Children's Storytime: Leaf Town Forever by Kathleen Rooney & Beth Rooney

Sat Nov 01 2025 at 10:30 am to 11:00 am UTC-05:00

Women & Children First | Chicago

Women & Children First
Publisher/HostWomen & Children First
Children's Storytime: Leaf Town Forever by Kathleen Rooney & Beth Rooney
Advertisement
An extra-special Children's Storytime Event to celebrate the release of Leaf Town Forever by local authors Kathleen Rooney & Beth Rooney!
About this Event

Join us for an extra-special Children's Storytime Event to celebrate the release of Leaf Town Forever by local authors Kathleen Rooney & Beth Rooney, illustrated by Betsey Bowen! Doors open at 10:15am and storytime starts at 10:30am.

The true story of a Midwestern “town” created with leaves, sticks, and children’s imaginations
Leaf Town suddenly springs up. 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 and find 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 and proclaim it the heart of Leaf Town. As the town grows, it attracts the attention of the kids 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 to rebuild their city together, expanding to welcome the neighboring kids as well as 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. The timeless and universal saga, written in haiku, 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 within reach for us all if we unite to make and maintain it.

Kathleen Rooney is a founding editor of Rose Metal Press, a nonprofit publisher of literary work in hybrid genres, and a founding member of Poems While You Wait. She is author of five novels, including Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk and Cher Ami and Major Whittlesey, as well as the poetry collection Where Are the Snows. She lives in Chicago and teaches at DePaul University.

Beth Rooney is a visual journalist based in Oak Park, Illinois. A writer and photographer, she is drawn to stories that explore our place in the world and show how individual circumstances reflect larger truths.

Betsy Bowen is author and illustrator of many children’s books, including Plant a Pocket of Prairie and The Lost Forest, both published by the University of Minnesota Press. She lives in Grand Marais, Minnesota.

Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Women & Children First, 5233 North Clark Street, Chicago, United States

Tickets

USD 0.00

Sharing is Caring:

More Events in Chicago

The Rugby Party
Sat, 01 Nov at 09:00 am The Rugby Party

Reggie's Rock Club

Nobody\u2019s Safe In-Person Session 2
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Nobody’s Safe In-Person Session 2

Independence Branch, Chicago Public Library

Expungement & Second Chance Seminar
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Expungement & Second Chance Seminar

Prairie State College

Men's Strength Empowerment WW3 Workshop
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Men's Strength Empowerment WW3 Workshop

10920 S Princeton Ave

Winter Dessert Candle Making Experience
Sat, 01 Nov at 10:00 am Winter Dessert Candle Making Experience

GLOW UP CREATIVE ARTS STUDIO

Halloween Pickleball Tournament at Clark Street Pickleball
Sat, 01 Nov at 11:00 am Halloween Pickleball Tournament at Clark Street Pickleball

2352 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614-3423, United States

ROYAL PAWZ FURRY FALL FESTIVAL
Sat, 01 Nov at 11:00 am ROYAL PAWZ FURRY FALL FESTIVAL

Jackson Bark

Samhain Brunch at Trogo Kitchen and Market
Sat, 01 Nov at 11:00 am Samhain Brunch at Trogo Kitchen and Market

2545 W Diversey Ave

12th Annual Chi-Town Multicultural Film Festival
Sat, 01 Nov at 11:30 am 12th Annual Chi-Town Multicultural Film Festival

Logan Center for the Arts

Chicago is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Chicago Events