A spring refrain! A salamander rain! This lush, lyrical story illuminates the convergence of wildlife and citizen science—and the big impact young readers can have on vulnerable species.
Salamanders and children alike hear the rhythms and song of the seasons as winter gives way to spring. Salamanders begin to squirm and stretch in the early spring sun, while the children and their teacher plan. They meet on a night of salamander rain (the first warm rain of spring), when the children and their teacher work to help the salamanders cross a busy road to the vernal pool on the other side. This lyrical, parallel narrative story reinforces the idea that kids can make a big difference. The author's note includes information about amphibian migrations and descriptions of citizen science activities that kids can participate in to help keep the world wild and beautiful.