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Salamander Sky
Every spring in the eastern region of the United States, warmer nights with steady rain bring the migration of thousands of spotted salamanders to ponds and pools, often across busy roads. These crossings are magical, and secretive--most people don't even know they happen. Salamander Sky features a mother and daughter who go out on a rainy night to help the salamanders cross the road safely. This dramatic, full-color, picture book introduces readers to the elusive spotted salamanders and the perilous nighttime journeythey take each spring. Amphibians worldwide desperately need protection. This book is a valuable tool for getting children engaged in conservation.
For Educators/Parents/Guardians/Librarians/Booksellers
Salamander Sky:
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 firsthand 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
For Educators/Parents/Guardians/Librarians/Booksellers
Salamander Sky:
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 firsthand 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
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 9, 2018
58 people want to read
About the author
Katy Farber
14 books91 followersKaty Farber is an author and Assistant Professor of Education in Vermont. Katy has authored or co-authored four books about education, a picture book called Salamander Sky (McSea Books), and a middle grade novel called The Order of the Trees. Her latest education book came out in June, called Real Talk for New Teachers: Tools for a Sustainable Career with Routledge. Her debut fiction for adults is called The Board and will be published by Blackstone Publishing on Sept. 9, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 9, 2018
Author and Educator Katy Farber takes us on another magical journey through childhood--this time with Salamander Sky. We travel through a child’s eager eyes to a spring evening when the spotted salamanders return. The story embraces the idea of taking care of nature and helping others. In this book, Farber and Sodano beautifully weave a science lesson with a sweet family tradition. As an elementary school teacher and a parent, I highly recommend adding this captivating and educational book to your shelves!
March 2, 2018
In Salamander Sky, Katy Farber and Meg Sodano write and illustrate April’s day as she watches the rain, reads a book, stands in the pouring rain, and waits for the salamanders. The touches, sounds and sights that we experience through April make it a special day for all of us.
The change of seasons engages us with a Pitter, patter, drip, drop. For now, the salamanders are underground, safe and snug. April’s flutter of hope, and the all-day rain, will surely stir spring and the spotted salamanders into action. Will she be able to help them?
I like how, on the first page, the illustrator frames the dry, safe world of the main character with the soft beiges and grays of early spring, and then frames that same landscape from inside her bedroom, showing her favorite books and personal items. There are two perspectives here. Children will relate to this young girl as she looks out her bedroom window. April and the salamanders are part of the same world, yet their experiences are quite different.
Most people don’t realize why we need spotted salamanders in our world. In Salamander Sky, the facts about these creatures are skillfully inserted and shared with the reader. As with much of nature, the salamanders are at risk. April hopes she’ll be able to help them complete a dangerous task.
Not only does Farber personalize the slimy creatures, but in using the name of April for the main character, the springtime month itself is waiting for them to come out of their hiding places. We wait with April for the shy creatures to make an appearance.
Cold, chill, heavy.
When April’s eyes connect with those of the salamander, a bond is formed.
Warm. Glow.
April looks for more friends to help. Her empathy has evolved into an act of kindness that will extend beyond this particular creature.
Readers of Salamander Sky will love the poetry of its text and the artistry of its illustrations. Beyond that, young people will be inspired to not only care about the natural world, but to act on their empathy and to make a difference. That makes this a book worthy of keeping on the shelf.
The change of seasons engages us with a Pitter, patter, drip, drop. For now, the salamanders are underground, safe and snug. April’s flutter of hope, and the all-day rain, will surely stir spring and the spotted salamanders into action. Will she be able to help them?
I like how, on the first page, the illustrator frames the dry, safe world of the main character with the soft beiges and grays of early spring, and then frames that same landscape from inside her bedroom, showing her favorite books and personal items. There are two perspectives here. Children will relate to this young girl as she looks out her bedroom window. April and the salamanders are part of the same world, yet their experiences are quite different.
Most people don’t realize why we need spotted salamanders in our world. In Salamander Sky, the facts about these creatures are skillfully inserted and shared with the reader. As with much of nature, the salamanders are at risk. April hopes she’ll be able to help them complete a dangerous task.
Not only does Farber personalize the slimy creatures, but in using the name of April for the main character, the springtime month itself is waiting for them to come out of their hiding places. We wait with April for the shy creatures to make an appearance.
Cold, chill, heavy.
When April’s eyes connect with those of the salamander, a bond is formed.
Warm. Glow.
April looks for more friends to help. Her empathy has evolved into an act of kindness that will extend beyond this particular creature.
Readers of Salamander Sky will love the poetry of its text and the artistry of its illustrations. Beyond that, young people will be inspired to not only care about the natural world, but to act on their empathy and to make a difference. That makes this a book worthy of keeping on the shelf.
November 22, 2018
I really enjoyed reading Salamander Sky. This is a tale of tiny creature, a specific type of salamander called the spotted salamanders. The book narrates the migration of the spotted salamander from the perspective of a girl.
A girl is looking forward to seeing these creatures in their migration journey. Its perfect time of the year, April and the rain is coming down hard. The rain is perfect for these little creatures in their journey.. although it was not clear to me what the journey was (from where to where and why). The girl narrates the various challenges these creatures face as well as their role in natures intricate web of connectivity.
Finally the girls gets the signal from her mom that the salamanders are around and she rushes to go find a few and help them in their migration.
The book has lovely illustrations, well narrated and descriptive enough, but in my opinion lacks the rigor of a good non fiction. I was left wanting to know more about the salamanders along the way as well as more in the back matter. A good first start, and might be better suited for a mix of fiction with interesting information about the salamanders.
A girl is looking forward to seeing these creatures in their migration journey. Its perfect time of the year, April and the rain is coming down hard. The rain is perfect for these little creatures in their journey.. although it was not clear to me what the journey was (from where to where and why). The girl narrates the various challenges these creatures face as well as their role in natures intricate web of connectivity.
Finally the girls gets the signal from her mom that the salamanders are around and she rushes to go find a few and help them in their migration.
The book has lovely illustrations, well narrated and descriptive enough, but in my opinion lacks the rigor of a good non fiction. I was left wanting to know more about the salamanders along the way as well as more in the back matter. A good first start, and might be better suited for a mix of fiction with interesting information about the salamanders.
March 26, 2022
“Deep inside I feel warm. Even though I am dripping wet, there is a glow in my chest. I have done something good.”
A girl and her mother await the time to help the spotted salamanders. The spotted salamanders live underground waiting for the rain. In the spring, when there is enough moisture “Perfect for a sopping, slimy, shy creature to creep up and out” thousands of salamanders come back above ground. Unfortunately, they must cross a road to get to their pond. These salamanders are important to the habitat because they show us where the clean water is. They are a piece of the puzzle, interconnected with everything around them. That is why the girl and her mother are out at night in the rain ensuring that the salamanders make it safely across the road.
A good read aloud to talk to kids about environmental issues and habitats.
Pair with Toad Weather by Sandra Markle.
A girl and her mother await the time to help the spotted salamanders. The spotted salamanders live underground waiting for the rain. In the spring, when there is enough moisture “Perfect for a sopping, slimy, shy creature to creep up and out” thousands of salamanders come back above ground. Unfortunately, they must cross a road to get to their pond. These salamanders are important to the habitat because they show us where the clean water is. They are a piece of the puzzle, interconnected with everything around them. That is why the girl and her mother are out at night in the rain ensuring that the salamanders make it safely across the road.
A good read aloud to talk to kids about environmental issues and habitats.
Pair with Toad Weather by Sandra Markle.
January 6, 2019
It's funny, Jacqueline Woodson's book, The Day You Begin popped into my head when I started reading this one. I think it is the lovely poetic writing and the story of caring and understanding someone/something other than yourself. This book is a call to arms to get outside and do something good for wildlife. I added it to my non-fiction tag because while it is a story, it also shares facts and information about the spotted salamander. I love that rain is the special weather. Beautiful! Important! Happy!
February 18, 2018
I got a sneak peek at this beautiful picture book. I must admit that I am very partial to the theme of the book--I love the real-life people--especially the kids-- who help salamanders cross roads on warm rainy Spring nights. This is a lovely tale that will really appeal to kids who care about nature and are curious about simple ways that they could actually contribute to helping animals. The illustrations are beautiful. Great book!
March 12, 2018
This book strikes the perfect balance between engaging story and environmental education. It is both a sweet and personal first person account by a young girl, as well as a portrait of the elusive spotted salamander. It focuses on the quiet beauty of a child's relationship with nature and also how to help spotted salamanders in their annual - and dangerous- journey.
Thank you, Katy Farber & Meg Sodano, for bringing this underrepresented creature & its journey to young readers and their families!
Thank you, Katy Farber & Meg Sodano, for bringing this underrepresented creature & its journey to young readers and their families!
March 14, 2018
As an elementary science teacher I am always eager to find picture books that are appropriate for a read aloud and have great information. This story is written in a lyrical voice that is fun to read. It tells about a young girl and her mom, who is a scientist waiting for the night the salamanders come out. I love the girl's interaction with her mom as she learns about and explores nature.
March 16, 2019
Every school and library should have a copy of this incredible book. Beautifully illustrated. I love the author's style. In a few words, she describes where the salamanders live and the barriers they encounter while migrating back to the same body of water where they were born to reproduce.
March 9, 2018
A lyical journey showing a strong female MC and her scientist mom doing their part for the Earth. A STEM-classroom must-have!
March 13, 2018
I love this book! The passion for the little Salamanders comes through in the story and the illustrations. A great book to teach little ones to care for the most vulnerable beings around us.
March 29, 2018
Wonderful picture book for children and adults alike. Brings to life a girl who loves nature and has a passion to care for it. Inspiring and a call to duty as well for salamanders everywhere!
July 25, 2018
A great mix of scientific facts and a story. A terrific book for a budding naturalist.
August 7, 2018
I really like this book so much! Wished there was back matter to get more info on the subject.
August 23, 2018
A great book for elementary school children. It is both an interesting and informative read as it touches upon the lifecycle and migration period of a yellow spotted salamander.
May 29, 2019
Great read aloud to show either/both how to make a difference (citizen scientist) and how interconnected nature is
July 2, 2019
An elementary and up book about a young girl waiting for the weather to be right so she can endagered salamander cross ffrom winter hiding spots to summer spots without being harmed.
April 6, 2020
Great story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews