Alyte

Gr 4 Up–Progress is inevitable and the expanding of humankind across the planet continues. But how does this look from the perspective of the animals and surrounding nature? A tragic event with a road leaves a tadpole, Alyte, growing up lost and alone. As she observes life through the experiences of others, Alyte swims upstream with a salmon, watches herds of mountain goats, and even communes with the spirit of a huge tree. Unfortunately, she also frequently observes the death part of the life cycle, giving her a perspective beyond that of any normal toad. How will Alyte help other toads and animals to avoid the fate awaiting all living things? French author/illustrator Moreau has crafted a masterpiece about nature and the circle of life—a work that invites reflection and is powerful enough to move readers to tears. Alyte, a French word meaning “midwife toad” and explained by the wise ancient tree as meaning “one who cannot be unbound,” is at the heart of this story, which revolves around getting the protagonist to that point. The author portrays the toad’s life as one of a courageous being who shakes the world beyond what any thought her capable of. Hopeful and positive messages are sprinkled throughout, but the hard truth about nature and how each animal reacts to it make this story unforgettable.