SALVATORE AND THE GOATS OF MOUNT ETNA

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.