Guided by instinct, the old male salamander moves out from under his log and inches toward the spring pond in the Michigan forest. On this one night of the year, during the first spring rain of the March moon, he prepares for a mating dance exactly like the one his ancestors performed three million years before.

As he gropes clumsily toward the pond, the salamander encounters many other creatures. A woodsnail is unlocking the doors that kept him snug during winter, and a worm crawls out of its home in the center of an acorn.

When the salamander reaches the pond and chooses a female to dance with, the ritual of fertilization begins. Mrs. George's description of this mating and the events surrounding it is an enriching experience for every reader. The scientific accuracy of her narrative is complemented by John Kaufman's careful and beautiful illustrations.

From the dust jacket