In “Southcrop Forest”, we enter into a magical mythical place in which the trees can feel, see, sense, and talk. In this amazing place we meet the lovable, adorable young oak tree by the name of Auja. Like her other friends of the forest, she is worried that the Hewmen will destroy their home in Southcrop. Then one spring day as she was taking the yearly census of the many animals that call her branches home she happened upon a remarkable sight. Auja discovered that the colony of caterpillars were no ordinary colony but the long forgotten legendary Runes. The trees of Southcrop decide that they must enlist Furs help to save their home. Auja then has to convince Fur to leave the safety of her branches and carry the gems of the forest to the far away Riverside Farm. Starting out with a colony of over 250 crawlers Fur must engage in the fight of his life. Connected to Auja and the other trees of Southcrop by what is known as Southcrop vision, Fur embarks on the long and dangerous journey. Losing crawlers along the way to the elements, predators, and Hewmen Fur finally crosses the Hewmens bridge. Now with only a colony of 18 he has finally completed his promise to Auja. Fur and his colony can now finally spin their cocoons.

Lorne Rothman has created a brilliant novel that sheds a new light on the plight of forest devastation. Writing “Southcrop Forest” for a young set of readers Rothman is sure to entertain and educate. “Southcrop Forest” is a book that should be read by all school age children and adults alike. With lyrical content and an in-depth conclusion of notes by the author one cannot go wrong with reading “Southcrop Forest”.