Redwoods

Author and illustrator Jason Chin’s 2009 picture book is adapted in this iconographic-animated short that features narration by Qarie Marshall and a string-heavy soundtrack. A nameless city boy picks up a book on the subway that leads to an imaginative journey into the world of redwood trees. With realistic backdrops including smoky fog, and greens and browns depicting intricate details of moss, ferns, and ivy, Redwoods serves up a barrage of facts about the gargantuan trees, including their history, huge dimensions, root systems, surrounding wildlife and plants, and the ways that redwoods protect themselves, including making their own condensed rain, and even defending from fire thanks to thick bark (the film does have a bit of a scary scene with the boy running amongst flames). Also touching on the dangers of large-scale logging and lax environmental protections, the film’s bonus features include a read-along option and an author’s note. Recommended. Aud: E, I, P. (J. Williams-Wood)