We all remember picturing what we would be when we grew up. We were imaginative - sometimes a little too imaginative. Superheroes, ninjas, and spies were just a few of our future careers. It seemed like everyday, we had a new career goal and no doubt that it was possible.
Children’s book author, Dana Neer was no different. He may never forget the day his fourth grade teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He responded with confidence. He wanted to be a pastor or the governor.
“You know, what ten year old boy says that? But that’s what I wanted to do. I loved Indiana back then,” he stated, “I grew up as a Hoosier.”
Unfortunately, Dana Neer did not grow up to become the governor. But he was able to fulfill his desire to be a pastor before becoming the Director of Wellness at Culver Academy, and recently, the author of JT Owl Learns to Share.
(From left) Publisher Michael Snyder, author Dana Neer, and illustrator Anne Duff sign books at the Culver Coffee Company. Photo: JT Owl Book / Facebook
JT Owl is the first in a series set to have fifteen books that educate children, ages 4 to 8, about important values and morals.
JT Owl explores the pillar of sharing. Neer wanted his children to be aware that sharing is more than simply material. Neer states that, “sharing is communicative, it’s ideas, and creating value in the world today.”
The experiences Dana Neer had while growing up in Howard County are reflected throughout the book. Neer feels that “people from Indiana are some of the most honest hardworking, forthright people.” The setting and characters in the book are inspired by Neer’s admiration of the typography and beautiful terrain of the Kokomo area.
Although Neer’s children are now 12, 21, and 25, he remembers reading them bedtime stories. The stories that sparked laughter and happiness in his children became his inspiration.
The main character, JT Owl, was created with his youngest son, Graysen, in mind. Throughout the book, the actions of the Northern Saw-whet Owl are sometimes misunderstood and his kindness backfires.
“You and I both have been in situations before where we try to do a good deed and we’ve been misunderstood.”
Neer feels that when this happens, children should be swayed away from discouraging feelings and educated back toward kindness.
The series will do exactly what Neer believes should be done. Neer envisions parents or guardians will read the books to their children, sparking not only educational and moral growth, but a stronger bond between the parent and child.
Other books in the series will educate about virtues such as honesty, dedication, or honoring parents.
Neer hopes that people understand his purpose for writing the children’s book. “It is so important for them to have role models in their lives growing up and for those role models to teach them the ways of life,” he said.
As Neer continues working on the series, the first installation, JT Owl Learns to Share, can be purchased on Amazon. Anyone interested in an autographed copy can contact Dana Neer’s email: dana.neer@culver.org.
There’s still a possibility that maybe those fantasies about being a superhero when you were younger aren’t as far fetched as they seem.
