Salamander Dance

The life cycles of spotted salamanders unfold through the seasons in a lush woodland. FitzSimmons vividly describes the amphibians’ behavior, including their “nighttime ballet” in vernal pools. The salamanders’ (mating) dance results in “jelly-like sacs” of eggs attached to branches in the pool; after hatching, the baby salamanders soon leave their watery home for land, shedding their gills and growing lungs. Newcomer DiGiorgio creates an immersive semiaquatic environment in his vibrant paintings, the salamanders’ bright yellow spots shining like beacons amid the deep blues of the vernal pools. It’s an affectionate tribute to a little noticed species. Endnotes provide further details about the salamanders and their environment. Ages 5–7. (Apr.)