Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

For the next several weeks we will be interviewing Green Business Owners about their business, products, or services in an effort to get you thinking green for your holiday shopping. Today is our first interview.



Interview with Author Jill Ammon Vanderwood.

Jill Ammon Vanderwood is an award winning author, writing children's books and non-fiction stories. In March, 2009 her book, "What's It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live." was published.

RM: Tell me about about your book "What's It Like, Living Green?"

JV: My book is a compilation of stories from families who live green, kids who are making a difference for the environment and tips as simple as putting on a sweater, rather than turning up the heat. It's not, just kids telling other kids how they live and teach by example. "What's It Like, Living Green" is a 148 page nonfiction book, for ages 9 and up.

RM: What inspired you to write this book?

JV: On the thirtieth anniversary of Earth Day, I began to wonder if we had made any difference for the environment in all those years. I was inspired by my neighbor, Nicole, who filled up the whole back of a pickup to recycle her aluminum cans for cash for Christmas presents. I was also inspired by my younger sister, Jeanette, who drives an older disel Mercedes fueled by used cooking grease.
One night I fell asleep with these ideas in mind and woke up the next morning with the idea of "What’s It Like, Living Green?" I knew that kids are the ones to teach this concept to other kids. My search began for kids and their families who live green.

RM: What have you learned from writing this book?

JV: Wow! I’m embarrassed to say how much I’ve learned. I was still drinking bottled water when I began this book, but that ended abruptly. We started a compost, increased our garden, and canned more this year. I would be at Garden Green level on the green scale now, but…even though I have a fuel efficient car my next step—is to drive less.

RM: What is the most important message you hope comes across from "What's It Like, Living Green."

JV: I think the most important message is that everyone can change something to make a difference. People aren’t expected to change everything all at once. Take one green step and then the rest will follow.

RM: Please tell us about your book awards.

JV: "What’s It Like, Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live", is the winner of three national book awards: The National Indie Excellence Award—in the ‘Green’ category; The Teen Development Award—in the Pre-teen/nonfiction category; and the National “Best Books 2009” award in the Environment: Green/Alternative Energy/Conservation" category.

RM: Where can we purchase your book?

JV: You can find my book through Amazon.com or you can order through your local bookstore.

Thank you Jill! Mrs. Vanderwood grew up in Portland, Oregon with 7 sisters and 3 brothers. She now lives in Utah with her husband, Bill, frequently making up stories for their grandchildren.