Salamander Sky features a mother and daughter who are waiting for the perfect night to do a most special act. They are waiting to help the salamanders cross the busy road in their area. Due to the low numbers, these creatures (who are very important to the ecosystem) need a little help to literally, get to the other side of the road. In a fiction format (with factual pieces of information sprinkled throughout) you see how every spring in the eastern regions of the United States, this migration takes place. This book can help your child get interested in conservation and, in general, salamanders.
Meg Sodano’s illustrations are detailed and warm with cool colors. They complement the text of the story as it too, is warm but softly spoken. The waiting of the young narrator is handled well. She is impatient, but knows she must wait for the perfect time to act. Also, while you obviously see that the mother is a scientist, it is not done overly pushy. Katy Farber and Sodano have created a delightfully different read.
This book would be the perfect addition to any school or classroom library. If you have a child interesting in amphibians this might be a nice addition as salamanders are not as “flashy” as other animals or amphibians. Also, if you have a child not into “creepy crawlies” this also would be good to read as it shows how the salamander is not creepy (but is crawly) and how important they are to keeping the balance within nature.