Thomas Lehrich, Alpha Zeta (Boston) Alumnus and former High Alpha, surprised many of his Brothers with a talent they never knew he had. While they knew him as a School of Management student and Chapter leader, few realized he was already crafting stories inspired by his early backpacking adventures. From those experiences, Tom created Backpacker Billy and his loyal dog, Shave — two central characters in a growing children’s book series filled with animals, exploration, and heart.
We spoke with Lehrich about the newest installment in The Adventures of Backpacker Billy and Shave, a series that has been featured on the public television show The Writer’s Block and is steadily climbing the Amazon charts for children’s books. Thank you, Tom, for sharing the passion behind your work and the journey that brought this story to life.
Q: What inspired you to begin writing children’s books?
A: My inspiration was to bring nature together with travel using young adventurers. I became a natural storyteller for my children, particularly at sleep time when we would read to them. I noticed they liked the storytelling about places I visited. The imagination ran from there to the series I had started years before. My kids were surprised to learn that for years, I wrote about my trips and created characters that met up and talked to animals. My first story was about an owl in the old-growth forest, and Backpacker Billy meets the owl during his hike. We waited to publish the story later in the series and it is the Utah book just released.
Q: What is your connection with the illustrator, and how do you work together to bring the story to life?
A: An illustrator that can visualize the character and author’s arc for the story and bring it to life is the magic. The illustrator is young and was a student, and we both were publishing for the first time. The best advice I received on completing the illustrations for the characters I developed was from a Fraternity Brother, Mark Swirsky. He said, “Tom, I know you. You have an exact vision of how the characters will look, including the animal and plant colors and style. You need to share that vision with the illustrator and create it together.”
Once I did that, the drawings were a success, and most important, the ability to finish the book. Starting and finishing are the hardest parts.
Q: How did the idea and creation of Backpacker Billy and his dog, Shave, begin?
A: Backpacker Billy is the adventure and journey in all of us. In the book, we bring readers to nature and take the reader on a journey to learn about animal species and plants. Plus, something fun happens for our young readers during the journey, like a volcano erupting. The children are brought through a story where Backpacker Billy meets an animal from nature, and the reader learns and connects with the animal and the environment.
Shave is a special dog. He is a friendly, happy dog that is up for anything and gets along well with all forms of wildlife.
For some background, at an early age, I backpacked with my cousin Danny, just the two of us, as kids. Our first overnight backpacking trip was when we were only 13, all by ourselves. Imagine that! As kids, we would outfit all the gear for multi-day backpacking trips, and my parents would drop us off at the trailhead and pick us up later at a spot off the Appalachian Trail. Those trips took us to the Appalachian Trail and the Adirondack Mountains, creating a passion for me as a young explorer. I think the only thing we would ask my parents for help with was picking up the groceries for our packed meals. My mom and dad reminded me we provided them a food list (we called it our packing list) to get from the grocery store for us to pack. We organized carefully and learned that everything we brought had to be carried in our backpacks.
Q: What is next for Backpacker Billy?
A: We will continue to bring the series to readers. I wrote nearly 10 stories in the series. I learned from and enjoyed creating a group to get feedback on the story and the art. I have a creative and inspiring group of friends and family that are my “creative counsel”. My kids helped with the stories. I have a wonderful illustrator, Brody Cohen, and we have worked to make the visual vivid and engaging.
The story we published about Puget Sound and Seattle, and a unique pod of Orca Whales, called the southern pod, was fun. The southern pod of Orcas is the only on that exists south of the Arctic Circle. We have a book coming out in the spring on Boston and the New England whales.
Q: How can our readers find the Utah spotted owl book and support the series? And lastly, what is Shave’s favorite food?
A: Backpacker Billy is available in bookstores and with Amazon Books. I also donate volumes to local libraries so readers can enjoy reading and sharing the story with a child, grandchild, or friend.
Shave eats pineapple, of course, from his first story in Hawaii. Thank you Lambda Chi Alpha for the opportunity to talk about Backpacker Billy.
“Share the journey with the Backpacker Billy and Shave in all of us.”
Find The Adventures of Backpacker Billy and Shave: Zion National Park and other books in the series at a bookstore near you or on Amazon Books.
About the Series
Red Barn Publishing is excited to bring its newest published book. The Adventures of Backpacker Billy and his trusty dog, Shave, continue in Utah’s Zion Naitonal Park with Spotty the owl and Ranger Richard. Created and written by Tom Lehrich and vivdly illustrated by Brody Cohen, the series follows Backpacker Billy and Shave as they trek Aroudn the globe and learn about wildlife. Be among the first readers to join them in this adventure about the desert habitat and spotted owls. Young and adult leaders alike will enjoy the wonder and adventures of Backpacker Billy and Shave.
