Ancient woods remember everything. Forest Legend: The Tale of Ol’ Split Toe leans into that idea with a story shaped by time, survival, and the uneasy push-and-pull between humanity and the natural world.

With a young adult lens and an environmental thread running through it, this book looks poised to blend adventure with reflection, tracing how one forest—and one extraordinary deer—witnesses generations of change, conflict, and resilience. For readers drawn to nature-centered fiction, time-spanning journeys, and stories that carry both urgency and heart, this one has a lot to catch the eye.

The Tale of Ol' Split Toe

Science & Nature/Environment Science Fiction/Time Travel Literature & Fiction/Action & Adventure

Date Published: 03-31-2026

Publisher: Mission Point Press

Split Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern humans -- who fight to control the natural world -- and Mother Nature, who repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.

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 Dan Ellens is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about connecting people with nature. He spends nearly half of each year in an isolated, electricity-free treehouse on Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary with woodstove heat, handpump water, and oil lamp lighting. 

Dan has written four nonfiction books intended to inspire adventure, promote self-sufficient lifestyles, and connect people with nature.

While not in the wilds, Dan and his wife live in the small community of Salem, Michigan.

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LinkedIn: Daniel S. Ellens

Stories that stay with children often do more than entertain—they give them a safe place to explore big feelings in small, meaningful ways. The kind of story that can be read together one night and revisited later with new understanding.

At its heart, this one leans into quiet bravery—the kind that shows up in uncertain moments, in unlikely friendships, and in learning how to face fears without having to be fearless. There’s a warmth here that feels approachable for younger readers, while still offering enough depth to grow alongside them.

Blending adventure with emotional connection, this story invites readers into a journey where courage looks different for everyone—and where even the smallest steps forward matter.

Date Published: March 10, 2026

Meet Rhea! She is a big, fluffy German Shepherd with a wiggly tail. She is brave and strong, but she has a tiny secret: loud thunder makes her want to hide.

Meet Crowley! He is a clever crow with shiny feathers. But he has a big worry for a bird: looking down from the sky makes him feel dizzy!

One day, on a camping trip, Rhea follows a yummy smell deep into the woods. But as she wanders further and further away from her tent, she gets lost just as big storm clouds begin to gather above her. But she isn't alone in the dark woods. She stumbles upon Crowley, a bird who would rather hop than fly.

Now, this dog and bird must become a team. Can they help each other be brave enough to find Rhea's way back to the campsite?

A story they won't outgrow

A Story That Grows With Your Child! This book features two versions of Rhea and Crowley's adventure:

Read 1 - The Read-Aloud: Short, rhythmic, and full of fun sounds for toddlers (Ages 1-5)

Read 2 -The Early Reader: An expanded story with more details and dialogue for independent readers (Ages 6-9)

G.D's storytelling spark was ignited in the hallowed land of Wales, where his childhood was spent exploring the sea until the legendary midnight summer twilight. His journey led him through academia, earning degrees in Computer Science and Operations Management, culminating in a PhD focused on Virtual Reality. 

​While pursuing his studies in Nottingham, he met his wife. Together, their spirit of adventure took them first to New Zealand, where G.D worked in the video game industry and taught Scuba Diving. A seemingly simple job inquiry brought them to California, a place they planned to "try for one year," and where they still reside almost fourteen years later in Redondo Beach. 

The family, which welcomed their son in 2012, is completed by Rhea, their quirky German Shepherd. Rhea became the key inspiration for G.D's first book, ABC's With Rhea, A doggy journey through the alphabet. Having observed that children learn best through stories, G.D wrote this book to craft a specific, relatable world for each letter, encouraging children to connect deeply with the subject. 

He has recently published his second book, Olly's Journey, and is already hard at work weaving new tales and adventures for his readers. 

G.D's mission is to empower children to pursue their own creative writing journey.

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Someone asks, "So what was the book about?"--and you hesitate before responding—not because you didn't understand the book, but because whatever you say is going to sound smaller than what it actually felt like. You try anyway. You mention the writing, maybe the characters, maybe something vague like "it just worked for me." But even as you're saying it, you can tell that's not really it.

If that's ever happened to you, there's probably a reason—and it has more to do with how you read than what you read.

You're drawn to the atmosphere as much as the story. 

You tend to notice the tone beneath the surface of a scene, not just what's happening on the surface. It's the emotional weight behind the character conversations that draws you in, along with the way tension builds gradually rather than relying on big, dramatic moments. Even when the plot itself is simple, that sense of being inside the characters' world is what really keeps you invested in turning the pages.

You hold onto the small moments more than the big ones. 

It's often not the major twists or action-packed scenes that stay with you. It's a line that felt refreshingly honest, a subtle interaction between main characters, or a moment that could be easily overlooked--but wasn't. Those are the things that make a story feel real to you—even if they're the hardest parts to explain to someone else later.

You sit with a book before you try to explain it. 

You're not in a rush to break a story down the second you finish it. You tend to replay certain moments, reflect on how it all felt, and let it all settle in your mind a bit. So when someone asks for your thoughts right away, it can feel like you're being asked to explain something you're still processing.

When something works, it feels personal. 

Now and then, a book lines up with something in you in a way that's hard to define. It might reflect a mood, a thought, or a point of view you didn't even realize you were carrying. It's not always obvious, and it's not always something you can point to—but you can feel it when it happens.

What stays with you is an overall feeling, not the story's details. 

You might forget some of the book's specifics over time—the order of events, smaller plot happenings, even certain character names. But you don't forget how the book felt while you were reading it (and how it lingered after). That mood, that pull to keep going, the moments that hold you a little longer than expected—that's what sticks.

Not every book you love is going to come with a clear explanation, and it doesn't need one. Some stories stay with you in ways that don't translate easily into words—and that's part of what makes them matter.

Have you ever tried to explain a book you loved and felt like you weren't quite getting it right? What stayed with you—the story itself, or the way it made you feel? 

A story centered on growing up and finding your place can resonate long after the last page is turned. Emma the Elephant brings that journey to life, blending warmth, growth, and heart into a tale that feels both comforting and quietly meaningful.

Perfect for young readers who are beginning to understand making good choices and finding confidence, this story offers a soft, encouraging look at what it means to grow into yourself. With its family-centered guidance, it’s an ideal pick for families, classrooms, or anyone looking to share a story that lingers long after the final page.

Emma is a tale about a young elephant who lives in the Kalahari Desert with her wonderful herd. Emma the Elephant longs to be a strong, wise, and big-hearted elephant like her mother Norma and her many aunties. After learning to make good choices and experiencing hard-won life lessons, Emma the Elephant eventually becomes the elephant she has always wanted to be.

Ms. Alana is a published school teacher and has been spreading a love of learning and reading for decades. She has two wonderful adult children who love to read!

Ms. Alana has always adored elephants; in fact, they are her favorite land animal.

Ms. Alana and her "was-band" lived on a farm in Hawaii where she owned a successful volcano tour company for seven years. She moved from Maui in 2023 and now continues to teach "on the mainland."

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