Salamander Sky
by Katy Farber | Illustrated by Meg Sodano
2019 John Burroughs Association Riverby Award
2019 Green Earth Book Award Honor
2018 Nautilus Book Award – Silver
Finalist for the 2018 New England Children’s Book Award
Every spring in the eastern region of the United States the first steady, warm rains bring the migration of thousands of spotted salamanders (along with other amphibians) to ponds and pools, often across busy roads. These crossings are magical and secretive—most people don’t even know they happen. Salamander Sky features a mother and daughter who go out on a rainy night to help the salamanders cross the road safely. This dramatic, full-color, picture book introduces the reader to the elusive spotted salamander and the perilous nighttime journey that takes place every spring. Amphibians worldwide desperately need protection. This book is a valuable tool for getting children engaged in conservation.
“Salamander Sky has within its pages the power to ignite curiosity in the unexplored backyard while at the same time respecting and not disrupting nature’s hand in the survival of a species. And what could be better than that?”
-Matthew C. Winner, Co-Founder of All the Wonders
“A lovely vehicle for sharing nature with children.”
-Kirkus Reviews
“A sweet, engaging story for young students with an interest in wildlife biology and conservation. Farber’s obvious passion for her subject shines through her vivid words and gentle pacing while Sodano’s illustrations weave in new information on salamander biology and human impact. This book is sure to make readers want to pull on their boots and save some salamanders!”
-Katherine Roy, Author and Illustrator of How to Be an Elephant and Neighborhood Sharks
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For Educators/Parents/Guardians/Librarians/Booksellers
Salamander Sky:
- targets many of the Next Generation Science Standards for elementary school students, including life cycles, wetland habitats, diversity, adaptations and human impact
- communicates a strong conservation message
- geared toward preschool through elementary school aged students
- models firsthand exploration and investigation in nature
- addresses human impact on the environment and encourages active participation in solutions
- provides a resource for science teachers, environmental educators and parents to introduce inquiry to students
- inspires engagement and curiosity
- focuses on a vulnerable and often unnoticed species of amphibians that inhabits much of the Eastern United States
- embraces diversity and promotes women in science
Download the vernal pool coloring page!
About the Author: Katy Farber is a author, blogger, and teacher coach from Vermont. She has defended salamanders since standing in a Pennsylvania creek at the age of ten. Her other book for children is a middle grade novel called The Order of the Trees, which won Green Earth Honor book award in 2015.
katyfarber.com
About the Illustrator: Meg Sodano grew up in Connecticut, exploring the woodlands and seashore, and drawing her favorite animals. She studied natural science illustration at Rhode Island School of Design and Animal Science at the University of Vermont. While making the pictures for this book, she wandered rain-soaked nature preserves, sketched tree roots and vernal pools, and of course, looked for amphibians.
msodanoillustration.com
SPECS:
CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK
32 pages
10.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.29(d)
$17.95
ISBN: 9781954277137
Publication date: December 1, 2022
Publisher: McSea Books
(Salamander Sky was previously published in 2017 by Green Writers Press.)
Meg Sodano - Illustration & Design 