Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors
What’s inside...
With original and spot-on perceptions, Joyce Sidman's poetry brings the colors of the seasons to life in a fresh light, combining the senses of sight, sound, smell and taste. In this Caldecott Honor book, illustrator Pam Zagarenski's interpretations go beyond the concrete, allowing us to not just see color, but feel it.
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What colors do you notice around you each season? How do they make you feel?
Can you think of a color and a feeling it brings when you see it, just like in the book?
Why do you think the author chose to talk about the year in terms of colors?
Which part of the book was your favorite and why? How did the colors in that part make you feel?
If you could add a color to one of the seasons in the book, which season would it be and what color would you add?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to explore their surroundings and relate the colors they see to their feelings, mirroring the poetic style of the book. Discuss the emotional connections that colors can evoke and share your own color-related memories. Use descriptive language to deepen their understanding and appreciation of colors in different contexts. After reading, consider a creative activity like drawing scenes from each season with the colors mentioned in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation of nature
Explanation: The book 'Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors' uses colors to explore the changing seasons and the beauty of nature throughout the year.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to observe and appreciate the natural world around them, fostering a lifelong respect and care for the environment.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: Joyce Sidman utilizes poetic language and vivid imagery to personify colors and elements of nature, encouraging a creative view of the world.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their imagination and creativity in their everyday play and learning, enhancing their problem-solving skills and artistic expressions.
Example Lesson: Understanding seasons
Explanation: The book describes how colors shift with the seasons, from the bright blooms of spring to the white snow of winter.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the cycle of the seasons and how changes in weather affect the environment, helping them understand the passage of time and the rhythm of nature.