Nigel the Litter Hunter is an entertaining, positive and humorous children’s book created to encourage the next generation of stewards for the Wild. The story in the book follows the character of Nigel, an average guy who enjoys being out in nature but unfortunately finds his favorite places covered in garbage. When he asks who will clean it up, he discovers from an unlikely source (a sentient litter grabber) that taking care of these places is up to him. Receiving the new persona of Nigel The Litter Hunter from said litter grabber, Nigel works to clean up nature and educate others on doing the same.
This book is for all nature/outdoor lovers who want to protect these places and help to teach a new generation of their importance by helping to keep nature clean. While it is designed as a children’s book, it can also be a great tool for adults!
“To leave the world better than you found it, sometimes you have to pick up other people’s trash.” – Bill Nye
So, why do we need a children’s book about picking up litter? When I was growing up, I remember very prominent campaigns focused on litter issues- specifically Woodsy Owl, Don’t Trash Utah and of course, Captain Planet. You don’t see much, if any of that messaging anymore. Over the last several years I’ve noticed a sad trend: Outdoor popularity has outpaced outdoor awareness. Everything from vandalism to unethical behavior and especially an increase of litter in our public lands. Growing up as a scout, I was taught the principle of Leave It Better and so I set out to do just that and started to clean up my local lands in Utah.
Seeing from multiple headlines that littler is a problem for several wilderness areas, the need for education on the importance of stewardship taught at a younger age became even more apparent.
While easy to get upset, angry and lecture on this issue, I noticed that angle didn’t carry the message well and wasn’t scalable to a larger audience. So, I created the character of Nigel the Litter Hunter as a way to bring awareness to the serious issue of litter (and an excuse to wear short shorts in the hot summer heat) in a positive and entertaining way that promotes stewardship and teaches initiative to show that anyone can make a difference.
As education is an integral part of this character, a children’s book that will help influence and inspire the next generation of stewards blends the need to bring attention to the litter issue we face, while encouraging children that they can make a difference and be a caretaker for Mother Nature. In essence, they too can be Litter Hunters and Leave It Better! This book also aims to influence the next generation that litter shouldn’t be in nature (or anywhere, really) in the first place.
“Try and leave this world a little better than you found it, and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate, you have not wasted your time but have done your best.” – Robert Baden Powell
What will the book entail? Your support will help in the creation of an 8.5×11″ hardback, 25 page book printed on 100% post-consumer 80# matte paper. The story will help explain that when we find litter in the wild, it’s our opportunity to clean it up, and help to promote the fact that litter doesn’t belong in nature in the first place. The art style in the book is a hybrid illustration that blends traditional methods, computer illustrations and photo-realism for a unique look.
How far along is the project? The story is written and the illustrations are done! We have a printing partner locally in Utah we are working with that is waiting for the thumbs up from us to start printing – that’s where you come in to help get us to the finish line and make this a reality!
Who is involved? The story is written by self-proclaimed part-time crusader Phill Monson and illustrated by Dixie State University Art Department Chairman Alex Chamberlain.
We want to get this children’s book into as many hands as possible and hope you’ll help us make that a reality. Funding this project goes to the following:
The story and artwork are complete and we have our printing partner ready and on-board. With a successful funding ending in mid-April and any final prep and printing, we are anticipating the books will ship in June. Our local Utah printer has committed to a 4-week turn around once we hit “go.” This includes the time it takes to get the 100% post-consumer paper delivered as well. Challenges could arise in the production from unplanned issues, Acts of God, delivery delays of needed supplies etc. Shipping has been organized and calculated, but of course there can always be delays in delivery.