The Ever-Living Tree: The Life and Times of a Coast Redwood
What’s inside...
Tells the story of how the ever-living sequoia, also known as the coast redwood, came to be, and compares its longevity to the history of the world. This book plots the march of history as the life of an ever-living sequoia unfolds in a Pacific northwest forest. In this part history, part nature book, major world events unfold over the life-span of a centuries-old redwood until the tree is hit by lightning in the nineteenth century and enters a new stage of nature's development.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think it would be like to live for over a thousand years like the Coast Redwood in the book?
How do you think the world around the Redwood tree changes through the different eras mentioned in the book?
Why do you think it's important to protect ancient trees and forests?
How do the illustrations help you understand the story of the tree's life?
What feelings did you experience while learning about the life cycle of the Coast Redwood?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the longevity and resilience of the Coast Redwood. Draw parallels between the tree's life stages and human life stages to make the concept more relatable. Use the book's illustrations as a visual aid to discuss changes in the environment over centuries. Finally, emphasize the importance of conservation and what actions we can take to protect natural habitats.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The book details the life cycle of a Coast Redwood and the ecosystem it supports, emphasizing the importance of conserving such majestic natural entities.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be mindful of their environment, understanding the impact of their actions on nature, and fostering a sense of responsibility towards Earth.
Example Lesson: Understanding ecosystems
Explanation: By following the life of a Coast Redwood, the book explores various animals and plants that interact with the tree, showing the interdependence of species.
Real-World Application: This can help children grasp the concept of ecosystems and the role each organism plays, promoting an understanding of biodiversity and the need for ecological balance.
Example Lesson: Patience and growth
Explanation: The narrative chronicles the slow yet steady growth of the Redwood tree across centuries, illustrating the natural process of growth and development.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of patience and the importance of giving themselves and others the time to grow and mature at their own pace.
Example Lesson: Historical perspective
Explanation: As the story spans several centuries, it introduces children to changes over time not only in the natural world but also in human civilizations interacting with the tree.
Real-World Application: This lesson offers children a broader perspective on time and history, giving them an understanding of continuity and change in the natural and human-made world.
Example Lesson: Conservation and activism
Explanation: The book subtly introduces the threats to redwoods such as logging and environmental changes, stressing the importance of conservation efforts.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of conservation and are inspired to participate in or support environmental causes from a young age, fostering a generation that is aware and active in sustainable practices.