Guided by his friend the Old Oak Tree, Johnny embarks on an imaginary journey of discovery and learns that even a small boy can help care for the world. He learns about landfills and the importance of recycling. Author Rachael Paulson's sensible approach to protecting the environment, in addition to the exciting projects and paper-making recipe, empowers children and gives them the tools to make a difference in their world.

Johnny imagines himself a courageous knight fighting trash-breathing dragons of the landfills. The majestic Old Oak Tree provides Johnny with clues that ultimately lead him to the recycling plant where he solves the mystery of the recycling loop. On this trek into Johnny's imagination, readers learn that recycling is more than saving newspapers and taking them to the curb. First, we use a product; then we return the packaging to a recycling facility where it can be turned into something new; and finally, we need to look for and purchase products featuring the recycling arrows, which identify packaging made from recycled materials.