Leaf Town Forever

Leaf Town Forever is the Rooney sisters' first children's book. Leaf Town Forever is illustrated by Betsy Bowen and forthcoming from University of Minnesota Press in October of 2025.

Leaf Town seems to spring up out of nowhere. One day the clearing outside the school is empty, and the next it’s a bustling town complete with a hotel, shop, and mayor. Children gather together, finding treasures everywhere: feathers, acorns, lost rings, an old medal, and plenty of leaves and pine needles. They even uncover a silver skeleton key in the muddy banks of a nearby creek, proclaiming it the heart of Leaf Town. As the town grows, it attracts the attention of the kids from up the street, and a colossal fight threatens to destroy everything that was built. But the heart of Leaf Town is saved, and the kids rally together to rebuild their city, expanding to welcome the neighboring kids and all sorts of birds and animals. They hang a sign, “Leaf Town Forever,” and pass the key to the next generation of children who will look after their beloved town.

Based on a true story, Leaf Town Forever is the gentle tale of a town created by children with vivid imaginations, a timeless saga written in haiku that reminds both kids and adults that some dreams are worth protecting. Unfurling over the cycle of seasons, this is the story of an enchanting place full of tenacity and hope, creativity and fun—a connection to the natural world that’s within reach for us all if we get together to make and maintain it.