Happy Book Birthday to THE WOODS!
In this middle-grade novel, twelve-year-old Lenora’s world is turned upside down after an explosion makes her the lone surviving member of her immediate family. She has nowhere to go, until her estranged Uncle Richard shows up and takes her away to live with him in his lonely mansion. Quiet and stern, he spends most of his time in his study conducting research and experimenting. Lenora is able to explore parts of the mansion and its lovely gardens, but Uncle Richard has one rule for her: Stay out of the woods.
Years ago, Lenora’s cousin, Bobby went into Gilgevnah Woods and never came out. Now, Uncle Richard will do anything he can to destroy them. Lenora knows she is meant to stay away, but her grief and loneliness draw her in.
Upon entering the woods, she finds a world full of enchantment and beauty. Lenora befriends Bela the Scorlaman, keeper of Gilgevnah Woods, who shows her the wonder and the mystery of the place, but also promises to reunite her with her family. Is it too good to be true?
Will Lenora find peace in the magic of Gilgevnah Woods, or will she find something darker?
The Woods is an entrancing magical realism novel from author R.L. Toalson that tackles profound loss, grief, and finally, acceptance.
We’re so happy you’re at our party for THE WOODS. Join in the fun…
PARTY LOCATION…
In the middle of a fantastical, slightly spooky forest.
PARTY SOUNDS…
Anything written by Danny Elfman
PARTY FOOD…
Strawberry cake, biscuits and gravy, eggs cooked many ways–scrambled, fried, poached, baked into a delectable quiche. And probably chocolate cake because there can never be too much cake.
PARTY GAMES…
Hide and seek, because the forest is dark and full of great hiding places; Build-a-Robot station, where party-goers will begin with a collection of random materials and will have to build some kind of robot.
PARTY FAVORS…
Compostable pots with flower seeds; a small rhinoceros figurine, in honor of Uncle Richard’s greatest invention; and a small journal for recording scientific observations.
THE WOODS is written by R.L. Toalson and published by Yellow Jacket. You can buy this book at the retailers below…
R.L.Toalson has always been captivated by woods, particularly the piney woods of Texas. Her visits to woods have taken her to dark places, hopeful places, and humorous places (she once watched her husband try to tackle the above-ground tree roots in the woods of Huntsville State Park and, instead, fly over the handlebars of his bike). Woods are magical, mysterious places that often find their way into her stories. She is the author of the middle grade novel in verse, THE COLORS OF THE RAIN, and silly kid poetry that has been published online and in print publications around the world. Visit her at www.rltoalson.com.
Did you have fun at the party? Tell the author in the comments!
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