lanvi t nguyen

“Educational. Charming. Inspiring.” Bozena Palmquist, United States

This is your chance to own a limited-edition, hardcover revised author’s proof of The Everlasting Forest–A Worldly Adventure. Each hand-numbered proof will include Lanvi and Laural’s signatures, along with a Forest Friends bookmark. Your support helps to bring our vision closer to reality, as we begin our search for the right publisher. 

Join Truthful Tea Leaf and Blissful Bodhi on a cosmic adventure around the world. Come along as they travel through a magical portal to gather their Forest Friends for the very first time. Be carried away by their words of whimsy and wisdom as they bring forth the gifts that will inspire many adventures yet to come.

This vibrantly illustrated 48-page, 10” x 10” hardcover book, features detailed full bleed illustrations that invite readers to explore and learn about trees, while feeling joyful and inspired.

The artist, Lanvi T. Nguyen brings The Everlasting Forest Friends to life by combining a dynamic combination of visual mediums. She incorporates pencil and ink drawings on vellum, watercolor paintings on 300 lb. Fabriano cold-press paper, stunning photographs and raw materials from nature. A very traditional art making process ensures there is dimension and liveliness in each image. With the use of digital software, Lanvi layers all of these visual elements together to create magical landscapes for the Forest Friends you will meet and love.

The author, Laural V. Wauters, has a lyrical yet educational style that is informative and fun to read. She inspires the mind to contemplate the deeper communications of trees. Since childhood, Laural has felt a connection with trees and the archetypal stories they hold. She believes that these stories, from across many cultures, highlight the profound presence and gifts trees bring to our world. By appreciating the diversity of trees, and their messages, she hopes to shed light on how interconnected we all are. 

Together, Lanvi and Laural have created a world filled with joy to delight children and seekers of all ages. The poetic words and lush landscapes of the Everlasting Forest will transport readers around the globe, to meet the legendary Forest Friends as they share their stories. These two artists have masterfully combined their crafts to create a sensory experience in which the trees speak, and the reader can sense the ancient magical world where their wisdom was born. 

An elixir for the soul, these tales invite children and elders alike to gather together and share in the wonder of the natural world and the thrill of adventure!

The Everlasting Forest—A Worldly Adventure promises to be a truly special and meaningful gift for any and all ages.

This book springs from our love of the earth and humanity, and we hope it touches your heart and life. 

Now also available in paperback!

Thank you for your support, and for bringing one home.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The Everlasting Forest has been many years in the making. We believe the seeds were planted when we were children playing among the trees. Lanvi has been creating a vision for the Everlasting Forest Friends from her home in Virginia. Laural has been focused on sharing how trees hold the stories of our shared roots from her home in Oregon.

In the summer of 2021, Lanvi sent an email inquiry to Laural, introducing herself and her initial drawings of Super Spruce, Truthful Tea Leaf and Blissful Bodhi. Laural fell instantly in love with Lanvi’s energy, immense talent and her adorable Forest Friends. Lanvi asked Laural if she would be willing to co-create with her, the answer was an instantaneous “Yes!” It soon became obvious that we both wanted to create a children’s book that could tell the story of the Forest Friends and the Everlasting Forest.

We began by focusing on character development. We shared our thoughts for creating new Forest Friends that spanned the globe as well as fine tuning the ones already created. We created names, clothing and accessories, along with the unique environments and cultures where each Forest Friend lived.

“I can’t wait to learn more about their adventures!” Vinnie Charity, United States

We created new Forest Friends such as Oracle Oak, Caring Cacao, Bountiful Baobab and Curious Coconut, while fine tuning Brave Bonsai, Graceful Gingko, Magical Maple, Healing Hawthorn, Optimistic Orange and Cosmic Cypress. To round out the cast, we developed four Cosmic Creators: Wise Old Owl, Solar Fire Fox, Misty Moonbeam and Little Light Bear.

Laural developed an initial storyline that would introduce our entire cast of characters in one book. This became the foundation for The Worldly Adventure. From there we began to create images and words.

Lanvi brought the story to life through her unique illustrative style. In her creations, she incorporates pencil and ink drawings on vellum, raw materials from nature for texture, and watercolor paintings on 300 lb. Fabriano cold-press paper. A very traditional art making process is used to capture dimension and depth, ensuring that each image speaks of movement and liveliness. Using digital software, Lanvi layers all of these visual elements with her extensive body of photographic work to create stunning images of the Forest Friends and their environments.

“Your drawing details bring fresh giggles in the air.” Corina Teunissen van Manen, Netherlands

While Lanvi was crafting her visual masterpieces, Laural imagined their voice. As the ambassadors and caretakers of the Everlasting Forest, they had a lot to say. Laural focused on the joyful enthusiasm of our Forest Friends as well as the environments in which they lived. She spent time connecting with the trees on a botanical and spiritual level to bring each Forest Friend to life.

What came out was lyrical in nature, as rhymes seemed to flow naturally from their personalities.

“The creators have presented imaginative characters inspired by nature while also delivering light but real information about trees around the world.” amos richardson, united states

Laural’s experience as a creative director complemented Lanvi’s artistic talent and drive as they worked together to define and refine each illustration. We worked long hours, sharing our ideas and making revisions in real time over Google Docs, merging Laural’s words with Lanvi’s images, and visa versa. Even though we lived on opposite sides of the continent, it felt as though we were sitting next to each other as dear friends.

Just before the Winter Solstice, which was our target date, we both felt our first book was ready to go to print for proofing.

We have made a few adjustments from our first proof and are currently in the process of ordering a limited run of revised proofs. Soon we will begin our search for a publisher who can help us take our vision to the next level.

We see The Everlasting Forest—A Worldly Adventure as the first book in a series of fourteen books. Each book will feature a lively adventure with one of our dear Forest Friends.

So stay tuned. There’s more to come.

Sincerely,

Lanvi and Laural

Copyright © 2021 by Lanvi T. Nguyen and Laural V. Wauters. 

All rights reserved.