Ladera.team
An ecosystem developed by children for children and families.
Learning more about the place we live. Creating new stories, legends, and senses. Involving children and their families. Having fun while co-creating together.
Read the Book
The Secrets of Ladera Ranch
A mystery-adventure where real Ladera Ranch places become legendary. Follow a team of children who discover hidden maps, old trees that remember, a strange AI named ARI, and a dragon made of every thread that ever connected a community.
12 Real Locations Become Legends
Every chapter is anchored to a real place in Ladera Ranch — from Founders Park to the mysterious doorless tower at Covenant Hills.
Written for Ages 9–14, Loved by Parents
Cinematic, suspenseful, funny, and emotionally deep. Strong character growth, real local history, and a story about technology serving meaning.
Three Time Layers
Past, present, and future collide. Old ranch maps reveal forgotten routes. A giant tree shows what the land remembers.
"Look twice, and the place looks back."
Or get it with the authors' autographs at the Ladera Ranch Farmers Market on Sundays!
Read Part I OnlineWhat We Are
The Ladera.team Ecosystem
Developed by children for children and families — aimed at learning, caring, creating, and having fun together.
The Fiction Book
The "Ladera Team" book describes legends and imaginary stories behind Ladera's places and attractions in an engaging, immersive way. Real locations become legendary.
Trading Cards
A collection of cards where each represents a local real or imaginary place, person, or phenomenon. Collect them, trade them, build your world.
The Game
The "Ladera.team" game will be developed together and played with our families. The game should grow and evolve with us through time.
The Map
Twelve real locations across Ladera Ranch, each holding a secret power. Explore the map and discover the places behind the legends.
Events & Activities
Real-world events, community activities, and family adventures that bring the ecosystem to life beyond pages and screens.
Collect Them All
Trading Cards
Real places. Real powers. Each trading card holds a skill your team needs to unlock the Thread Compass.
From the Book
Stories & Legends of Ladera Ranch Locations
Twelve real places. Twelve hidden powers. Every location in the book holds a legend — here are the secrets waiting beneath your feet.
The Thread Dragon of Founders Park
Founders Park Picnic Area · Belonging
Beneath the bumblebee playground lives a dragon made of golden threads — woven from every path walked, every promise whispered, every family that chose to belong. Its wings hum with voices. When a thread is broken, the dragon dims. When a thread is repaired, it glows.
The Memory Keeper of the Library
Ladera Ranch Library · Memory
The two-story library holds more than books. A spirit lives in the shelves — made of every story ever read aloud. It remembers what you've forgotten. Open the right book at the right time, and the pages whisper your own memories back to you.
The Courage Tower of Oso Grande
Oso Grande Elementary · Courage
The netting tower rises three stories. At the top waits a test — not of strength, but of honesty. Gray climbed alone, arms shaking, pretending he didn't care. The tower waited. Courage isn't being unafraid. It's being afraid and climbing anyway.
The Listening Wind of Chaparral
Chaparral Elementary · Listening
The wind stole Chloe's instructions mid-sentence. Paper scattered like startled birds. In the silence that followed, the schoolyard whispered back — two syllables pressed into concrete, patient and clear: "Wait for me." Silence isn't nothing. It's everything waiting to speak.
The Closed Road
Sienna Pkwy to Covenant Hills · Courage
A road exists between two neighborhoods that was never opened. No cars pass. No signs explain. But at certain hours, the Lightning Fox pauses here, and children who walk the closed road find courage they didn't know they carried.
The Lightning Fox of the Powerline Trail
Trail Under Powerline · Energy
An ethereal fox made of amber electrical light runs along the trail beneath the powerlines. Its body is transparent, lightning coursing through its fur. Wei hears his mother's lullaby humming in the wires. The fox runs fastest when someone finally tells the truth.
The Service Bell of Oak Knoll
Oak Knoll Village Clubhouse · Service
The first community hub built in Ladera Ranch holds a bell that rings without being touched. It sounds when someone serves without being asked — a door held open, a meal shared, a quiet act no one saw. The bell remembers every one.
The Ghost Captain of Cox Sports Park
Cox Sports Park · Teamwork
The field remembers every play forever. A Ghost Captain replays a game that never ended — because every player wanted to be the hero. The game finally ends when someone chooses to pass. Teamwork isn't losing yourself. It's finding the play that needs you.
The Root Keeper of Town Green
Town Green Giant Tree · Roots
The giant tree at Town Green is older than the community. Its roots reach deep into history — Acjachemen land, ranching days, the first families. Touch the bark and the Root Keeper shows you the past. "You cannot grow new branches if you cut your roots."
The Nine Choices of Covenant Hills
Mini Golf Circle & Doorless Tower · Responsibility
Nine putting holes form a constellation. Your putt follows your heart, not your aim. At the center stands a doorless tower — you can only enter by choosing responsibility. Inside, nine futures glow in citrus light. Your choice becomes your path.
The Silent Water of Terramor
Terramor Aquatic Park · Kindness
The water once fell without sound. A spirit made of crystal water waits in the splash zone. When Emma spoke up for a shy kid, the silent water crashed into laughter. Kindness isn't grand. It's one voice saying: "You belong here too."
The Perspective Hills of Mercantile
Mercantile East & Hills Behind · Perspective
Behind the ordinary stores, hills rise to reveal the whole valley. From below, you see errands. From above, you see connections — every path linking home to school to park to friend. "Ordinary places are the most magical because nobody expects magic there."
Quick Facts
Inside the Ecosystem
Real Locations
Every trading card is anchored to a real place in Ladera Ranch — from Founders Park to Covenant Hills and the Powerline Trail.
9 Characters
Alex, Maria, Wei, Aarav, Ben, Lily, Chloe, the wise turtle Peeko, and the mysterious Robot 607 from a hollow future.
11 Emotional Themes
From Potential to Belonging, Curiosity, Play, Teamwork, Brave Kindness, Logic + Heart, Responsibility, and Repair.
Co-Created by Children
The ecosystem grows with its community. Children and families contribute stories, card designs, game ideas, and real-world quests.
Map Fragments
Hidden throughout the story are fragments of a larger map that connects all locations into one Thread Compass.
10,000+ Years of History
The Acjachemen people lived on this land for millennia. The ecosystem honors their enduring presence and connection to the land.
Read a Taste
From the Pages
Three moments from the book — where ordinary places become extraordinary.
The Voices
Meet the Characters
Alex
The Planner
“A plan is useful until the future refuses to follow it.”
Maria
The Observer
“The smallest weird thing is usually the beginning.”
Wei
The Quiet One
“Quiet is not empty.”
Aarav
The Questioner
“One right question is better than twenty loud ones.”
Peeko
The Companion
“He hums when threads tangle.”
Ladera History & Roots
History & Roots
Every story has layers. Our ecosystem is built on history that stretches back millennia.
Support the Project
Help Us Bring the Story to Life
Ladera.team is a community-driven project built by and for the kids of Ladera Ranch. Your support helps us print trading cards, publish the book, and keep this ecosystem growing.
Sponsor inquiries: [email protected]
Get in Touch
Contact Us
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