It seems virtually impossible. As I sit here during the bomb cyclone winter storm (how have I never heard this expression before?), awaiting -45 degree wind chills expected this weekend, salamanders seem far, far away.

And yet. The snow will melt. The earth will soften under cool spring rain, and the delightful spotted salamanders will make their slow and steady journey to pools and ponds by our house.

Luckily, this salamander crossing season is different. It coincides with the publication of my new picture book, Salamander Sky, releasing to the world on March 2, 2018 with Green Writer’s Press. The fabulous illustrator is Meg Sodano, and I can’t wait for readers to see her incredible paintings of April, salamanders, and the night sky.

Salamander Sky is the story of 10 year old April, who waits impatiently for the night that her mom will take her out to help the salamanders cross the dirt road by her house.  She wants to help these vulnerable creatures, who only come out on a few nights, and lumber along our roads. Come along with them, and learn how you can help salamanders in  your area survive this crossing, and feel good in the process.

Salamander Sky is available for pre-order at your local bookstore (best choice!) or on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

We are hosting a book launch and salamander crossing party at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, Vermont on March 10th from 3-5:30, and we will have presentations from naturalist Sean Beckett and Elizabeth Morse from the Center for EcoStudies about salamander migration, vernal pools, and citizen science (AND Salamander cookies!) as well as copies of the new book for sale.

Other upcoming events include:

• Bridgeside Books Reading: March 17th, 10:30am, Waterbury
• Kellogg Hubbard Library, March 24th, 10:30am, Montpelier
• Educator event, Bear Pond Books, TBD

Are you a librarian, book seller, parent, or teacher? Here is some information about what Salamander Sky has to offer:

• 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 first hand 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

Please be in touch if you would like to schedule a reading, a workshop about citizen science, or a writing workshop with your organization, class, or group!

Back to high winds, freezing temperatures, and the bomb cyclone. I’m waiting for the salamander sky (feels like years away!).