Crossings: Extraordinary Structures for Extraordinary Animals

PreS-Gr 2–The refrain “over, under, across, and through” carries readers through this picture book depicting unique animal crossings. Each page features different animal families using human-made structures built specifically for them; these structures allow the families to travel through habitats that have been altered by human transportation routes. Realistic digital illustrations rendered in saturated brown, blue, green, and yellow tones capture movement and use bold angles and dynamic lines. A pair of coyotes trot over a freeway, a mama elephant and her baby amble under a busy street, monkeys climb across a rope bridge, and a penguin family waddles through a tunnel. Tender moments between parents and their young (a Florida panther shields her cubs from headlights veering toward them) are balanced by portrayals of animal families cheerfully playing in and using the crossings. Small blocks of informational text are included throughout the simple narrative. A final page contains additional information about animal crossings around the world.