Woodsong, set in northern Minnesota and Alaska, shows the strong wilderness focus that is seen in many of Paulsen's books. With his keen sense of observation, Paulsen turns from hunting and trapping and becomes a student of nature or the environment; he observes it and changes because of those observations. In the woods, he finds beauty, violence, humor, and wisdom. But, above all, he realizes that he must take the time and the effort to learn from what he sees.