Leaf

by William Sells, Michael S. Bracco (Illustrator)

"Here we go again, with, 'The trees are disappearing, the trees are disappearing!' Come on, Leaf, no one else believes this fairytale except you and your hero father. Look around us. We don't see anything but trees." Everyone believes that Leaf and his visionary father have lost their minds when they say that people are cutting down the trees-the primordial, sturdy trees that have sheltered their colony throughout the ages and stood strong against all enemies. Even Leaf's principal has tried to get him to doubt his father, who has sailed far beyond their tree home and seen the devastation in the mysterious Lands Unknown. But the humans aren't the leaf colony's only concern, they quickly realize. When their ancient enemies, the ants, attack their tree home with three massive armies (complete with wolf-spiders, leaf-cutting caterpillars, and hornets as air support), the leaf colony must decide who they should believe, who they should follow, and whether they should stay and defend their families, community, and ancient homeland. "It's a dangerous world out there, young Eric's son," he's told, but twelve-year-old Leaf and his friends Garland, Twig, and Nut, along with Leaf's nemesis, Shady and his cohorts Rake and Stump, must work together and use their wits, their swords, and their bows and arrows to help their colony make the right decisions and battle the ants. Leaf has always dreamed of having an adventure like this, but it is one with unknown dangers and unlikely friends around every bloom in a branch, every bend in a brook, and every twig boat in the bay. As his mother and father, friends, and entire colony get caught up in fighting the ants, will they make the right decision-or will the ants, and humans, take away everything they have always counted on? Join Leaf and his friends as they experience the adventure of a lifetime, discover the true meaning of family, friendship, and community, and help nurture their forest realm in this exciting adventure by author William Sells.

178 pages, Hardcover

First published October 23, 2012

Reviews

[Lisa Logan-roussell · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I truly enjoyed reading this book together. It is a coming of age hero story fit for everyone. A good family read. The best part was sharing time together with my almost 8 year old. He would beg me to read more every session even though it was past his bedtime. He has a special copy of the book, signed to him by William Sells and illustrated to him by Michael Bracco. After we finished the book, he took it from me, smiling with satisfaction, turned to the front of the book, studied the cover, then turned to the personalized pages in the front, looked at them and touched them. I could tell he prized the book, the personalization and our time shared together reading the book. I hope there is a sequel soon, while he is still young enough to cuddle up with me and read. Thanks William and Michael for your art and heart.