Before We Stood Tall

Expressive text and art tell the story of the life cycle of trees as it has never been told before — in reverse. Here’s a poetic depiction of the life cycle of trees, told one step at a time, based on newly researched information. In simple but evocative text, each step is introduced with “Before . . . ,” making for a rhythmic telling. For example, “Before we stood tall, we clothed ourselves in bark and crowned ourselves in leaves, waving eagerly at the sun.” In a unique twist, the book highlights the underground network of roots and fungus that connects the forest. Trees and their cycle of life have never been more beautifully — or more lovingly — celebrated.

Expressive text and art tell the story of the life cycle of trees as it has never been told before — in reverse. Here’s a poetic depiction of the life cycle of trees, told one step at a time, based on newly researched information. In simple but evocative text, each step is introduced with “Before . . . ,” making for a rhythmic telling. For example, “Before we stood tall, we clothed ourselves in bark and crowned ourselves in leaves, waving eagerly at the sun.” In a unique twist, the book highlights the underground network of roots and fungus that connects the forest. Trees and their cycle of life have never been more beautifully — or more lovingly — celebrated.

Tree, a six-foot-three-inch twelve-year-old, copes with his parents' recent divorce and his failure as an athlete by helping his grandfather, a Vietnam vet and recent amputee, and Sophie, a new girl at school.

A girl named Ruby moves to a new school and runs into a group of mean girls. With the help of her two new friends she might figure out how to turn the mean girls into nice girls. Can mean girls become nice?

Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do. Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart. But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon knows just what to do about that.

Get Lost. . . and Find What Really Matters We are made for freedom and adventure, friendship and romance. Yet too much of life is spent unfulfilled at work, restless at home, and bored at church. All the while knowing there is something more. You’ll find some of life’s best moments waiting for you over a campfire, on a river—even in that coffee shop or brewery you didn’t know you’d discover along the way. It’s time to begin the search. In the literary spirit of well-worn tales about America’s open road, this poetic, honest, often hilarious collection of essays shows how to embark on adventures that kindle spiritual reflection, personal growth, and deeper family connections. From surfing California’s coastlines, stargazing southwestern deserts, and fly-fishing in remote mountains of Montana, you’ll be inspired to follow the author’s footsteps and use the hand-drawn maps from each chapter to plan your own trips. There you will hear God’s voice – and it may help you find what you’re searching for. “We search mountaintops and valleys, deserts and oceans, hoping sunrises and long views through the canyons will help us discover who we are, or who we still want to be. The language of our hearts reflects that of creation because in both are fingerprints of God.” —Roger W. Thompson