Book Discussion Guide
Redwoods by Jason Chin
In Redwoods, a young boy finds a book on the subway about the coastal redwoods in Northern California. As he begins to read about these massive trees, he is drawn into their magical world. As your family reads along, you too will find yourselves in the company of these coastal giants. Jason Chin uses amazing facts and eye-catching illustrations to tell you all about the habitat of the redwoods and how these trees thrive and grow. The book’s format –both nonfiction and fiction – is a great way to encourage your family to learn about this important area of America and feel as though you are on an adventure yourselves!
Questions To Talk About
While Reading
Vocabulary
It's important to make sure that your child has an understanding of key words in the book. Talking about words while reading is a great way for your child to learn new words.
In this book, you might talk about these words:
- ancestors (pg. 2)
- shallow (pg. 4)
- diameter (pg. 7)
- conditions (pg. 8)
- infestations (pg. 10)
- ingenious (pg. 14)
- interior (pg. 21)
You might use a question like:
In the book, what does the word ingenious mean? How do the words on page 14 help you understand this word? Can you say in what ways the trees are ingenious?
Key Ideas and Themes
In addition to words, it's important to talk about key ideas and themes and how they develop over the course of the book.
Here are some examples to get you started:
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1
In this book, a young boy is transported to the redwood forest in Northern California. As a family, talk about what makes this forest so special. Be sure to go back to the book as you talk with your child. How does the author use words and pictures to make you feel like you are in the redwood forest with the boy?
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2
On page 10, the author says redwood trees are “very good at defending themselves.” Ask your child how the trees defend themselves. Go to pages 10-12 and ask your child to explain what tools the trees use to protect and keep themselves healthy.
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3
As you read about the temperatures and conditions in the redwood forest, talk about what makes Northern California a perfect place for trees to live. How do the temperature and precipitation patterns in this region help support the trees?
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4
What is the focus of the paragraph on page 21? (The page starts with “The crown of a redwood…”) Tell your child to look carefully at the page and ask: What is this page about? Can you tell me in a sentence?
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5
The redwoods are a habitat for lots of plants, insects, birds, and animals. What other organisms make their homes in redwood trees? As you read the book, ask your child to point out other living things that live in the redwood forest. Have your child name specific organisms listed in the book.
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6
When you’re done reading the book, ask your child: Why do you think the author wrote this book? As a family, talk about what the author wants you to think about redwood trees by the end of the text. Be sure to look at the sections at the end of the book, “Redwoods in Danger“ and the Author’s Note, as you think about the author’s point of view.
Extra Activities
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1
Author and illustrator Jason Chin has a passion for natural ecosystems. Check out some of his other books, like Gravity, Island: A Story for the Galapagos, or Coral Reefs. In all of his books, Jason Chin uses eye-catching illustrations and interesting facts to make you feel like you’re there, experiencing a new place.
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2
Keep the adventures going by creating a book of your own! Think about a place you love to visit and explore. What would you want people to know and love about this place? Create a short book for your family and friends so they can know about this cool place. It could be a story like Chin’s Redwoods, or an informational book too. Use your own experiences and look up some fun facts about the place to get you started. Be sure to draw some pictures to capture your readers’ imaginations!