Leaf is a tiny stick creature called a Twig. He lives in an old forest at the foot of an ancient volcano capped by a vast glacier the Long Ice. Leaf often entertains his mischievous, younger, twin brothers with stories about the rare beasts that still survive on the Long Ice even though it shrinks more and more as the seasons grow hotter. One afternoon, the twins run away to play in the vanishing ice and snow. They hitch a ride on a giant moth, befriend a snowshoe bunny, and stumble upon a hermit's creepy cave. Mistaking the hermit's odd pets for a cave beast's meal, the twins rescue them all. When a bold mountain goat kid leaps into the expedition, a mighty eagle called Slayer attacks Panicked, the Twig twins and their terrified companions rush into the glacier's icy tunnels, and are soon bewildered by a maze of melting blue tubes. Yet all is not lost, for with the help of a courageous pika, Leaf and the grumpy hermit join forces to find the twins. But in a dreadful turn of events, it is the snow beasts of the Long Ice that will decide their fate. Twigs live in a fragile world of old forests and magnificent glaciers threatened by climate change, yet Twigs stick together to survive. Royalties are shared with nature conservancy nonprofits that protect wildlife and forests. Twig Stories are illustrated by D.W. Murray, a Disney artist. His credits include Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and Curious George. He is a recipient of the New York Society of Illustrators Gallery and the 2004 Gold Aurora Award. Praise for Leaf & the Long Ice "Excellent storytelling combined with accurate science make this book a must-read for children interested in nature and stories of adventure." Sarah Boon, PhD, Alberta Water and Environmental Science University of Lethbridge "The theme of environmental change is woven into the narrative as a backdrop to a story of adventure, danger, camaraderie, and kindness. Readers of all ages will relate to the magic that draws Buddy and Burba to the snow in the first place, and will be reminded of our connection to Earth's changing cryosphere." Dr. Gwenn Flowers, Canada Research Chair in Glaciology Simon Fraser University "Leaf & the Long Ice is a must-have in your library. Rich fictional characters, vivid word imagery, evocative sensorial language, and layered science content... Jo Marshall gives us a great age-appropriate teaching tool that helps lay a foundation for students in fostering a nature care-taker's ethic." Clay Heilman, Environmental Educator Nature Vision

When a melting glacier bursts through an ice dam, the Rushing Waters river is set loose on an old growth forest. The flood surrounds an ancient tree, where impish, stick creatures - the Old Seeder Twigs - are stranded. Their fate is tied to an enormous, sinister beaver named Slapper - the chomper colony leader. A young Twig named Leaf and his fearless friend Rustle fly on a gigantic leaf over dangerous grasslands seeking help from the fearsome Slapper. Unexpectedly, jittery chipmunks and a mysterious Twig stranger join the perilous mission, and offer protection. Still, the journey proves far more treacherous than imagined, and their chance to rescue Leaf's tree home fades. Time is growing very short. The Old Seeder is drowning. A goliath beaver must build a mighty dam, but will he even try? Twigs live in a fragile world of old forests and magnificent glaciers threatened by climate change, yet Twigs stick together to survive. Royalties are shared with nature conservancy nonprofits that protect wildlife and forests. Twig stories are illustrated by D.W. Murray, a Disney artist. His credits include Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and Curious George. He is a recipient of the New York Society of Illustrators Gallery and the 2004 Gold Aurora Award.

Far to the north of a lush, ancient forest, another forest is dying - infested by swarms of bark beetles. There, a family of impish, stick creatures called Twigs are forced to hide in a cave, or be devoured by the ravenous barkbiters. In the South Forest, a young Twig named Leaf hears of their plight, and attempts a foolhardy rescue. But instead, Leaf leads them into even greater danger. Now they are pursued by barkbiters and fire Still, the desperate Twigs have courageous companions. Three loyal salamanders and a fearless, misplaced chameleon guard the Twigs during their escape over a barren ridge. In their darkest moments, a spirit bear stalks them. And the barkbiters are relentless as they swarm after the Twigs. Soon the firestorm panics all the forest creatures But there is one passage south, if only the Twigs discover it in time Twigs live in a fragile world of old forests and magnificent glaciers threatened by climate change, yet Twigs stick together to survive Royalties are shared with wildlife protection and climate change research nonprofits. Twig stories are illustrated by D.W. Murray, an award-winning Disney artist. His credits include Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and Curious George. He is a recipient of the New York Society of Illustrators Gallery and the 2004 Gold Aurora Award.