colorful illustrations.
“He perfectly captured how I pictured it to look,” said Stockman. “[The illustrations] are a little goofy and silly, which gives a playful aspect to a serious situation and engages children to learn a lesson.”
Dr. Michael Bishop, a licensed psychologist and director of educational programs, feels the book effectively teaches children social skills and the internal and external values of sharing.
“Young readers will delight in the colorful illustrations while absorbing an important life lesson that ends with the child feeling good about making decisions that consider the thoughts and feelings of others,” he said.
The book is geared toward children ages 2 to 6, but Stockman said boys and girls at any age will enjoy the story and relate to Leon. She said Zella loves the book and references it often.
“She really relates the book to what’s going on in her life,” she said.
Stockman said she recently submitted “Leon the Lizard” to Oprah Winfrey in hopes that she will select it to be among her “Favorite Things.”
“She’s about being happy with what you have, and Oprah definitely does share, so I thought she could relate to the main lessons of the story,” said Stockman.
She said she did a book signing at Bachman Community Center in August, and it melted her heart to hear the children comment on the illustrations.
Stockman will be signing copies of the book next at the Signal Mountain Fall Hodgepodge at Town Hall Oct. 1-2.
The book is currently available online at lulu.com, where she said it has received five-star reviews. Find “Leon” on Facebook, local bookstores, amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.