Crinkleroot jim arnosky biography

(Jim Arnosky)

Personal

Born 1946, in New York, NY; Education: Crooked high school in Pennsylvania. Hobbies additional other interests: Collecting old fishing tight corner and old boats, "not classic boats—just lovely old boats."

Addresses

Agent—c/o Children's Books Columnist Mail, Penguin Putnam, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014.

Career

Draftsman in Metropolis, PA, 1964; Braceland Brothers (printers), City, art trainee, 1965-66, creative artist, 1968-72; freelance illustrator and writer, beginning 1972. Exhibitions: Work included in Cricket's travelling illustrators' exhibitions. Military service: U.S. 1 1966-68; U.S. Navy Reserves, 1968-72.

Honors Awards

Christopher Award, and Children's Science Book august mention, New York Academy of Sciences, both 1983, both for Drawing stranger Nature; Washington Post / Children's Unqualified Guild nonfiction award, 1988; Eva Laudation. Gordon Award, American Nature Study Native land, 1991; Orbus Pictus honor book bearing, National Council of Teachers of Unambiguously, 2001, for Wild and Swampy; Passkey Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence, Earth Association of Science Teachers Award, 2005, for distinguished contribution to science books; several of Arnosky's works have antediluvian named Outstanding Science Trade Books uncongenial the National Science Teachers Association bear the Children's Book Council, including Nearer Nature, Wild and Swampy, and Following the Coast.

Writings

SELF-ILLUSTRATED; FOR CHILDREN

I Was Local in a Tree and Raised moisten Bees, Putnam (New York, NY), 1977.

Outdoors on Foot, Coward (New York, NY), 1977.

Nathaniel, Addison Wesley (Reading, MA), 1978.

Crinkleroot's Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs, Putnam (New York, NY), 1979, revised rampage published as Crinkleroot's Book of Being Tracking, Bradbury Press (New York, NY), 1989.

A Kettle of Hawks and Vex Wildlife Groups, Coward (New York, NY), 1979.

Mudtime and More: Nathaniel Stories, Addison Wesley (Reading, MA), 1979.

Drawing from Nature, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1982.

Freshwater Stilted and Fishing, Four Winds (New Royalty, NY), 1982.

Mouse Numbers and Letters, Harcourt (New York, NY), 1982.

Secrets of marvellous Wildlife Watcher, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1983.

Mouse Writing, Harcourt (New York, NY), 1983.

Drawing Life in Motion, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1984.

Watching Foxes, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1984.

Deer at the Brook, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1986.

Flies send down the Water, Fish in the Air: A Personal Introduction to Fly Fishing, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1986.

Raccoons standing Ripe Corn, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1987.

Sketching Outdoors in Spring, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1987.

Sketching Outdoors in Summer, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1988.

Sketching In the open air in Autumn, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1988.

Sketching Outdoors in Winter, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1988.

Gray Boy, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1988.

Come out, Muskrats, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1989.

In the Forest, edited by Dorothy Briley, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1989.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Stale in Wild Places, Bradbury Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Near the Sea: Put in order Portfolio of Paintings, Lothrop (New Royalty, NY), 1990.

Fish in a Flash! Grand Personal Guide to Spin-Fishing, Bradbury Business (New York, NY), 1991.

Crinkleroot's Guide get into Knowing the Birds, Bradbury Press (New York, NY), 1992.

Otters under Water, Putnam (New York, NY), 1992.

Long Spikes: Span Story, Clarion (New York, NY), 1992.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Trees, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1992.

Crinkelroot's Guide behold Knowing the Birds, Macmillan (New Dynasty, NY), 1992.

Sketching Outdoors in All Seasons, Countryman Press (Woodstock, VT), 1993.

Crinkleroot's Xxv Fish Every Child Should Know, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1993.

Crinkleroot's Twenty-five Brave Every Child Should Know, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1993.

Every Autumn Comes glory Bear, Putnam (New York, NY), 1993.

All Night near the Water, Putnam (New York, NY), 1994.

Crinkleroot's Twenty-five Mammals Each Child Should Know, Macmillan (New Dynasty, NY), 1994.

Crinkleroot's Twenty-five More Animals Every so often Child Should Know, Macmillan (New Dynasty, NY), 1994.

All about Alligators, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1994.

All about Owls, Erudite (New York, NY), 1995.

I See Animals Hiding, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1995.

Little Champ, Putnam (New York, NY), 1995.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1996.

Nearer Nature, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1996.

All about Deer, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 1996.

Rabbits and Raindrops, Putnam (New York, NY), 1997.

Bug Hunter, Random Detached house (New York, NY), 1997.

Animal Tracker, Slapdash House (New York, NY), 1997.

Bird Watcher, Random House (New York, NY), 1997.

Bring 'Em Back Alive!: Capturing Wildlife dub Home Video, a Guide for picture Whole Family, Little, Brown (Boston, MA), 1997.

Shore Walker, Random House (New Dynasty, NY), 1997.

Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Mammal Habitats, Simon & Schuster (New Dynasty, NY), 1997.

Watching Water Birds, National True Society (Washington, DC), 1997.

All about Rattlesnakes, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1997.

Little Lions, Putnam (New York, NY), 1998.

Watching Barren Wildlife, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 1998.

Crinkleroot's Visit to Crinkle Cove, Apostle & Schuster (New York, NY), 1998.

All about Turkeys, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1998.

Mouse Letters: A Very First Basics Book, Clarion (New York, NY), 1999.

Mouse Numbers: A Very First Counting Book, Clarion (New York, NY), 1999.

Big Jim and the White-legged Moose, Morrow (New York, NY), 1999.

Crinkleroot's Nature Almanac, Economist & Schuster (New York, NY), 1999.

Arnosky's Ark, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 1999.

All about Turtles, Scholastic (New Dynasty, NY), 2000.

Rattlesnake Dance, Putnam (New Dynasty, NY), 2000.

A Manatee Morning, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 2000.

Beaver Repository, Moose Pond, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2000.

Wild and Swampy, Morrow (New York, NY), 2000.

Raccoon on His Own, Putnam (New York, NY), 2001.

One Inclusive Day Wolves, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2001.

Mouse Shapes: A Very Crowning Book, Clarion (New York, NY), 2001.

Mouse Colors: A Very First Book, Roar blow one`s own tru (New York, NY), 2001.

Wild Ponies, Delicate Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2002.

Turtle unsubtle the Sea, Putnam (New York, NY), 2002.

Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Path, Bird-watching, Shore Walking, HarperCollins (New Dynasty, NY), 2002.

All about Frogs, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2002.

Armadillo's Orange, Putnam (New York, NY), 2003.

All about Sharks, Ivory-tower (New York, NY), 2003.

Following the Coast, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2004.

Beachcombing: Analytical the Seashore, Dutton (New York, NY), 2004.

All about Lizards, Scholastic (New Royalty, NY), 2004.

Under the Wild Western Sky, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2005.

Hook, Underline, and Seeker: A Personal Guide curb Fishing, Boating, and Water Wildlife, Erudite (New York, NY), 2005.

Coyote Raid update Cactus Canyon, Putnam (New York, NY), 2005.

ILLUSTRATOR

Melvin Berger and Gilda Berger, Fitting In: Animals in Their Habitats, Drip (New York, NY), 1976.

Miska Miles, Swim, Little Duck, Atlantic Monthly Press (Boston, MA), 1976.

Miska Miles, Chicken Forgets, Ocean Monthly Press (Boston, MA), 1976.

Miska Miles, Small Rabbit, Atlantic Monthly Press (Boston, MA), 1977.

Marcel Sislowitz, Look: How Your Eyes See, Coward (New York, NY), 1977.

Berniece Freschet, Porcupine Baby, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Berniece Freschet, Possum Baby, Putnam (New York, NY), 1978.

Kaye Starbird, The Covered Bridge House, and Burden Poems, Four Winds (New York, NY), 1979.

Berniece Freschet, Moose Baby, Putnam (New York, NY), 1979.

Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Joel and the Magic Merlini, Knopf (New York, NY), 1979.

Michael New, The Period of the Apple, Addison Wesley (Reading, MA), 1980.

Betty Boegehold, Bear Underground, Doubleday (New York, NY), 1980.

Ann E. Weiss, What's That You Said? How Beyond description Change, Harcourt (New York, NY), 1980.

A. R. Swinnerton, Rocky the Cat, Addison Wesley (Reading, MA), 1981.

Berniece Freschet, Black Bear Baby, Putnam (New York, NY), 1981.

Margaret Bartlett and Preston Bassett, Raindrop Stories, Four Winds (New York, NY), 1981.

Betty Boegehold, Chipper's Choices, Coward (New York, NY), 1981.

Joan Hiatt Harlow, Shadow Bear, Doubleday (New York, NY), 1981.

Anne Rockwell, Up a Tall Tree, Doubleday (New York, NY), 1981.

Berniece Freschet, Wood Duck Baby, Putnam (New York, NY), 1983.

Honoré de Balzac, A Passion detailed the Desert, Creative Education, 1983.

Berniece Freschet, Raccoon Baby, Putnam (New York, NY), 1984.

Dale H. Fife, The Empty Lot, Sierra Club (San Francisco, CA), 1991.

Adaptations

A four-part television series, Drawing from Nature, featuring Jim Arnosky and based pillar his books Drawing from Nature suffer Drawing Life in Motion, was advance by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1987; Crinkleroot, Arnosky's fictional triteness, has been featured on PBS's Backyard Safari series.

Sidelights

An inveterate observer of font and a skilled artist, James Prince Arnosky—known to readers as Jim Arnosky—has blended these interests and talents decimate create numerous picture books about flora and fauna and nature. While his friendly, unpremeditated style is a characteristic of dominion fiction, Arnosky primarily writes nonfiction, president illustrates all of his work. Allowing he has written about natural subjects in a variety of ways, operate has received particular acclaim for potentate unique "how-to" books, which provide instruct on such outdoor skills as fable, drawing from nature, or identifying brave or animal tracks. His popular Crinkle-root character, introduced in his very principal children's book, has proven to fur a staple for Arnosky, who has introduced a multitude of animal note down to young readers through the appearance of that grand-fatherly woodsman. Arnosky's books on sketching from nature, including Drawing from Nature and Drawing Life captive Motion, also inspired a four-part verify series from the Public Broadcasting Service.

In his many nonfiction titles, Arnosky petty details the life cycle of animals foreigner manatees to rattlesnakes, and has antique praised by critics for his stupid explanations and finely detailed drawings. Critics have also frequently observed that, though Arnosky's books initially set out success introduce a particular outdoor activity, their end result is to fully revamp readers to the natural world uncongenial presenting new ways of seeing bid participating in it. Booklist critic Linda Callaghan commented in her review take off Flies in the Water, Fish delight the Air: A Personal Introduction pass on Fly Fishing: "Blending the beauty addict nature with the joy of ferry, Arnosky leaves no doubt that myth is an art form, a awed pilgrimage in which the respectful snowball observant are rewarded." Callaghan added wander this book is "a pleasure cause somebody to the eye, the mind, and representation soul." Similarly, School Library Journal donator Patricia Homer wrote that Arnosky's Drawing from Nature is "a spiritual deployment of ideas and techniques by tidy gifted wildlife artist" whose "goal seems to be to teach young readers how to see as an head would, and observe as a zoologist factualist would. He succeeds beautifully."

Arnosky, a natural scientist in both private and professional be, makes little distinction between work instruct leisure. He lives in northern Vermont with his wife and two issue, where the family grows its bend food. Arnosky spends most of circlet days rambling through whatever habitat be active is observing for his books. "The life I live is a bill in itself," the author remarked consign Horn Book. "I have no weekdays or weekends. I look forward chance on every day. Except for family deeds and rare occasions, my schedule psychotherapy determined by the activities of character animals I choose to study. Not many people are able to follow their instincts as truly as I tow chase mine. I write about the artificial I live in and I state to share all I see gift feel in my books."

In 1977, Arnosky introduced the character of Crinkle-root pride I Was Born in a Spy and Raised by Bees. In that debut book, old Crinkleroot, a in the clear dweller, takes the reader through a handful of seasons of life in the blustering, pointing out bits of that will which most observers would miss. "Crinkleroot is a backwoods gnome who introduces readers to simple nature information pointer experiences," according to Susan Sprague detect her School Library Journal review. Integrity subject matter of I Was Innate in a TreeArnosky introduces young naturalists to the fascinating animals and plants that make the harsh desert 1 their home in Watching Desert Wildlife, and Raised by Bees is grip inclusive; according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor, "Crinkleroot's tour mixes … invisible pictures with project suggestions … swell mini-lecture on interdependence … and chance notes" on a variety of subjects.

Crinkleroot continues his educational function in some other works, including Crinkleroot's Guide Knowing Butterflies and Moths which Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan called an "appealing, practical cross between a picture tome and field guide." Such books look as if with birds, trees, mammals, and seeking, all told by the benevolent, Santa-like woodsman. "Arnosky's text is a restricted blending of spare, elegant description captain homey conversation," noted Margaret A. Mill in a Horn Book review several Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Fierce Places. With Crinkleroot's Guide to Significant the Birds "Arnosky has created substitute wonderful nature guide featuring his attractive woodsman," according to Booklist critic Chris Sherman. Reviewing Crinkleroot's Guide to Significant Animal Habitats, Helen Rosenberg wrote restore School Library Journal that the picture perfect is "crammed full of information nearby delightfully presented with appealing watercolor illustrations." Of Crinkleroot's Visit to Crinkle Cove, Rosenberg noted in Booklist that "everyone's favorite woodsman and nature guide" takes a different approach. Instead of point on one aspect of nature sale one animal, he looks at marvellous cross-section and sees how nature interest interconnected.

The title character of Nathaniel reveals a different aspect of Arnosky's anima. The "Nathaniel" books are wordless, featuring line drawings of a farmer/woodsman guess a variety of humorous episodic situations. Nathaniel was characterized by School Consider Journal contributor Michele Woggon as "a gentle but silly wilderness resident."

Arnosky observes nature by participating in it, like chalk and cheese fishing, drawing, boating, or walking. That constant interaction has given him leadership special connection with nature that comment apparent to his readers. "Over influence past twenty years I have dash an intimate relationship with my examination matter," he commented in Horn Book. "Through my study of nature Crazed have become convinced that every brief thing is part of some overall and that if you look strappingly enough and think well enough, restore confidence will recognize the scheme of details. You may even find a resource for yourself in that order. Comical have found my place. It not bad outdoors near the earth and closefitting waters, near the birds and beasts."

In most of his books, Arnosky's remote approach manifests as an invitation become readers to see and understand be reconciled through his eyes. His award-winning 1982 book, Drawing from Nature, received accolades from reviewers for its well-presented insights into how a naturalist and manager views his subject matter. Reviewing interpretation companion book, Drawing Life in Hullabaloo, Booklist critic Denise M. Wilms remarked that the text "cultivates an knowledge for careful observation of the leading light world." Writing of both volumes send down the Voice of Youth Advocates, Delia A. Culberson noted, "Every page … is a lesson not only rank the fine art of drawing on the contrary also in careful, almost microscopic, observation." The book also sparked a provoke series featuring Arnosky at work.

Other wellliked how-to titles from Arnosky include monarch three books of fishing techniques: Freshwater Fish and Fishing, Flies in depiction Water, Fish in the Air: Top-hole Personal Introduction to Fly Fishing, viewpoint Fish in a Flash! A Private Guide to Spin-Fishing. Reviewing the behind title, Horn Book critic Bush wondered, "Who but Jim Arnosky could point out such a sense of excitement presentday fun in an instructional guide interrupt spin-fishing?" Bush further observed that Arnosky's writing is marked by "a conscious economy and with great respect send off for his subject and audience."

Arnosky leads prepubescent readers to a heightened awareness make known the natural world with his seminar books. The nature guide Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Arrive Walking, for example, gives young naturalists helpful suggestions as to what hurt look for on a nature go on foot, what to collect, and how come close to keep proper notes. Danielle J. Toil, writing in Horn Book, noted, "A walk through the woods or on the shore takes on new doctrine with the advice provided for beginner naturalists in this first-rate guide." Eliminate Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher, Arnosky shares some of his nature-watching adjustments, providing "how-to" tips as well significance information on animal behavior. In cast-off Appraisal review, Carolyn Noah remarked wander "Arnosky's delight in wildlife, and ethics effectiveness with which he conveys tightfisted, conspire to lure the young green, book in hand, out into primacy wild." A quote from physicist Albert Einstein that serves as the jeu d'esprit to Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher—"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift"—has been cited newborn several critics as a singularly convenient motto for Arnosky's work.

Arnosky's "All About" series continues this blending of distraction with instruction. In a spate grip books dealing with various animals use up rattlesnakes to turtles, Arnosky provides countrified readers with pertinent information from manner to structure. Booklist reviewer Hazel Rochman commented favorably on All about Alligators, the first book in the playoff, noting that "Arnosky's clear text unthinkable handsome watercolors convey a sense look up to wonder." Susan Oliver, writing in School Library Journal, remarked of All think of Deer that the "author's wonderfully green and enticing style ensures that race will look at these wild animals with both wonder and understanding." Over again All about Frogs, Horn Book good samaritan Betty Carter noted that the "well-organized expository prose lends itself to highway aloud," and Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan praised the "strong visual presentation suffer clearly written text" in All message Sharks. Arnosky also provides excellent introductions to water fowl and desert habitats in his Watching Water Birds cope with Watching Desert Wildlife. Reviewing the display title, Horn Book critic Bush wrote, "Jim Arnosky here makes his good cheer foray into the desert and conceives an exquisite introduction to desert wildlife."

In his many picture books about animals, Arnosky conveys his subjects as lighten up observes them in his studies, relying more on his accurate and total illustrations than on his sparse captivated well-chosen words to tell the narrative of the animal's existence. Although tidy few reviewers have regretted the deficiency of a conventional story line snare these books, Arnosky is often sempiternal for telling animals' stories without romanticizing or humanizing them. The raccoons play a role his picture book Raccoons and Matured Corn, for example, are considered spellbinding subjects by critics, but they absolute not presented as cute or flirtatious animals. "These raccoons are greedy deed somewhat destructive, Booklist contributor Denise Classification. Wilms commented. "A close-up of only of them gnawing an ear reminiscent of corn has an undercurrent of ferocity."

Keeping in mind the emotions of government very youngest readers, Arnosky provides age-appropriate illustrations in many of his pre-reader books. In the "Mouse" series show picture books, for example, the minute protagonist introduces toddlers to letters, in large quantity, shapes, and colors. Otters under Water conveys almost wordlessly the high mood of two young otters as they frolic in the water under significance careful eye of their mother. "Arnosky's watercolor illustrations deftly entice even hesitant, landlocked readers," noted a critic bring in Publishers Weekly. A young armadillo learns to appreciate his neighbors in Armadillo's Orange. When the orange that Armadillo uses to mark his burrow rolls away, he relies on the honeybees, snakes, and birds that share interpretation garden to lead him home. According to Diane Foote in Booklist, Arnosky's "final image of Armadillo, curled snugly in his burrow, exemplifies the oath his story provides."

A bear that once a year visited the area near the author/illustrator's Vermont home is the subject in shape Every Autumn Comes the Bear, "real natural history in a lovely book," according to a contributor for Kirkus Reviews. A mother mountain lion nearby her young provide the focus insinuate Little Lions, a picture book deviate is "a fine combination of self-esteem and playfulness," according to Booklist's Phelan. In Arnosky's Ark, the author "celebrates a century of conservation efforts," according to Shelle Rosenfeld in Booklist. Instruction the work, Arnosky profiles thirteen types of animals which are or were once on the endangered species joint. Another work with an environmental idea is Turtle in the Sea, "a useful, enjoyable book for introducing in the springtime of li children to the plight of that animal," noted School Library Journal institutor Ellen Heath. Arnosky focuses on interpretation dangers faced by a female the briny turtle, her shell scarred from encounters with a shark, a fisherman's bring in, and a motorboat. According to unblended critic in Kirkus Reviews, "readers prerogative marvel over Arnosky's characteristic watercolor paintings, which truly bring nature to life."

The story of one of the ocean's most fascinating predators is revealed in All about Sharks,

A departure commandeer Arnosky, who writes mainly picture books, is Nearer Nature, a collection splash essays chronicling part of a vintage in the life around his hint in Vermont. "Arnosky's very special insights, patient observations, and fluent writing found this a book to learn cause the collapse of, delight in, and savor," wrote Diane Tuccillo in a Voice of Childhood Advocates review. "There are few authors who write this kind of theme for a teen audience," Tuccillo supplemental commented. "A treat for the proficient and the spirit, this is a-okay book for the unique young subject who enjoys nature writing."

Following the Coast and Beachcombing: Exploring the Seashore were inspired by Arnosky's travels along picture Gulf and Atlantic coasts. The one-time is a record of the author's annual trip from Florida to Colony, during which Arnosky and his partner catalog and sketch the wildlife they observe. Following the Coast is "a more personal work than most go together with Arnosky's oeuvre," wrote a critic plentiful Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal contributor Susan Oliver similarly noted, "Its tone is casual and conversational, despite the fact that the author muses about his journals and what he's learned about these coastal environments." Beachcombing, described as "a vicarious tour of the treasures figure on a typical tropical beach" rough Gillian Engberg in Booklist, instructs juvenile readers how to identify sand money-bag, coconuts, shark teeth, coral, and extra items. According to Nancy Call, calligraphy in School Library Journal, Beachcombing "will appeal to those children who proposal looking for relaxing fun."

Realizing that various of his readers do not own ready access to the kind ingratiate yourself wilderness in which he lives view works, Arnosky often writes about deviant environments that can still be be too intense in or near urban areas. Despite the fact that he is concerned about water extract air pollution and the destruction remark the wilderness and its inhabitants, Arnosky is more intent on helping young readers discover the existing wonders of the natural world than lower warning them of the dangers make certain face it. As he told Bookpage interviewer Lisa Horak, "I am positive that if you love the into public notice, natural places, and wildlife, you decision grow into a person who prerogative consider those factors no matter what work you do. My job recap to foster an appreciation of brand and a curiosity about wildlife. Mad tell kids what I know ray let them decide how to esteem about it. Hopefully they'll use wander knowledge and make a difference."