Illustrated by Carol Benioff
Boyds Mills Press
Ages 4–9, 40 pages
Smithsonian Notable Book for Children 2010
Massachusetts Book Awards "Must-Read" Book 2011
Audubon Magazine's 2012 List of Notable Books
Science Books and Films' Summer Reading Guide 2011
Society of School Librarians International, Honor Book
Keystone to Reading Book Award List 2011-2012
Chickadee Award - short list
On the first warm rainy night of spring — Big Night — spotted salamanders by the hundreds crawl out of the woods and down to a vernal pool, where they mate and lay their eggs.
Evan and his parents know the salamanders need their help, for a road interrupts the salamanders’ path to the vernal pool. Crossing a road at night is dangerous, especially for small amphibians. The family slows the traffic. They carry salamanders across the road. But the cars keep coming, and the hour is late. How can the family help these delicate creatures cross the road in safety?
Evan has a solution…
...The text elegantly blends fiction and nonfiction, alternating between lyrical, italicized descriptions of the salamanders and their movements and a straightforward narrative about the family helping them. The use of present tense lends immediacy and suspense to the tale, and Benioff's gouache illustrations impart a sense of wonder.... This is an excellent addition to science units and could be paired with Anne Mazer’s The Salamander Room for a super salamander storytime. – School Library Journal
...the gouache paintings add color and drama to this informative picture book. A solid choice for primary-grade science units. – Booklist
A great conservation first read about salamanders for young folks; pointedly notes the perils these amphibians face when crossing a road during spring rains. Maybe this book will start a revolution within the next generation, a movement to bring about the closure of roads near vernal pools or to demand the building of strategically placed road underpasses for use by the wee creatures of the earth. – Center for North American Herpetology
It is a pleasure seeing a child of color in a story where there is no mention of it at all. – Kids Lit blog
This is an inspirational story to read aloud and an engaging way for children to learn that they can take action to help resolve conflicts between humans and the natural environment. – Science Books & Films
Visit AUTHOR VISITS page for information regarding school visit presentations.
The Vernal Pool Association aims to create awareness and educate others, particularly students and teachers, about vernal pool ecology, the local environment, biodiversity, and the protection of our resources.