Redwoods

PreS-Gr 2—Giant redwoods stretch to the skies, creating their own ecosystems. These huge trees have a heritage that reaches back to the dinosaurs, but they are now endangered. Chin's clear and expressive text is beautifully served by Qarie Marshall's warm narration. Compelling music entwines with, but does not overwhelm, the performance, and adapts to changes in the text. This cannot stand alone, however. It is clear that listeners should have Chin's delightful illustrations in front of them. This is especially true since the illustrations carry much of the story and provide an imaginative touchstone for listeners. Narration deliberately pauses for picture perusal, giving listeners a chance to appreciate both text and illustration. There's a lot of solid information here, beautifully presented, with new vocabulary nicely explained.