This might be an opportunity to discuss the importance of trees as habitat. On page 25: we learn about all the animals that Red is a home for. If you and your older child are really fascinated by the idea of trees you might enjoy reading some of the book The Inner Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. A good, short video to watch on “tree communication” is the BBC’s youtube video: “How trees secretly talk to one another” (a google search should find it pretty quickly). You and your child might enjoy leaning a little about how trees communicate with one another. It turns of this is more true than most of us realize! In resent years scientists have realized that plants do in fact communicate with one another. On page 21: “Red” (the old Oak Tree that is the narrator) tells the reader that trees can in fact communicate, just not to people. At the end of each read aloud session, flip to a marked passage and discuss the quote or idea. Next go through the book and mark the passages with a post it note or book darts. Decide which of the explorations seem right for you and your child. My suggestion is: before you begin reading the story with your child, take 10 minutes to look over the guide. I strongly recommend this as a starting place for eco-based discussions! This is a beautiful story by Katherine Applegate is about community, friendship, the importance of home (a “sense of place”), the interconnection of plants and animals and people.
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