Leina is a brave young girl who ferries townsfolk across a river so they can gather wood in a mysterious forest. The forest is plagued by rumors of being haunted, with whispers that those who enter never return. One evening, a young passenger named Oren fails to show up for his return trip. When Leina finally spots a lantern signaling from the dark riverbank, she is relieved—only to discover it isn’t Oren waiting for her. Instead, she encounters a bizarre creature calling himself the Lord of the Toadstools. This meeting sparks an epic odyssey for Leina as she sets out to solve the mystery of the missing townspeople and uncover the forest’s deepest secrets. This richly imagined tale delves into powerful lessons regarding gratitude, forgiveness, and environmental consciousness. It also explores the dangers of taking nature for granted and the consequences of misunderstanding those who are different.The color palette and shading create a richly atmospheric environment that captures both the coziness of Leina’s boat and the eerie, shifting mood of the haunted forest.The full-page spreads are so detailed and visually immersive that you can look at them repeatedly and find new hidden elements each time. The book is an excellent choice for a visual read-aloud.