Safe Crossing

Sumptuous in text and image, this story of environmental and civic engagement opens as an unnamed child narrator and family don headlamps, rain jackets, and reflector vests to join the local Amphibian Migration Team on “a wet road on a wet night in spring.” The amphibians are about to take their annual trip “down from the woods, out of the holes,” to lay their eggs in vernal pools across a busy road, and citizen scientists will work to help the critters cross safely. With wondering, reiterative language and luminous digital images inspired by woodcuts, Percival (How to Say Hello to a Worm) celebrates the wonder of biodiversity—every pictured creature is marquee-worthy—alongside the passion and hard work that animate conservation efforts. When the narrator has the idea of creating a permanent wildlife tunnel, the story shifts to one of youth-led activism as data is collected, money is raised, and construction begins. In the final pages, the amphibians movingly make their first safe crossings via a new “wet road on a wet night in spring.” Characters are shown with various skin tones. Extensive back matter concludes. Ages 5–8. Agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Bookmark Literary. (Jan.)