Salvatore and the goats of Mount Etna

Salvatore and his parents live on a farm at the foot of Mount Etna, an active volcano. Today, Papa puts Salvatore in charge of the goats, reminding him to lead them, not to follow them up the mountain. Salvatore steadily guides the herd, but the lead goat, Bianca, is acting strangely, frequently circling him on the path. Upon reaching the meadow, she repeatedly leaps, kicking her hooves and tossing her head. Similarly agitated, the other goats do the same. Suddenly, Bianca runs down the path, followed by the others. Hearing the volcano rumble, Salvatore understands at last. He finds the frightened herd, reassures Bianca, and guides the goats home, where Papa tells Salvatore that he did the right thing. Müller, who wrote the well-constructed story, is a coordinator for a space-based animal-tracking program. The back matter discusses the possibility of early warning systems based on animal-behavior changes prior to natural disasters. Lane, a former wildlife biologist whose art reflects her love of the natural world, utilizes bright yet delicate mixed-media illustrations for this engaging picture book.

A young boy discovers that he can learn a lot from others if he just pays attention. Tan-skinned Salvatore and his family live on a goat farm at the base of Mount Etna. He bonds with a herding dog named Gina and the goats, led by Bianca. One day, Salvatore takes the herd up the mountain on his own, without Papa's guidance, to graze on fresh herbs. As they ascend, the animals act strangely--much to Salvatore's chagrin. Gina barks, the goats buck wildly, and all refuse to move. Though Papa's words ("YOU herd the goats. They don't herd you") echo in his mind, he realizes that something's wrong as Mount Etna starts to smoke and spew lava. The herd safely leads Gina and Salvatore down to their home thanks to their natural intuition. The author, coordinator of the ICARUS Project, a group that works to "make the extraordinary sensory capabilities of many animals useful to humans," based the story on an incident at the real Mount Etna in Sicily. Her text and Lane's dreamy, delicately rendered art will leave readers with an appreciation for the natural world. Lane's portrayal of the goat herd showcases their humanity, with their playfully arched backs and expressive faces. Backmatter includes more information on Müller's work and how it can contribute to creating more advanced warning systems for natural disasters--a must, given how these events have increased due to climate change. A thrilling look at the benefits of connecting with the natural world and listening to one's instincts.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.