Toad Weather

A young girl, her mother, and her grandmother embark on a rainy day adventure in this engrossing story of discovery and wonder, inspired by a true story.

There's nothing to do on a rainy day—or so Ally thinks. But Mama says she's seen something amazing, so despite Ally's misgivings, she sets out on an adventure with her mother and grandmother.

On their journey, she sees all sorts of things: dripping awnings, wet cardboard, splashing cars...but also earthworms, storm drain geysers, and oil slick patterns. And then they turn the corner, just in time to see a big crowd. What's happening?

Lyrical text from Sandra Markle and stunning paintings from New York Times best-selling illustrator Thomas Gonzalez tell a captivating, multigenerational story of a toad migration, inspired by the real-life Toad Detour in Roxborough, Pennsylvania."A fine addition to the sense-of-wonder shelf." —Kirkus Reviews

"An appealing seasonal selection" —School Library Journal

"Gonzalez's pastel, pencil, and airbrush illustrations movingly highlight the softening attitudes of the girl and her grandmother as they get swept up in one of nature's small, unexpected miracles." —Publishers Weekly

"Gonzalez's illustrations lovingly capture the wet reflections of galoshes, glowing street lights, and shadows in aqueous watercolor washes, and the rows of toads leaping through the grass are awfully cute." —Booklist

"Gonzalez's colorful illustrations, almost photo-realistic yet shimmering with rainy-day mystery, add excitement to an already engrossing story." —The New York TimesSandra Markle is the author of more than two hundred books for children. She has won numerous awards, including the Prize for Excellence in Science Books given by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book, and the Charlotte Zolotow Award. She has also developed science specials for CNN and PBS. Through her affiliation with the National Science Foundation, Markle traveled extensively in Antarctica and developed one of the first online educational programs. She lives in Florida.

Thomas Gonzalez is an illustrator, designer, and portrait artist. A native of Cuba, he came to the United States when he was ten years old. He studied at the Atlanta School of Art (now called Savannah of Art and Design). After working at the Coca-Cola Company for more than twenty years, Tom held several creative positions with other global brands. He has illustrated many picture books, including the New York Times best-seller 14 Cows for America. He lives in Georgia.