Salamander Dance Hardcover – Picture Book, April 1, 2016

I bought this for my grandsons and was not disappointed. The illustrations are beautiful and the information is interesting and engaging.

Beautiful and scientifically accurate! Both the pictures and story are true to my experiences as a biologist working in vernal pools. Great book to introduce kids to the wonders of vernal pools. I keep buying more of these for all the families I know.

Salamander Dance by David FitzSimmons is a feast for the eyes and a delightful read that introduces young readers to the exotic woodland world of the spotted salamander.The story traces the life cycle of these shy amphibians as they find their way to cool vernal pools in the spring where their dance takes place in the dark of the night. A few days later, the females lay eggs then return to their forest homes. Baby salamanders, known as larvae, emerge a month later and live their underwater life sustained by plankton and insects. As summer warms and dries the pools, the salamander’s metamorphosis causes them to grow legs, and their gills disappear as their lungs develop. Soon the young salamanders make their way into the forest and seek refuge where they will hibernate throughout the winter. Lyrical descriptions, “Through slippery leaves, down muddy slopes, salamanders slide silently into the rising waters of their vernal pools,” are paired with richly colored illustrations of varying perspectives. The detailed pictures yield new information with each examination – an invitation to delve deeper.The final pages include a discussion that explains what vernal pools are and how they are created. Additional information on the natural history, migration, dancing, life-cycle, and diet of the salamander is provided along with a Glossary.A perfect choice for nature lovers.

My niece borrowed this book from school and showed me. They were studying amphibians and even got to touch a real salamander. Neverthought this girl would do that! But she was excited pointing out the life cycle on the pages and telling what she knew. Great illustrations, btw. Even learned a few things myself... Sending her one to keep at home now. Really committed writer about nature for kids from what I can tell off of his site.

This book is one of my favorites. My kids love to learn about nature topics and this book tells the story of the salamander. Now, my children go out looking into vernal pools to find salamanders having their party. This book is best suited for prek through elementary age children. Illustrations are outstanding!

Fun book to read!