Although only ten years old, Leman shows a maturity older than his years. His father taught him the importance of being responsible, helping one's family, and spending money wisely. When Leman's father dies unexpectedly, he takes his father's words of advice seriously and unselfishly pulls through for his mother. A picture book for children, Shoes as a Necktie teaches young readers the important lesson of being responsible and, in Leman's case, frugal. He doesn't care what others think when he wears his shoes around his neck. He knows he's making a difference in his mother's and his lives, and that's the important thing.