Celebrating more than 3,500 copies in circulation! 🎉
Celebrating more than 3,500 copies in circulation!🎉
Best Selling Author and Hospitality Entrepreneur
We’ve created sample emails, social media posts, promotional videos, and graphics for you to share with your community. Click the button below to access!
Silent Auction Update: Thank you to everyone who participated! We are thrilled to announce that we raised $11,510, enabling Clay and Amber to distribute over 750 books to children in hospitals this winter.
The Long Forest Trail is a captivating early reader’s children’s book, imagined by 7-year-old author Clay Vilhauer.
Join Clay and his mom on an enchanting journey through nature as they explore a vibrant trail of discovery. Hand in hand, they embark on a colorful adventure, where Clay learns about happiness and resilience while facing challenges from the elements. Through heartfelt conversations, Clay realizes the power of love, trust, kindness, and staying strong through life’s obstacles.
The Long Forest Trail is a heartwarming tale celebrating family bonds, resilience, gratitude for nature’s wonders—and, above all—the power of human connection.
Click the button below to order.
Proceeds benefit Burning Through Pages a 501c (3) Organization.
Proceeds benefit Burning Through Pages a 501c (3) Organization.
Thank you to Serve 68, Boys & Girls Club, Ascent classical school, and other organizations for supporting Clay’s vision to positively impact other children!
Thank you to Serve 68, Boys & Girls Club, Ascent classical school, and other organizations for supporting Clay’s vision to positively impact other children!
Best Selling Author and Hospitality Entrepreneur
I am immediately taken by a 7 year-old’s willingness to take walks with his Mom throughout the year, spending time in nature and TALKING! With TV, video games, iPads, etc. it is often difficult to get children this young away from these devices but even at a young age Clay recognizes the importance of talking, listening and learning. There is inspiration in that both children and adults can look at the simple things in life, found in nature, and use them throughout the day. The fact that Clay can learn from, and share a life long lesson from a bug-bite should make anyone smile. Yes, this book made me smile and there is no better way to start the day.
Clay’s book is a delightful read. The Long Forest Trail, not only has meaningful content - it reminds us that we would be well serviced to think like children and embrace our inner child to become the best versions of ourselves, long after we’ve “grown up.” While this would make a thoughtful and insightful gift for the children in your life - I think we can all use a little more of this spirit right now, regardless of our age.
It's awesome that Amber and Clay incorporated nature and life lessons around kindness, compassion, relationships and adversity into this beautiful book. The illustrations pair well with the message as well. Loved seeing the change of seasons as you two went on your adventure. Tell Clay he has some fans up here in Canada.
This book left me in tears - happy tears of course! And for SO many reasons. The beautiful relationship depicted between the mother in son and the lessons they shared together on their walks was extremely heart-warming. Each lesson was such a beautiful reminder about the power that nature holds (that we sometimes forget or take for granted). I love a good rhyming book and the way the words flowed on the page from one sentence to the next drew me in and each lesson told in this beautiful way left an impression on me. One I would never forget. To top it off, the fact that it was written by Clay moved me! If more children valued nature and spent time exploring the natural world, just like Clay, the world would certainly be a better place.
As a former elementary educator myself, I love the magic found in a picture book. They hold such powerful messages - and this book is no different! Although it's written for children, it has lessons for children of ALL ages (Yes, even us "big kids" too). I'd love to see this book in the hands of ALL humans!
Gorgeously illustrated and simply stated, The Long Forest Trail reminds readers that each of us has the awesome power to decide how we think and feel through every situation. The story smartly utilizes Nature's character of perseverance through all seasons and always growing towards the light despite the elements giving readers an unmistakable example of the great that comes from the power of thinking on things that are good, pure, positive, and dealing swiftly with negative thoughts and feelings, or as this adorable pint-sized author writes, "to be the light. In a world that's always trending, this book is a great reminder that thinking for yourself can make the most beautiful impact for everyone.
Please consider placing a substantial bulk order ($500-$5,000) of The Long Forest Trail for us to distribute to foster homes, schools, and children’s hospitals. Our goal is to personally distribute 10,000 copies to kids who could really use the gift of empowerment, connection, and self-love!
Clay has a huge heart for helping others, and we hope to inspire you to do the same. The best way we can help others be resilient in such a challenging time to reconnect with our roots in nature and find happiness inside and out… is by getting this book into as many hands as possible.
Order 5+ copies of this adventure book for your nieces, nephews, classmates, and neighbors. Give the gift of awakening to young readers … and inspire them to be kind-hearted explorers along their own unique paths.
We’ve partnered with “Burning Through Pages,” a 501(c) 3 organization committed to fostering a love for reading and facilitating meaningful conversations that awaken the potential within our city’s youth.
Please consider placing a substantial bulk order for us to distribute on your behalf or anonymously.
Generosity heals. Generosity moves. Generosity sets the new and much-needed standard.
We’ve partnered with “Burning Through Pages,” a 501(c) 3 organization committed to fostering a love for reading and facilitating meaningful conversations that awaken the potential within our city’s youth.
Please consider placing a substantial bulk order for us to distribute on your behalf or anonymously.
Generosity heals. Generosity moves. Generosity sets the new and much-needed standard.
Join us for Clay’s book launch virtually on November 9th!
Make sure to follow Amber on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. We’ll be going LIVE at 12:15 pm Central time (10:15 am Pacific, 1:15 pm Eastern) for a 30-minute event, giving you the opportunity to experience Clay’s book launch with us.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars and watch the LIVE event on the social platforms below!
Join us for Clay’s book launch!
Make sure to follow Amber on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook. We’ll be going live at 12:15 Central time (10:15 Pacific, 1:15 Eastern) for a 30-minute event, giving you the opportunity to experience Clay’s book launch with us.
Don’t forget to click on the social follow buttons below!
Co-author Amber Vilhauer will tell you her life’s purpose is to help others feel seen, heard, loved, and valued. She is deeply fulfilled in her work, helping impact-driven influencers (both big and small) get their message out to the world in the most powerful way through digital marketing opportunities.
Clay Vilhauer is a 7-year-old, kind-hearted explorer who lives in Northern Colorado. He wants to be a LEGO® Engineer when he grows up. Playing with family, drawing, all types of sports, and building things are a few of his favorite activities. Clay was inspired to write this book to teach adults and children to “Be the Light”. He believes that by focusing on what you can control—your thoughts (mindset) and feelings inside—you can make the world a happier place.
Co-author Amber Vilhauer will tell you her life’s purpose is to help others feel seen, heard, loved, and valued. She is deeply fulfilled in her work, helping impact-driven influencers (both big and small) get their message out to the world in the most powerful way through digital marketing opportunities.
Clay Vilhauer is a 7-year-old, kind-hearted explorer who lives in Northern Colorado. He wants to be a LEGO® Engineer when he grows up. Playing with family, drawing, all types of sports, and building things are a few of his favorite activities. Clay was inspired to write this book to teach adults and children to “Be the Light”. He believes that by focusing on what you can control—your thoughts (mindset) and feelings inside—you can make the world a happier place.
Special thanks to Illustrator Andres Meneses, Editor Brooke Vitale, and the publishing production team at Merack Publishing through STRONGPrint Publishing.
After reading The Long Forest Trail, I found myself overcome with a sense of nostalgia for a place I’ve never been physically. The illustrations are timeless and transport you to a magical childhood dream. Much like a Disney movie, every sentence has a dual meaning, appealing to both adults and children alike. This is a crucial message packaged in a beautifully illustrated book to take to heart today more than ever as we seek to connect with one another. I’ll also be buying this for my siblings to share with their kids, fostering a shared journey of adaptation to life’s ever-shifting currents.
I was filled with immense joy and excitement when I witnessed Clay's extraordinary vision for The Long Forest Trail finally coming to life. This captivating and enchanting story takes us on an extraordinary journey through the different seasons, picturesque trails, and invaluable life lessons. I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to share this wonderful book with the children in my life, as it is a truly wonderful book. Heartfelt congratulations to you, Clay Vilhauer, on a job incredibly well done!
When Clay said, “Mom, I want to publish a book!” it sparked a special journey of closeness and connection that we want to share with you!
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Thank you for your time and support in making Clay’s dreams come true!
