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The Lost Forest
A forest doesn’t need a map to know where to grow. But people need a map to find it. And in 1882 when surveyors set out to map a part of Minnesota, they got confused and somehow mapped a great swath of ancient trees as a lake. For more than seventy-five years, the mistake stayed on the map, and the forest remained safe from logging—no lumber baron expects to find timber in a lake, after all.
The Lost Forest tells the story of this lucky error and of the 144 acres of old-growth red and white pine it preserved. With gentle humor, Phyllis Root introduces readers to the men at their daunting task, trekking across Minnesota, measuring and marking the vast land into townships and sections and quarters. She takes us deep into a stand of virgin pine, one of the last and largest in the state, where U.S. history and natural history meet. With the help of Betsy Bowen’s finely observed and beautiful illustrations, she shows us all the life that can be found in the Lost Forest.
Accompanying the story is a wealth of information about the Cadastral Survey and about the plants and animals that inhabit forests—making the book a valuable guide for readers who might want to look even deeper into the history of Minnesota, the flora and fauna of old-growth forests, and the apportioning of land in America.
The Lost Forest tells the story of this lucky error and of the 144 acres of old-growth red and white pine it preserved. With gentle humor, Phyllis Root introduces readers to the men at their daunting task, trekking across Minnesota, measuring and marking the vast land into townships and sections and quarters. She takes us deep into a stand of virgin pine, one of the last and largest in the state, where U.S. history and natural history meet. With the help of Betsy Bowen’s finely observed and beautiful illustrations, she shows us all the life that can be found in the Lost Forest.
Accompanying the story is a wealth of information about the Cadastral Survey and about the plants and animals that inhabit forests—making the book a valuable guide for readers who might want to look even deeper into the history of Minnesota, the flora and fauna of old-growth forests, and the apportioning of land in America.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 2, 2019
107 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Root
108 books72 followers"Picture books are performances," says Phyllis Root, quoting some sage advice she once received. "They're performances that involve a child--something both of you do. And once I started thinking of them that way, I started getting much looser about making up words and playing around with rhythm."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
Phyllis Root picked up an early affinity for colloquial language while growing up in Indiana and southern Illinois, "where people actually say things like, 'I got a hitch in my git-along'!" She decided to be a writer in the fifth grade, but it wasn't until she was thirty years old that she took a writing course with an influential teacher who gave her "the tools" she says she needed. "That's when I figured out that you could learn to be a writer," she says. What followed was a series of rollicking stories that take on a new life when read aloud, among them ONE DUCK STUCK, a one-of-a-kind counting book; KISS THE COW!, an affectionate salute to stubbornness; WHAT BABY WANTS, a tale of increasingly ridiculous efforts to quiet an infant that one reviewer compared to an episode of I LOVE LUCY, and LOOKING FOR A MOOSE, a buoyant tale with a final surprise discovery.
The author does "endless rewriting" before a book is finished, but often starts out by writing her stories in her head, a trick she learned as a time-pressed mother when her two daughters were very young. For example, RATTLETRAP CAR--a joyful celebration of perseverance--began with her playing around with sounds ("clinkety clankety, bing bang pop!") and calling up bits of old camp songs.
A master of rhythmic read-alouds, Phyllis Root exhibits a range many writers would envy. Her counting book TEN SLEEPY SHEEP is as serene and lulling as ONE DUCK STUCK is rambunctious. "Counting sheep isn't always easy," she notes. "Once, while we were farm-sitting, my daughter and I had to chase down two runaway lambs in the growing darkness, then count twenty-seven frisky lambs to make sure they were all safe for the night. Luckily, they were." OLIVER FINDS HIS WAY is a quiet, classic picture book about a defining moment in the life of a small child--getting lost and having the pluck to find the way home. On the other extreme, Phyllis Root takes on no less than the whole universe in BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD, a powerful, original, down-home creation myth that received rave reviews and won the prestigious BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK Award. Most recently, Phyllis Root penned LUCIA AND THE LIGHT, a timeless adventure about one brave girl's quest that was inspired by Nordic lore.
When she's not writing, Phyllis Root teaches at Vermont College's MFA in Writing for Children program. She lives with her two daughters and two cats in a 100-year-old house in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and loves to read (mostly mysteries with female protagonists) or spend time outdoors gardening, camping, sailing, or traveling. "One of the things I've learned about myself," she confides, "is that when I get really stuck and can't seem to get writing, it's because I've forgotten to take time out to play."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 16, 2020
This is one of three picture books I had left over from my stash of paper books I’d borrowed from the library before the pandemic shut things down. I’ve read/watched the other items I’d borrowed in early March/later February. I haven’t been in the mood to read them but in anticipation of reopening or at least be able to return library materials I’m attempting to finish the library books I have at home.
This real life history story is definitely worth 5 stars and I’m glad I leaned about what happened.
The book is wonderfully done, with maps (I always appreciate maps in books) and the story of what occurred and how the forest was eventually found, giving information about old growth forests and the plants & animals that live in their habitats, old growth forests in Minnesota where the lost forest was eventually properly identified, and information about surveyors including their implements and some applicable vocabulary, etc. There are many good illustrations and a couple of historical photographs. I thought that some of the illustrations were lovely.
I was elated reading about how the forest was “lost” because of how it had been identified as a lake and enjoyed reading about the trees that kept growing. If only humans had less of a footprint on the land/ecosystem. I felt sad when I thought about how not knowing it was there was what it took for it not to be cut down. I’m grateful for what old growth forest remains worldwide and sad that so much is gone.
The story of what happened is told in a straightforward manner. It’s interesting enough, I suppose.
Story and illustrations 3-1/2 stars. Real non-fiction story that needs to be told 5 stars. It’s a good book and I’m glad that I read it and glad that I learned about this forest.
This real life history story is definitely worth 5 stars and I’m glad I leaned about what happened.
The book is wonderfully done, with maps (I always appreciate maps in books) and the story of what occurred and how the forest was eventually found, giving information about old growth forests and the plants & animals that live in their habitats, old growth forests in Minnesota where the lost forest was eventually properly identified, and information about surveyors including their implements and some applicable vocabulary, etc. There are many good illustrations and a couple of historical photographs. I thought that some of the illustrations were lovely.
I was elated reading about how the forest was “lost” because of how it had been identified as a lake and enjoyed reading about the trees that kept growing. If only humans had less of a footprint on the land/ecosystem. I felt sad when I thought about how not knowing it was there was what it took for it not to be cut down. I’m grateful for what old growth forest remains worldwide and sad that so much is gone.
The story of what happened is told in a straightforward manner. It’s interesting enough, I suppose.
Story and illustrations 3-1/2 stars. Real non-fiction story that needs to be told 5 stars. It’s a good book and I’m glad that I read it and glad that I learned about this forest.
June 29, 2019
A fascinating and fact-filled story of a surveyor's mistake that led to forty acres of Minnesota forest remaining untouched for 350 years, now a part of a National Forest. The language is sprightly and comforting, filled with creatures and plants, a whole ecosystem. The absorbing back matter invites the reader to explore, learn new language, and see themselves in the past - as well as visit the lost forest. This dream team of author and illustrator has once again made a beautiful, thoughtful celebration of nature.
February 29, 2020
The Lost Forest This book really touched me. I had tears in my eyes by the end, so grateful that Josiah R. King and his survey crew had failed to map the forest -- and wishing that many more survey crews had made a similar "mistake" so that we had more of these precious spots of unspoiled land to enjoy and preserve today. The story is told in a captivating and almost lyrical way, including plenty of facts without losing the beauty and heart. The back matter is extensive and excellent: What Makes an Old Growth Forest?; Who Found the Lost Forty?; Where to See Old Growth Forest in Minnesota; What Lives in an Old Growth Forest? [many plants and birds listed here]; Measuring the Land [about the work of survey crews]; How to Talk Like a Surveyor; How to Dress Like a Surveyor; and, finally, some actual photographs of survey crews from the early 1900s, including the one of King and his crew (which was drawn as part of an illustration in the book). My son (almost 7) was also captivated by the book and asked for rereads. Highly recommended to anyone who loves nature!
August 17, 2020
3.75 stars, it's a cool story. And the best part about this story is its nonfiction; it's true!
You can visit the Lost Forest in northern Minnesota to see an old growth forest with trees that are so tall you might not be able to see to the top of them or wrap your arms around them. Now that I know about it, it's on my list of places to visit in Minnesota.
You can visit the Lost Forest in northern Minnesota to see an old growth forest with trees that are so tall you might not be able to see to the top of them or wrap your arms around them. Now that I know about it, it's on my list of places to visit in Minnesota.
September 8, 2019
This is one of my favorite picture books in a long time, and that's saying a lot as we have thousands. :) Phyllis Root is such a gifted children's author, and this is such an interesting story. She tells the true story of a forest that was "lost" in time because surveyors accidentally marked it as a lake and logging companies didn't know it was there. Because of this, enormous trees were able to survive when just about everything else in the area was sadly logged.
This sounds like it could be way too depressing to be a good children's book and it does certainly make you mad and sad, but the gentle tone, light humor, gorgeous art and interesting text at the end keep it from being a depressing book. The back section has a really extensive non-fiction area where kids can learn more about what happened and also find out where they can visit old growth forests (including the one in the story) and lots more.
Another reviewer said this would only be of interest to Minnesotans, which I find incredibly sad and frankly, wrong. I happen to live in Minnesota (on the prairie, far from the forest) but I found the book through a glowing blog post about it from a reviewer who does not. What appealed to me to seek it out was that it was written by Phyllis Root (do take the time to check out her other books, because they are all delights) and because of the true story and focus on preserving nature. Saying this would only be of interest to Minnesotans is like saying that a book about the African savanna would only be interesting to Africans. It's a rather bizarre statement.
This sounds like it could be way too depressing to be a good children's book and it does certainly make you mad and sad, but the gentle tone, light humor, gorgeous art and interesting text at the end keep it from being a depressing book. The back section has a really extensive non-fiction area where kids can learn more about what happened and also find out where they can visit old growth forests (including the one in the story) and lots more.
Another reviewer said this would only be of interest to Minnesotans, which I find incredibly sad and frankly, wrong. I happen to live in Minnesota (on the prairie, far from the forest) but I found the book through a glowing blog post about it from a reviewer who does not. What appealed to me to seek it out was that it was written by Phyllis Root (do take the time to check out her other books, because they are all delights) and because of the true story and focus on preserving nature. Saying this would only be of interest to Minnesotans is like saying that a book about the African savanna would only be interesting to Africans. It's a rather bizarre statement.
February 6, 2020
Wow, this book was super interesting! While giving lots of information about flora and fauna in Northern Minnesota, it also tells the story of a mis-labeled plot of land leading to the preservation of an old growth forest (a rarity in the much-valued timber boom of the early 1800s). The "Lost Forty" is now a protected National Park, but it is easy to imagine what could have happened if the original surveyor hadn't made the mistake of mapping a lake in the wrong place!
I liked the story and the illustrations, but also really loved the inclusion of historical facts, photographs, journals, a glossary, and even a website where you could go to learn more about surveying!
I liked the story and the illustrations, but also really loved the inclusion of historical facts, photographs, journals, a glossary, and even a website where you could go to learn more about surveying!
May 31, 2019
A solid three stars for the interesting history of this lost forest. Plus an extra star for being a Minnesota-based story.
September 26, 2019
Extremely well-crafted and thoughtfully written story of a mapping mistake that accidentally preserved an old growth forest. Compellingly told and beautifully illustrated. Highly recommended for ages 6-9. Great companion to curriculum on mapping, forest ecology, or making mistakes.
June 7, 2019
Nicely put together book about a forgotten area in the Minnesota timberland.
July 3, 2022
This charming picture book tells the story of a very special place. Due to a surveying mishap in 1882 that rendered it more or less invisible, a small square of land in northern Minnesota remained untouched by the logging industry for three quarters of a century. In 1958 the error was finally discovered, and the forest service was thrilled to discover this precious patch of old-growth forest, one of few that remain in Minnesota. It was thrilling to learn about this location in my home state of Minnesota, and now it's on my list of places to go!
November 4, 2019
I like this book because it was about a forest that was marked as a lake, so this part stood tall, and this was the only part left of the big forest. Probably it was a big piece of land; I don't know, I never visited it so I don't know how big it was. Probably like a hundred things, and the other thing, like the bigger forest, was infinity, probably.
October 8, 2022
I'm still not sure I understand. If it's because of a misplaced lake, what happened when someone bought a section of lumber and found a lake on it? This is a book for older children, at least 8 or 9.
April 9, 2019
Fantastic. Both the story and the illustrations are wonderful.
June 20, 2025
Minnesota author/illustrator team Phyllis Root and Betsy Bowen, who collaborated on three previous picture books—
Big Belching Bog
in 2010, and
One North Star: A Counting Book
and
Plant a Pocket of Prairie
in 2016—joined forces again for this look at the "Lost Forty"—a patch of old growth forest in Minnesota that was surveyed incorrectly in 1882, leading it to escape the deforestation experienced in most of the rest of that state. The narrative described the history of surveying in the US, the process of surveying—what the surveyors needed and what they did—and how this lucky mistake, in which the Lost Forty was marked on the map as a lake, allowed this patch of forest to survive, eventually becoming part of the Chippewa National Forest. The book closes with extensive back matter, giving more information about old growth forests—where to find them in Minnesota and the flora and fauna living there—about surveyors and their tools and vocabulary, and about the survey mistake that saved this natural wonder...
Published in 2019 by the University of Minnesota Press, which also published the three previous titles from this author/illustrator team, The Lost Forest is a title I had to track down through interlibrary loan, as the only book by Root and Bowen my local libraries owns is Plant a Pocket of Prairie . It is the third book from these creators I have read, and I look forward to tracking down the fourth, One North Star: A Counting Book . In any case, I found this one immensely engaging, loving both the story and information presented by Root and the lovely artwork from Bowen. I am a great fan of her woodcut illustrations, and these lived up to my expectations! I found myself thinking, while reading this one, how fortunate that "mistake" was, that spared the Lost Forty (as it is known in Minnesota), and imagining scenarios in which it was deliberate, either due to some desire on the surveyors' part to protect it, or through some other force. A few story ideas have already occurred to me! Given my love of Bowen's work, I've been tracking down and reading a number of Minnesota-focused titles recently, and I am glad of it, despite having spent almost no time in that state. But the trend certainly has made me think I should seek out similar titles about my current home state of New Jersey. Recommended to young nature lovers, or to picture book readers interested in history and its sometimes quirky and unusual stories.
Published in 2019 by the University of Minnesota Press, which also published the three previous titles from this author/illustrator team, The Lost Forest is a title I had to track down through interlibrary loan, as the only book by Root and Bowen my local libraries owns is Plant a Pocket of Prairie . It is the third book from these creators I have read, and I look forward to tracking down the fourth, One North Star: A Counting Book . In any case, I found this one immensely engaging, loving both the story and information presented by Root and the lovely artwork from Bowen. I am a great fan of her woodcut illustrations, and these lived up to my expectations! I found myself thinking, while reading this one, how fortunate that "mistake" was, that spared the Lost Forty (as it is known in Minnesota), and imagining scenarios in which it was deliberate, either due to some desire on the surveyors' part to protect it, or through some other force. A few story ideas have already occurred to me! Given my love of Bowen's work, I've been tracking down and reading a number of Minnesota-focused titles recently, and I am glad of it, despite having spent almost no time in that state. But the trend certainly has made me think I should seek out similar titles about my current home state of New Jersey. Recommended to young nature lovers, or to picture book readers interested in history and its sometimes quirky and unusual stories.
August 19, 2019
Back in the 1800s, when surveyors were sent out to map the land that was becoming the United States, a group of surveyors in Minnesota - by mistake or perhaps design - misrepresented an area of forty acres as a lake rather than the pine forest it was. This forest quietly continued to grow over the years as no one expressed an interest in buying the plot. 76 years later, someone discovered the error and asked to have the land remapped. The "Lost Forty" was eventually reclassified as "forest" and became a part of the National Forest (protected!) that grew all around it. Now it is considered an "old-growth" forest (a forest whose trees are at least 120 years old) - a rare type of forest that escaped the notice of loggers (in this care, by chance!). These forests provide a unique habitat for many plants and animals. A wonderful picture book story about the "Lost Forty," that should appeal to young environmentalists. Back matter explains more about old growth forests, surveyors and surveying, and the kinds of living things that make their homes there.
August 17, 2019
What a fun and unusual book! I loved reading this tale of how this old forest was saved by a surveying error. I love that "you can go today and walk under trees so tall you have to crane your neck to see their tops. ... You can walk through time and see the woods as it used to be ... ." The illustrations are terrific, portraying the human history and the natural history with accuracy and heart. So glad my local bookseller put this book into my hands!
September 13, 2020
this is a must-read for young tree-lovers, nature-lovers, & conservationists. What started out a simple mistake is now a wonder for eyes to see. Had surveyors in the late 1800's surveyed this part of the Minnesota correctly, chances are this 114 acres stand of old growth forest would no longer be here
today. An interesting story. A wealth of additional information is found in the back matter. Love the color palette used in the illustrations and the end pages, too.
today. An interesting story. A wealth of additional information is found in the back matter. Love the color palette used in the illustrations and the end pages, too.
May 21, 2019
Informative, with interesting and colorful illustrations. The story is well-written, though not very engagingly told. I’m not sure it would hold the interest of many children, but will likely be of interest to midwesterners/northerners with an interest in history and/or conservation of natural resources.
August 2, 2019
Super interesting! Now I have to find an opportunity to go visit the Lost Forty with my family someday!
The text is engaging and simple, written very poetically, but it still gets the important facts across. The illustrations aren't my favorite style, but they still do a good job of conveying extra information and setting the mood.
Excellent backmatter.
The text is engaging and simple, written very poetically, but it still gets the important facts across. The illustrations aren't my favorite style, but they still do a good job of conveying extra information and setting the mood.
Excellent backmatter.
November 20, 2019
A fascinating true tale of an old growth forest in Minnesota that got "lost" because of an error in mapmaking and was consequently saved from being devastated by logging. An interesting way to explore mapmaking, geography, colonization, and preservation. And a great spur to visit some old growth forests in the Midwest.
Read
January 22, 2023How do you lose an entire forest? That is what happened when Minnesota was first mapped. A forest was mapped in as a lake, which protected the hardwood forest from being destroyed by logging. A simple mistake on a map had lasting effects in the preservation and the survival of Minnesota's oldest forest.
April 22, 2019
This would probably be of the most interest to those from or in Minnesota. It's interesting though, I had not ever heard of the forest in question. To be honest, I'm a little skeptical of the circulation for this book (librarian) but we shall see.
May 22, 2019
One of my favorite things about children's nonfiction is that I get to learn about all kinds of stuff that I would have never heard of otherwise. Now I've got another place to add to my (very long) bucket list!
September 21, 2019
The Lost 40, 18 miles from my childhood home, is a magical place, and I was delighted to find this book! The author and illustrator have used their skills to educate about the environment, historic use of the natural resources of the forest, and the skill of surveying.
December 24, 2025
Cool book about the history of the lost forest. Basically, some surveyors back in the day were in the wrong part of the forest and only found a lake but not a forest. Therefore, this "lost" forest was never on a map. Interesting history and nice illustrations.
April 10, 2019
What a wonderful book to share with young people to spark an interest in the natural world around them!
April 22, 2019
Details how a survey crew mistakenly marked 144 acres in Wisconsin as a lake. The forest was left alone and was consequently turned into National Forest.
May 5, 2019
Beautiful book. Very informative with LOTS of information in the back for those who want to know more about being a surveyor or about plants and animals in old growth forests!
June 13, 2019
Interesting little history!
June 19, 2019
Loved the intrigue of this book and I am so glad (spoiler alert) that the Lost Forest still stands today. Great story. Great facts
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews