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8th out of 121 books
—
28 voters
Redwoods
by
Jason Chin (Goodreads Author)
An ordinary train ride becomes and extraordinary trip to the great ancient forests
A subway trip is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels--all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy. Crammed with interesting and accurate information about the...more
A subway trip is transformed when a young boy happens upon a book about redwood forests. As he reads the information unfolds, and with each new bit of knowledge, he travels--all the way to California to climb into the Redwood canopy. Crammed with interesting and accurate information about the...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
March 17th 2009
by Flash Point
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Sep 15, 2009
Abigail
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Young Tree Lovers / Children with Imagination
Recommended to Abigail by:
The Horn Book
Shelves:
childrens-non-fiction,
picture-books
Review Temporarily Removed.
I saw this book mentioned in a discussion about Arbor Day in the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads. So, in honor of Arbor Day, we read a few books about trees.
This is a fascinating book that ends up being two stories in one. The narrative is a nonfiction description of the Redwood forests in California, telling about the history of the trees, the way the plant grows and the creatures that live within the canopy. But another story unfolds as you read the narrative....more
This is a fascinating book that ends up being two stories in one. The narrative is a nonfiction description of the Redwood forests in California, telling about the history of the trees, the way the plant grows and the creatures that live within the canopy. But another story unfolds as you read the narrative....more
Facts about redwood trees are shared in a narrative format, spread throughout beautiful watercolor illustrations. The concept is really neat, with a boy reading a book about redwoods that comes alive around him and replaces the cityscape of New York with rainforest. The concept, layout, and color scheme is reminiscent of Barbara Lehman's wordless books.
There is much to love about this magical book, but the best part for me is the fact that it features an Asian American protagonist, without making any reference to him or his race whatsoever. He is just any kid.
The story is about a little boy riding the subway who picks up an abandoned book about redwoods. As he reads, he is transported into a redwood forest as he and we readers learn all about these noble trees. At the end of the story, he leaves the book on a bench, and a little girl picks it...more
The story is about a little boy riding the subway who picks up an abandoned book about redwoods. As he reads, he is transported into a redwood forest as he and we readers learn all about these noble trees. At the end of the story, he leaves the book on a bench, and a little girl picks it...more
Chin, J. (2009). Redwoods. New York: Roaring Brook Press.
1596434309
Appetizer: A young boy discovers a Copy of Redwoods (complete with him on the cover) while waiting in the subway stop. As he begins to read the information the book contains about Redwood trees, during his trip, a bit of imagination and the information within the book begins to transform the world around the boy.
Heart it!
The text itself is straightforward information about Redwood trees. While, some of the facts are interesting,...more
1596434309
Appetizer: A young boy discovers a Copy of Redwoods (complete with him on the cover) while waiting in the subway stop. As he begins to read the information the book contains about Redwood trees, during his trip, a bit of imagination and the information within the book begins to transform the world around the boy.
Heart it!
The text itself is straightforward information about Redwood trees. While, some of the facts are interesting,...more
Book Type: Informational Text, history of redwoods
Intended audience: Grades 1-4
I have no idea why Jason Chin remains so relatively unknown. I consider him a terrific illustrator, and he comes up with novel and modern ways to present nonfiction information. In this book (2009), a boy is on the subway in New York City, and is reading a book about redwoods and gets taken back to Jurassic times. He gets to explore the redwoods and then return, at the end, to his urban setting. I read this right befo...more
Intended audience: Grades 1-4
I have no idea why Jason Chin remains so relatively unknown. I consider him a terrific illustrator, and he comes up with novel and modern ways to present nonfiction information. In this book (2009), a boy is on the subway in New York City, and is reading a book about redwoods and gets taken back to Jurassic times. He gets to explore the redwoods and then return, at the end, to his urban setting. I read this right befo...more
Chin, Jason.
Redwoods. Roaring Book Press. 2009. Unpaged.
ISBN: 978-1-59643-430-9. $19.95
*
While reading the book about the Redwood Forest, a young boy is transported to the forest. The young boy wanders the trails, exploring and climbing the redwoods. He learns many interesting facts during this exploration: redwoods are one of the oldest trees found in the world, they regularly grow to over 200 feet, and redwoods contain tannin which protects the trees from fungal infections and insect manifes...more
Redwoods. Roaring Book Press. 2009. Unpaged.
ISBN: 978-1-59643-430-9. $19.95
*
While reading the book about the Redwood Forest, a young boy is transported to the forest. The young boy wanders the trails, exploring and climbing the redwoods. He learns many interesting facts during this exploration: redwoods are one of the oldest trees found in the world, they regularly grow to over 200 feet, and redwoods contain tannin which protects the trees from fungal infections and insect manifes...more
Is it easier to write an excellent work of fiction than an excellent work of non-fiction? It’s sort of a trick question. Still, I’d argue that a poor work of fiction is going to appeal to a child more immediately than a poor work of non-fiction. Hand a kid a terrible picture book and they’re going to at least give it a glance. But hand them a poor work of non-fiction and what’s their reaction? “Boooooring!” So superior informational books for kids not only have to be interesting and well written...more
While riding on the subway, a boy reads a book about the redwood forests of the Pacific Northwest. He becomes so engrossed that he imagines himself among the redwoods, running from a forest fire, watching the fog condense on the redwood needles and climbing to the canopy.
I have walked in the redwood forests, and am impressed with the artist's skill in portraying the life and vitality of these ancient giants. I was especially fascinated with details about the highest levels of a redwood tree, whe...more
I have walked in the redwood forests, and am impressed with the artist's skill in portraying the life and vitality of these ancient giants. I was especially fascinated with details about the highest levels of a redwood tree, whe...more
A boy waiting for the subway finds a book on redwood trees on the bench next to him. As he becomes immersed in the information, the world around him changes until he finds himself in the middle of a redwood forest. Through the boy’s eyes readers will get to repel to the top of the redwood crowns, stand on enormous stumps, and view the redwoods compared to a city skyline. This book is the epitome of an informational book made accessible and fun. Though the text is primarily factual, the illustrat...more
Redwoods, is a magical mix of informational text and fantasy. It would capture the imagination of a 6 to 9-year-old child for a number of reasons. The main character is a boy who lives in an urban area. As he reads a book about the redwood trees of California, he is transported deep into a forest of tower trees, where he experiences their majesty first hand. The illustrations are cleverly done. They combined real and imagined concepts like in a scene when the boy rides the subway, while a dinosa...more
I can see myself picking this as my favorite nonfiction picture book. I love the text and the pictures perfectly complement the text. Redwoods serve as a fascinating subject yet have not been overdone as a subject.
The text information is supplemented with an author's note explaining his interest in the subject and a note about the danger to redwoods. No bibliography which is disappointing but not absolutely necessary.
There really is only one obstacle to adding this to my shortlist: What do kids...more
The text information is supplemented with an author's note explaining his interest in the subject and a note about the danger to redwoods. No bibliography which is disappointing but not absolutely necessary.
There really is only one obstacle to adding this to my shortlist: What do kids...more
Chin, Jason. Redwoods. New York: Flashpoint/Roaring Brook Press, 2009. Print.
A young boy begins reading a book he finds left on a NY subway bench. As he reads he finds the world around him gradually being transformed. Soon he discovers he's in the middle of a redwood forest. He is taken on a fantastic journey through the forest while he continues reading and learns more and more about redwoods with every step.
The simple story that underlies this book makes it perfect for introducing fiction-boo...more
A young boy begins reading a book he finds left on a NY subway bench. As he reads he finds the world around him gradually being transformed. Soon he discovers he's in the middle of a redwood forest. He is taken on a fantastic journey through the forest while he continues reading and learns more and more about redwoods with every step.
The simple story that underlies this book makes it perfect for introducing fiction-boo...more
ABSOLUTELY GREAT! This nonfiction book about all aspects of redwood trees actually has two story lines; the conventional nonfiction story of redwoods in the writing and the story of a young boy and a book in the illustrations. Chin creatively uses the illustrations to tell the story of a young boy reading his book "Redwoods" and discovering the amazing facts about redwood trees. The illustrations take the boy from the subway to the redwood forest where he experiences the redwoods and their surro...more
A boy on the subway finds a book. As he reads, he sinks into a redwood forest, explores, and then emerges back to the city knowing quite a bit more.
It's a good journey. I love how the story's built around him experiencing things, gradually getting more specific. Know how redwoods are cool, giant trees? They've moved into my amazing category. Lots of great facts,e.g., new trunks sprout from branches, they make their own rain, redwoods found in a circle likely sprouted from the stump of a cut down...more
It's a good journey. I love how the story's built around him experiencing things, gradually getting more specific. Know how redwoods are cool, giant trees? They've moved into my amazing category. Lots of great facts,e.g., new trunks sprout from branches, they make their own rain, redwoods found in a circle likely sprouted from the stump of a cut down...more
Nov 13, 2009
Kathryn
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Kathryn by:
Abigial, thanks!
Shelves:
childrens-picture-books,
nature-animals
An innovative "non-fiction" picture book following a boy's journey through the science of the redwoods. A lot of information is packed into this little book, but the illustrations make it easy to digest and even fun. I love how the boy becomes so immersed in what he is reading that he actually finds himself in a redwood forest! There is a "conservation message" attached to the book, but it's not overly didactic and more emphasis is placed on how cool these trees are and how it would be great for...more
7 likes · like · see review
Redwoods was absolutely jam packed with fascinating facts about redwood trees, but the information was all presented in a way that was not overwhelming to kids. I was impressed with how Jason Chin was able to capture the extraordinarily interesting facts about these beings, and convey the absolute awe-inspiring majesty of these trees. When I read this book to myself before reading it to the kids, I was completely absorbed by it. I spent time with this book! After I read this to my niece and neph...more
3 likes · like · see review
When I visited the redwoods in Northern California, my camera couldn't begin to capture the majesty or wonder of the world's tallest living things. I had to try my best to soak up all of the grandeur and enchantment that I felt from inside the forest. It is hard to even explain how incredible these trees are, and yet I think this book captures their magic quite well! I thought Chin's approach of mixing fantasy with a very factual explanation helped to create the mystical feeling behind these gia...more
A boy picks up a book on redwoods on the subway, and soon is engrossed in the subject. The illustrations reflect his inner absorption. For example, when he reads that some redwoods alive today may have sprouted during the Roman Empire, two Romans in togas appear on either side of him (with really funny expressions on their faces.) As he comes out of the subway, which now seems to have roots growing through the ceiling, he enters the redwood forests. Interesting facts about redwoods coupled with...more
I can see why this book did not win the Caldecott but I can also see why it was in the running. Definelty worth reading. Ages 6+ would enjoy it esp nonficiton readers. What a great way to share nonfiction information about the Redwoods. I have always wanted to see the Redwoods and although I never have after reading this picture I can easily imagine what it would be like to walk among the Redwoods. The flying squirrel thru out the book was a bit of gimick. I noticed the squirrel is not present o...more
This is clear, straight-forward non-fiction book about the Redwoods. It is not broken out into boring segments, but rather flows nicely from page to page while still focusing on individual sub-topics per page. The lure into the book uses a city child reading a book (this book!) about Redwoods, and as he reads, the forest appears around him. I really liked the fascinating tree details, the amusing facial expressions on the reader in the story, and in particular, the writing style which allows the...more
Picture Book 4)
This is one of my favorite new books! I love the way it starts and ends with a boy finding a book on a subway bench (Which looks like the cover of this book) that takes him into the world of Redwoods and then ends with the boy leaving the book on a park bench to be found by another little girl and adventure repeats. This books gives many interesting facts about these fascinating trees. Chin, the author, gives comparisons to urban structures such as the Statue of Liberty and skysc...more
This is one of my favorite new books! I love the way it starts and ends with a boy finding a book on a subway bench (Which looks like the cover of this book) that takes him into the world of Redwoods and then ends with the boy leaving the book on a park bench to be found by another little girl and adventure repeats. This books gives many interesting facts about these fascinating trees. Chin, the author, gives comparisons to urban structures such as the Statue of Liberty and skysc...more
Informative book about the California redwoods presented with beautiful illustrations. While the text offers lots of interesting facts about redwoods, the illustrations tell the story of a young boy who is transported from his city home to the world of the redwoods through his reading of a book about the giant trees; in fact, the book he is reading is the same book that you, the reader, are also reading. The only complaint I have is the lack of source notes. Lots of neat statistics are provided,...more
5-24-12
Probably a 4.5. Read it this morning at 4AM when I couldn't get right back to sleep. Super interesting. Again, another book where I learned many new things. (What??? Redwoods sort of grow other trees???) The height of redwood trees is amazing. (Good comparisons.) I have to go there! I liked what the author/illustrator did with the "story within a story" through the illustrations. That concept is being seen more often in children's books. This would be a great book to show many picture boo...more
Probably a 4.5. Read it this morning at 4AM when I couldn't get right back to sleep. Super interesting. Again, another book where I learned many new things. (What??? Redwoods sort of grow other trees???) The height of redwood trees is amazing. (Good comparisons.) I have to go there! I liked what the author/illustrator did with the "story within a story" through the illustrations. That concept is being seen more often in children's books. This would be a great book to show many picture boo...more
Excellent! Non-fiction books for kids seem to be getting better and better these days. This one does such a great job of making the material immediately engaging and relevant for kids. Beautiful illustrations! I can't wait to read the others by this author - Coral Reefs and Island: A Story of the Galápagos.
ISBN-928-1-59643-430-1 c2009
This is an impressive book from start to finish. There's an abundance of scientific information about the redwoods which is easy to understand (good first introduction to these forests) but the story is told by the boy who finds the book at a subway station and as he reads, the facts in the book come to life around him! The oversized book and illustrations aptly suit the subject matter. This will be a perfect book to share with 4th grade teachers and students as they...more
This is an impressive book from start to finish. There's an abundance of scientific information about the redwoods which is easy to understand (good first introduction to these forests) but the story is told by the boy who finds the book at a subway station and as he reads, the facts in the book come to life around him! The oversized book and illustrations aptly suit the subject matter. This will be a perfect book to share with 4th grade teachers and students as they...more
A young boy waiting for the subway finds a book called "Redwoods" and as he reads he is transported to the forest he is reading about. This is a great book: lots of information presented in an entertaining way. It's simple enough for young readers but has appeal for older kids too. I love how many facts I learned! Did you know a redwood can live for more than 2,000 years so there are trees alive today that first sprouted during the Roman Empire? And the tallest redwood, at 379.1 feet, is taller...more
I absolutely loved this nonfiction picturebook I read about Redwoods. It starts out with a little boy reading a book and taking a trip to go see the redwoods and every page gives a fact about redwoods but not in a way that forces the information. A child will learn what the facts are in story like setting rather than in bullet points or fact bubbles like other nonfiction books. I would use this in a classroom with middle aged kids because we could read about them and further discuss the benefits...more
A wonderfully imaginative book about the giant Redwood trees found in California and Oregon. A young boy reads a book about redwoods as he is riding the train...all at once his surroundings change to reflect the environmental facts he is reading about.
Redwoods gives the young reader many interesting facts while making the tree come to life, so to speak. The illustrations really give one food for thought and inspires us to see these giant beauties for ourselves.
Redwoods gives the young reader many interesting facts while making the tree come to life, so to speak. The illustrations really give one food for thought and inspires us to see these giant beauties for ourselves.
Great blend of facts and fiction about redwood trees. At the same time, the main character and the reader learn about the beauty of redwood trees—the kinds of ecosystems they live in, their ability to withstand forest fires, their height compared to city buildings/famous landmarks, and the different animals that rely on the them year round. Another Interesting fact: redwoods create their own rain-like atmosphere in the forest. Full of action and adventure, even the words are simple not didactic....more
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Sep 21, 2009 12:11pm
I almost gave this one 5 stars. I can't wait for more books by Jason Chin!
Sep 21, 2009 12:17pm