James Edward Arnosky (1946-) Biography

(Jim Arnosky)

Personal

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

Addresses

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

Career

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

Honors Awards

Christopher Award, and Children's Science Book honorable mention, New York Academy of Sciences, both 1983, both for Drawing from Nature; Washington Post / Children's Book Guild nonfiction award, 1988; Eva L. Gordon Award, American Nature Study Society, 1991; Orbus Pictus honor book citation, National Council of Teachers of English, 2001, for Wild and Swampy; Key Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence, American Association of Science Teachers Award, 2005, for distinguished contribution to science books; several of Arnosky's works have been named Outstanding Science Trade Books by the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council, including Nearer Nature, Wild and Swampy, and Following the Coast.

Writings

SELF-ILLUSTRATED; FOR CHILDREN

I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by 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 edition published as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking, Bradbury Press (New York, NY), 1989.

A Kettle of Hawks and Other 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 Fish and Fishing, Four Winds (New York, NY), 1982.

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

Secrets of a 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 in the Water, Fish in the Air: A Personal Introduction to Fly Fishing, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1986.

Raccoons and 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 Outdoors 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 Walking in Wild Places, Bradbury Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Near the Sea: A Portfolio of Paintings, Lothrop (New York, NY), 1990.

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

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

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

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

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

Crinkelroot's Guide to Knowing the Birds, Macmillan (New York, NY), 1992.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All about Owls, Scholastic (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 York, NY), 1996.

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

Bug Hunter, Random House (New York, NY), 1997.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mouse Letters: A Very First Alphabet 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, Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1999.

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

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

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

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

Beaver Pond, 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 Whole Day Wolves, National Geographic Society (Washington, DC), 2001.

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

Mouse Colors: A Very First Book, Clarion (New York, NY), 2001.

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

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

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

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

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

All about Sharks, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2003.

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

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

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

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

Hook, Line, and Seeker: A Personal Guide to Fishing, Boating, and Water Wildlife, Scholastic (New York, NY), 2005.

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

ILLUSTRATOR

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

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

Miska Miles, Chicken Forgets, Atlantic 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 Other 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 Year 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 Words 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 in 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 on his books Drawing from Nature and Drawing Life in Motion, was produced by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) in 1987; Crinkleroot, Arnosky's fictional character, has been featured on PBS's Backyard Safari series.

Sidelights

An inveterate observer of nature and a skilled artist, James Edward Arnosky—known to readers as Jim Arnosky—has blended these interests and talents to create numerous picture books about wildlife and nature. While his friendly, informal style is a characteristic of his fiction, Arnosky primarily writes nonfiction, and illustrates all of his work. Although he has written about natural subjects in a variety of ways, he has received particular acclaim for his unique "how-to" books, which provide instruction on such outdoor skills as fishing, drawing from nature, or identifying birds or animal tracks. His popular Crinkleroot character, introduced in his very first children's book, has proven to be a staple for Arnosky, who has introduced a multitude of animal facts to young readers through the guise of that grand-fatherly woodsman. Arnosky's books on sketching from nature, including Drawing from Nature and Drawing Life in Motion, also inspired a four-part television series from the Public Broadcasting Service.

In his many nonfiction titles, Arnosky details the life cycle of animals from manatees to rattlesnakes, and has been praised by critics for his clear explanations and finely detailed drawings. Critics have also frequently observed that, although Arnosky's books initially set out to introduce a particular outdoor activity, their end result is to fully reorient readers to the natural world by presenting new ways of seeing and participating in it. Booklist critic Linda Callaghan commented in her review of Flies in the Water, Fish in the Air: A Personal Introduction to Fly Fishing: "Blending the beauty of nature with the joy of sport, Arnosky leaves no doubt that fishing is an art form, a reverent pilgrimage in which the respectful and observant are rewarded." Callaghan added that this book is "a pleasure to the eye, the mind, and the soul." Similarly, School Library Journal contributor Patricia Homer wrote that Arnosky's Drawing from Nature is "a spiritual sharing of ideas and techniques by a gifted wildlife artist" whose "goal seems to be to teach young readers how to see as an artist would, and observe as a naturalist would. He succeeds beautifully."

Arnosky, a naturalist in both private and professional life, makes little distinction between work and leisure. He lives in northern Vermont with his wife and two daughters, where the family grows its own food. Arnosky spends most of his days rambling through whatever habitat he is observing for his books. "The life I live is a reward in itself," the author remarked in Horn Book. "I have no weekdays or weekends. I look forward to every day. Except for family events and rare occasions, my schedule is determined by the activities of the animals I choose to study. Few people are able to follow their instincts as truly as I follow mine. I write about the world I live in and I try to share all I see and feel in my books."

In 1977, Arnosky introduced the character of Crinkle-root in I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees. In this debut book, old Crinkleroot, a forest dweller, takes the reader through four seasons of life in the wild, pointing out bits of that life which most observers would miss. "Crinkleroot is a backwoods gnome who introduces readers to simple nature information and experiences," according to Susan Sprague in her School Library Journal review. The subject matter of I Was Born in a Tree Arnosky introduces young naturalists to the fascinating animals and plants that make the harsh desert landscape their home in Watching Desert Wildlife, published by the National Geographic Society. and Raised by Bees is very inclusive; according to a Kirkus Reviews contributor, "Crinkleroot's tour mixes … hidden pictures with project suggestions … a mini-lecture on interdependence … and random notes" on a variety of subjects.

Crinkleroot continues his educational function in several other works, including Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths which Booklist reviewer Carolyn Phelan called an "appealing, practical cross between a picture book and field guide." Such books deal with birds, trees, mammals, and tracking, all told by the benevolent, Santa-like woodsman. "Arnosky's text is a felicitous blending of spare, elegant description and homey conversation," noted Margaret A. Bush in a Horn Book review of Crinkleroot's Guide to Walking in Wild Places. With Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing the Birds "Arnosky has created another wonderful nature guide featuring his lovable woodsman," according to Booklist critic Chris Sherman. Reviewing Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats, Helen Rosenberg wrote in School Library Journal that the book is "crammed full of information and 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 focusing on one aspect of nature or one animal, he looks at a cross-section and sees how nature is interconnected.

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

Arnosky observes nature by participating in it, while fishing, drawing, boating, or walking. This constant interaction has given him the special connection with nature that is apparent to his readers. "Over the past twenty years I have developed an intimate relationship with my subject matter," he commented in Horn Book. "Through my study of nature I have become convinced that every little thing is part of some whole and that if you look closely enough and think well enough, you will recognize the scheme of things. You may even find a place for yourself in that order. I have found my place. It is outdoors near the earth and its waters, near the birds and beasts."

In most of his books, Arnosky's personal approach manifests as an invitation to readers to see and understand nature 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 artist views his subject matter. Reviewing the companion book, Drawing Life in Motion, Booklist critic Denise M. Wilms remarked that the text "cultivates an appreciation for careful observation of the natural world." Writing of both volumes in the Voice of Youth Advocates, Delia A. Culberson noted, "Every page … is a lesson not only in the fine art of drawing but also in careful, almost microscopic, observation." The book also sparked a television series featuring Arnosky at work.

Other popular how-to titles from Arnosky include his three books of fishing techniques: Freshwater Fish and Fishing, Flies in the Water, Fish in the Air: A Personal Introduction to Fly Fishing, and Fish in a Flash! A Personal Guide to Spin-Fishing. Reviewing the last title, Horn Book critic Bush wondered, "Who but Jim Arnosky could convey such a sense of excitement and fun in an instructional guide to spin-fishing?" Bush further observed that Arnosky's writing is marked by "a measured economy and with great respect for his subject and audience."

Arnosky leads young readers to a heightened awareness of the natural world with his instructional books. The nature guide Field Trips: Bug Hunting, Animal Tracking, Bird-watching, Shore Walking, for example, gives young naturalists helpful suggestions as to what to look for on a nature walk, what to collect, and how to keep proper notes. Danielle J. Ford, writing in Horn Book, noted, "A walk through the woods or along the shore takes on new meaning with the advice provided for novice naturalists in this first-rate guide." In Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher, Arnosky shares some of his nature-watching methods, providing "how-to" tips as well as information on animal behavior. In her Appraisal review, Carolyn Noah remarked that "Arnosky's delight in wildlife, and the effectiveness with which he conveys it, conspire to lure the young naturalist, book in hand, out into the wild." A quote from physicist Albert Einstein that serves as the epigram to Secrets of a Wildlife Watcher—"Joy in looking and comprehending is nature's most beautiful gift"—has been cited by several critics as a singularly well-suited motto for Arnosky's work.

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

In his many picture books about animals, Arnosky conveys his subjects as he observes them in his studies, relying more on his accurate and detailed illustrations than on his sparse and well-chosen words to tell the story of the animal's existence. Although a few reviewers have regretted the lack of a conventional story line in these books, Arnosky is often praised for telling animals' stories without romanticizing or humanizing them. The raccoons in his picture book Raccoons and Ripe Corn, for example, are considered captivating subjects by critics, but they are not presented as cute or cuddly animals. "These raccoons are greedy and somewhat destructive, Booklist contributor Denise M. Wilms commented. "A close-up of one of them gnawing an ear of corn has an undercurrent of ferocity."

Keeping in mind the emotions of his very youngest readers, Arnosky provides age-appropriate illustrations in many of his pre-reader books. In the "Mouse" series of picture books, for example, the pint-sized protagonist introduces toddlers to letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. Otters under Water conveys almost wordlessly the high spirits of two young otters as they frolic in the water under the careful eye of their mother. "Arnosky's watercolor illustrations deftly entice even reluctant, landlocked readers," noted a critic 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 the garden to lead him home. According to Diane Foote in Booklist, Arnosky's "final image of Armadillo, curled snugly in his burrow, exemplifies the reassurance his story provides."

A bear that annually visited the area near the author/illustrator's Vermont home is the subject of Every Autumn Comes the Bear, "real natural history in a lovely book," according to a contributor for Kirkus Reviews. A mother mountain lion and her young provide the focus for Little Lions, a picture book that is "a fine combination of dignity 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. In the work, Arnosky profiles thirteen types of animals which are or were once on the endangered species list. Another work with an environmental theme is Turtle in the Sea, "a useful, enjoyable book for introducing young children to the plight of this animal," noted School Library Journal contributor Ellen Heath. Arnosky focuses on the dangers faced by a female sea turtle, her shell scarred from encounters with a shark, a fisherman's net, and a motorboat. According to a critic in Kirkus Reviews, "readers will 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, which pairs a factual text with James Edward Arnosky's colorful illustrations.

A departure for Arnosky, who writes mainly picture books, is Nearer Nature, a collection of essays chronicling part of a year in the life around his home in Vermont. "Arnosky's very special insights, patient observations, and fluent writing make this a book to learn from, delight in, and savor," wrote Diane Tuccillo in a Voice of Youth Advocates review. "There are few authors who write this kind of material for a teen audience," Tuccillo further commented. "A treat for the eye and the spirit, this is a book for the unique young adult who enjoys nature writing."

Following the Coast and Beachcombing: Exploring the Seashore were inspired by Arnosky's travels along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. The former is a record of the author's annual trip from Florida to Delaware, during which Arnosky and his wife catalog and sketch the wildlife they observe. Following the Coast is "a more personal work than most of Arnosky's oeuvre," wrote a critic in Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal contributor Susan Oliver similarly noted, "Its tone is casual and conversational, as the author muses about his experiences and what he's learned about these coastal environments." Beachcombing, described as "a vicarious tour of the treasures found on a typical tropical beach" by Gillian Engberg in Booklist, instructs young readers how to identify sand dollars, coconuts, shark teeth, coral, and other items. According to Nancy Call, writing in School Library Journal, Beachcombing "will appeal to those children who are looking for relaxing fun."

Realizing that many of his readers do not have ready access to the kind of wilderness in which he lives and works, Arnosky often writes about natural environments that can still be found in or near urban areas. Although he is concerned about water and air pollution and the destruction of the wilderness and its inhabitants, Arnosky is more intent on helping his young readers discover the existing wonders of the natural world than on warning them of the dangers that face it. As he told Bookpage interviewer Lisa Horak, "I am convinced that if you love the outdoors, natural places, and wildlife, you will grow into a person who will consider those factors no matter what work you do. My job is to foster an appreciation of nature and a curiosity about wildlife. I tell kids what I know and let them decide how to think about it. Hopefully they'll use that knowledge and make a difference."