Readers will learn so much about amphibians and their habitats and get a great introduction to civic participation, too. The citizen scientist at the heart of this story presents her proposal for a wildlife tunnel to her local City Council and coordinates with stakeholders in the process like a wildlife biologist, a herpetologist, a roadway engineer, a surveyor, the Conservation Commission, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Department of Transportation, contractors, and reporters. It’s a fascinating way to find out how local government works and how kids can actively create social change.

Playful and educational, Safe Crossing offers an empowering example of how even the youngest citizens can raise awareness about a meaningful cause, drive change, and unite people locally and globally.

BECOME A CITIZEN SCIENTIST: Citizen scientists are rallying around the world. You, too, can train to be an amphibian crossing guard! Protecting amphibians as they migrate to and from laying eggs means protecting many endangered species.

CONNECTION AND CONSERVATION: Doing citizen science gives kids and caregivers a meaningful way to connect with neighbors, friends, and their local ecosystem. This book offers a powerful example of how children can make a difference by raising awareness and uniting a community around causes they care about.

FASCINATING BACKMATTER: There’s so much to learn! Additional resources at the back of the book include information on amphibian life cycles, crossings, and safety, wildlife tunnels, road safety, becoming a community scientist, and a glossary. As an added bonus, the front and back endpapers feature scavenger hunts for spring peeper tadpoles, spotted salamander eggs, tiny fairy shrimp, and much more!

Ages 5 to 8.