Percival, Kari. Safe Crossing. Kari Percival, Illus. Chronicle, 01/25. [48]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-7972-1456-6. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.
On a wet night in spring, a biracial family becomes a crossing crew—safely ushering migrating amphibians across a road. Richly layered digital prints in purples and yellows capture the warm lighted home, the atmospheric woods, and the bright eyes and spotted skins of the frogs and salamanders. Questions are central, as the older girl wonders how the creatures know when to migrate and responds to her younger sister’s many questions of why and how. Repeated phrases and visual motifs tie the story together. The girls’ beaded hair and spotted clothing echo the amphibians’ markings and precious eggs. Rich back matter includes lifecycle information, fun facts, citizen scientist activities, a road safety and safe-handling primer, sources of additional information, a glossary, and a seek-and-find checklist on the endpapers. Diverse ethnicities are shown. The mother and children appear Black, the father white.
Melissa McAvoy—Retired