The Tale of Ol' Split Toe
YOUNG ADULT FICTION
Science & Nature/Environment Science Fiction/Time Travel Literature &
Fiction/Action & Adventure
Date Published: 03-31-2026
Publisher: Mission Point Press
Mother Nature struggles to maintain equilibrium in a changing world
while fire, disease, logging, human displacement, and war repeatedly destroy
forests of centuries-old trees. Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth for a unique
education, travels through time to understand the interconnected workings of a
Michigan forest. He meets humans along the way: Ice Age hunters who trap and
kill a mastodon; Mukwoh, a young Ojibwe hunter who stalks Split Toe through
swamp and forest; loggers clearcutting Michigan’s white pines; Edra, a
woman advocating for the trees; Angus and Grace, pioneers who become a first
generation of family farmers; scientists from the future studying the impact
of nuclear radiation.
Split Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern
humans -- who fight to control the natural world -- and Mother Nature, who
repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately
overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.
Review
Dan Ellens creates a vivid and mysterious world in Forest Legend: The Legend of Ol’ Split Toe. The story feels rooted in classic campfire tales, with just enough suspense to keep readers hooked.
The pacing is steady, and the author gradually reveals details that make the legend feel believable and immersive.
What stands out most is the setting and atmosphere. There’s a constant sense that something is lurking just out of sight, which gives it the perfect errie feel. It’s a fun and slightly chilling read that fans of folklore-inspired fiction will appreciate.
About the Author
Dan Ellens is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about connecting people
with nature. He spends nearly half of each year in an isolated,
electricity-free treehouse on Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary with
woodstove heat, handpump water, and oil lamp lighting.
Dan has written four nonfiction books intended to inspire adventure, promote
self-sufficient lifestyles, and connect people with nature.
While not in the wilds, Dan and his wife live in the small community of Salem,
Michigan.
Contact Links
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LinkedIn: Daniel S. Ellens
Purchase Links
Amazon Paperback
Amazon eBook
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