The First Forest

A modern fable to remind us that greed and selfishness are harmful and that peace and harmony flow from an attitude of grateful appreciation for the gifts we receive and a respect for the need and right of others to share in those gifts.

Author John Gile has presented programs across the United States and in Europe to more than 500,000, including student reading and writing programs, teacher in-service programs, and communication workshops for businesses and organizations. He has been a guest for literacy and other communication skill discussions on numerous radio and television talk shows across the country and a frequent speaker at education conferences, including Staff Development for Educators programs and the World Congress of the International Reading Association in New Zealand. Gile's books include titles for children and adults: The First Forest, Keeping First Things First, Oh, How I Wished I Could Read! and What Is That Thing? Whose Stuff Is This? One of his books has been published in Chinese and Spanish and three have been book club selections. Gile also is author of features published by periodicals throughout the United States and Canada. He created and produced the cartoon Blockheads & Co. for the Register and Tribune Syndicate and wrote a humor column, Gile Without Guile, which was syndicated nationally by NC News Service. He was trained as a Russian interpreter for the United States Army Security Agency and is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Northern Illinois University.