Where the Forest Meets the Sea: questions to ask and activities to try
A boy explores a rainforest beside the sea and imagines it long ago. Where the Forest Meets the Sea is a beautiful collage book by Jeannie Baker about rainforests, the past and caring for the future.
What age is it for? Where the Forest Meets the Sea is best for ages 5–8. Good for: Rainforests, the past, and wondering what the future holds.
Where the Forest Meets the Sea (Jeannie Baker)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Rainforests, the past, and wondering what the future holds
Look closely at the collages and spot the faint shapes of animals and children from long ago. Talk about why the forest matters.
What it helps with
- Learning about rainforests
- Imagining the past
- Caring about the future
- Looking closely at pictures
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “How did the boy get to the forest?”
- “What did he imagine from long ago?”
- “Can you spot the hidden shapes in the pictures?”
- “How did the boy feel about the forest?”
- “Why do you think he wondered if it would still be there?”
- “How can we help look after forests?”
5-minute activities to try together
Collage forest
Make a forest collage from magazines, leaves and scraps of paper, like Jeannie Baker’s pictures.
Then and now
Find an old photo of your street or town and talk about what has changed and what has stayed.
Free printables: Where the Forest Meets the Sea worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Window (Jeannie Baker)
- Best for
- A wordless view of a changing landscape
- Age
- 4-9
The Curious Garden (Peter Brown)
- Best for
- Caring for nature, and how one child can change a whole city
- Age
- 4-8
Here We Are (Oliver Jeffers)
- Best for
- A guide to life on planet Earth
- Age
- 2-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 16 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.