Born in 1914, Joe Purdon was one of North America’s early conservationists. After stumbling as a child upon a cluster of Showy Lady’s Slippers in bloom, Joe dedicated his life to protecting these rare orchids. In this picture book, award-winning author and illustrator Ian Wallace depicts how Joe Purdon became a steward of a fragile piece of land in Eastern Ontario. Thanks to his passion, diligence and generosity, the Purdon Conservation Area (now the Mississippi Valley Conservation Area) was established in 1982. It is home to one of the largest colonies of Showy Lady’s Slippers in North America.

In this first book of Robert Stanek's multilayered epic fantasy, three heroes set out on an epic journey of discovery only to find that at the end of their journey nothing is what they thought it was and that their world is undergoing a transformation that will change everything. Survival in a changing world depends on their ability to adapt and if they fail, their world and everything they believe in will perish.

Elf Queen's Quest is book one in the Ruin Mist Dark Path and is an alternate telling of the original Ruin Mist Chronicles books. The Dark Path is meant for devoted fans who have already finished Keeper Martin's Tale, Kingdom Alliance, Fields of Honor, and Mark of the Dragon, and want to experience the original story from a different viewpoint.

Fifteen-year-old Creel is floored when her aunt suggests they sacrifice her to a dragon to attract the attention of a marriageable knight. But when the dragon appears, Creel bargains for her life - and ends up with an unusual pair of blue slippers. It’s not until the slippers are stolen by a princess that Creel learns a terrible truth: the slippers are made from the hide of a dragon queen, and enable the wearer to control all the dragons in the land. Now under the command of the princess, who is eager to start a war, the dragons begin to attack the city. Creel must join forces with the king’s son and others to break the slippers’ hold before the princess and the dragons destroy the city - or before the king’s archers kill the dragons - whichever comes first.

Teachers around the US are starting to discover Robert Stanek's Ruin Mist books and if you want to use the books in your classroom, this wonderful resource can help. What you get is a classroom handbook for students with clear easy to read text. Includes the full text of the book, The Kingdoms and the Elves of the Reaches, plus a special introduction, vocabulary builders, student activities, word searches, word jumbles, word sorts, and review questions.

Explores the origins and history of the Chinese practice of binding the feet of young girls, discussing the social, aesthetic, and cultural reasons for the practice

Three unlikely companions set out on a quest to reunite the divided peoples of Ruin Mist before evil envelopes it completely.

4 complete novels, over 1,000 pages in print, full-color artwork. Enter a world of titans and dragons, men and elves. The #1 Fiction bestseller! From #1 bestselling author Robert Stanek, the complete fantasy series that has been read and enjoyed by readers all over the world. BOOK #1 - Three unlikely heroes have the power to change everything. This powerful fantasy novel will delight the young and the young at heart. Inside, you'll discover the breathtaking world of Ruin Mist where the mystical and the magical abound, and you'll fall in love with a boy who would become a mage, a princess who is fleeing a dying kingdom, and a warrior elf who undertakes an epic journey. BOOK #2 takes us deeper into the unraveling mysteries of a world being torn apart by unseen hands and ancient prophecies. Thirteen-year-old Adrina finally got her wish to journey beyond Imtal, but at a cost that weighs upon her soul. Vilmos’s epic journey into manhood continues. Though he was forced to confront the powers within himself and to flee the only home he’s ever known, he trudges on. Meanwhile, betrayed by his own people, Seth fights to survive against all odds. BOOK #3 takes us one step further into the unraveling mysteries of a world being torn apart by ancient prophecies and the machinations of warring peoples. Galan, the beautiful lady elf, is dying. Her life hangs by the barest of threads and only Seth can save her. Vilmos’s decision to train as a mage has come at a great price and now he must journey with Xith to the Mouth of the World. BOOK #4 brings to a close the epic fantasy adventure of Adrina, Vilmos and Seth. Vilmos finds himself lost to the darkness within himself and at odds with everything he has even known. Back in Imtal, Adrina and Valam work together to turn more kingdomers and council members to the cause of the elves. Meanwhile, Emel has undertaken a journey to find answers about the Orb of Power. *** Fully linked and cross-linked with links to individual books and chapters within books. Extras: Lost chapters and scenes restored; the meeting of Xith and Vilmos as originally written; the story of Ruin Mist completely unaltered to hint at the story's origins in ancient myth and legend. "Sure to attract fans of graphic novels and classic Tolkien alike. Stanek will likely draw a cult following. This guarantees fans, and those fans will be ready to wield their swords against the Dark Lord in Stanek's next installment." -- VOYA, the leading magazine for Young Adult librarians. "Robert Stanek is one of our most featured and respected Kids & Young Adults authors." -- The Audio Book Store "Word of mouth turned it into a bestseller. Very satisfying." -- The Fantasy Guide "A breathtaking world and an excellent epic fantasy series! This wonderful adventure reminds me of a cross between J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling, Tad Williams, and C. S. Lewis." "Stanek [has] a penchant for clear and simple prose. He also prefers swift, action-oriented scenes. Solidly built. Stanek moves among his main characters with ease, always switching at a climactic moment to maintain suspense. The accessible, brisk language keeps things moving." --Foreword Magazine