What do you think?
Rate this book
Crinkleroot
Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking
Explains how to find and understand the signs made by animals around water, in the woods, and in the snow.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1979
2 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Jim Arnosky
164 books76 followersJim Arnosky was born in New York City, NY Sept 1, 1946. He was raised in Pennsylvania. Jim graduated from high school in Philadelphia and joined the US Naval Reserves. His active duty took him to Maryland and Bremerhaven, Germany.
In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.
Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.
Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.
In 1976 Jim and his wife Deanna moved to Vermont with their two daughters where they have lived in an old farmhouse for the past 28 years. 17 of those years were spent raising sheep.
Jim is self taught in writing, art and the natural sciences. He has written and illustrated 86 books on nature subjects and has illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. He has been awarded the Christopher Medal, Orbis Pictus Honor, ALA Gordon Award, and Outstanding Science book awards from National Science Teachers Associations.
Jim loves to fish, boat, and play his guitar. In his work, he uses a Betacam SP video camcorder with a 1600 mm lens to record the wildlife he and Deanna find all across the country.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 5, 2020
Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking - revised 1989 edition.
Originally published in 1979 as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs and then revised and republished in 1989 as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking, this second book about the eponymous grandfatherly guide to the creatures of the wild - the first was I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees (1977) - highlights the characteristics, behavior and tracks of beavers, otters, raccoons, whitetail deer, snowshoe rabbits, bobcats and red foxes. The book includes a two-page spread showing the tracks of the various animals discussed, and takes an encouraging tone, working to inspire children to pay more attention to the signs that wildlife leave all around us...
After reading and greatly enjoying the original edition of this book, I was curious to track down the revised one, and see what changes had been made. With the first book about Crinkleroot - I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees - I only had access to the revised edition from 1988, but I believe that there the differences were largely a question of illustration. Here there are more significant changes, starting with the title. The artwork has also been updated, with some scenes now rendered in full color, rather than the original black and white, with two color accents. A table of contents and an index have been added, which is quite useful. All of these changes improve, or, at the very least, do not detract from the quality of the book. Sadly, I think that the textual revisions are less constructive. Comparing the original and revised edition, side by side, I noticed that many pages had significantly less text, and that overall, the text had been simplified. Consider this introductory passage, in the original and then in the revised versions:
Original: "Animals are everywhere. They live in forests and towns and even in cities. The marks and tracks they leave behind are called their signs. When you've lived in the woods as long as I have, you learn to read these signs. They show where the animals have been and what they've been doing. When I walk about the forest, I leave signs that tell I've been around - my footprints."
Revised: "When I walk about the forest, I leave signs that tell I've been around - my footprints. Animals leave marks and tracks that show where they have been and what they have been doing."
This is just one example of many, in which the language is made less descriptive, and in which Crinkleroot seems less garrulous and appealing. Going through, I noticed that the revisions sometimes took out facts - that beavers are rodents, for instance, which is mentioned in the original and not in the revision - and simplified, not just the language being used, but the facts being presented. This doesn't ruin the book - it is still charming and informative. But I definitely ended up preferring the original, from a textual perspective, and wish that the other changes - the colorization of some of the art, the addition of a table of contents and index - could have been attached to the original text. I'd still recommend this one to young nature and animal lovers, but only if they can't get a hold of the original.
Originally published in 1979 as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs and then revised and republished in 1989 as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking, this second book about the eponymous grandfatherly guide to the creatures of the wild - the first was I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees (1977) - highlights the characteristics, behavior and tracks of beavers, otters, raccoons, whitetail deer, snowshoe rabbits, bobcats and red foxes. The book includes a two-page spread showing the tracks of the various animals discussed, and takes an encouraging tone, working to inspire children to pay more attention to the signs that wildlife leave all around us...
After reading and greatly enjoying the original edition of this book, I was curious to track down the revised one, and see what changes had been made. With the first book about Crinkleroot - I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees - I only had access to the revised edition from 1988, but I believe that there the differences were largely a question of illustration. Here there are more significant changes, starting with the title. The artwork has also been updated, with some scenes now rendered in full color, rather than the original black and white, with two color accents. A table of contents and an index have been added, which is quite useful. All of these changes improve, or, at the very least, do not detract from the quality of the book. Sadly, I think that the textual revisions are less constructive. Comparing the original and revised edition, side by side, I noticed that many pages had significantly less text, and that overall, the text had been simplified. Consider this introductory passage, in the original and then in the revised versions:
Original: "Animals are everywhere. They live in forests and towns and even in cities. The marks and tracks they leave behind are called their signs. When you've lived in the woods as long as I have, you learn to read these signs. They show where the animals have been and what they've been doing. When I walk about the forest, I leave signs that tell I've been around - my footprints."
Revised: "When I walk about the forest, I leave signs that tell I've been around - my footprints. Animals leave marks and tracks that show where they have been and what they have been doing."
This is just one example of many, in which the language is made less descriptive, and in which Crinkleroot seems less garrulous and appealing. Going through, I noticed that the revisions sometimes took out facts - that beavers are rodents, for instance, which is mentioned in the original and not in the revision - and simplified, not just the language being used, but the facts being presented. This doesn't ruin the book - it is still charming and informative. But I definitely ended up preferring the original, from a textual perspective, and wish that the other changes - the colorization of some of the art, the addition of a table of contents and index - could have been attached to the original text. I'd still recommend this one to young nature and animal lovers, but only if they can't get a hold of the original.
August 5, 2020
Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs - original 1979 edition.
That wonderful, grandfatherly guide to the creatures of the forest, pond and stream - the charming Crinkleroot - made his debut in 1977, in author/illustrator Jim Arnosky's very first book, I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees . This follow-up volume, published in 1979, marked his return to the world of the page, and what a return it was! Inviting the reader along on an animal-tracking adventure, Crinkleroot profiled the creatures to be found around water - beavers, otters and raccoons - as well as those to be found in the woods - whitetail deer, owls, snowshoe rabbits, bobcats, red foxes, and various birds. The book closes with a two-page spread showing the tracks of all of the animals discussed...
Like its predecessor, Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs pairs an engaging and educational text with beautiful illustrations, all presented by a delightfully idiosyncratic and lovable woodland guide. There are wonderfully informative panels devoted to the various animals being discussed, and warmly engaging words of encouragement throughout, inviting young people to look around them, and try to see some of the signs of the animals residents that share their area, whether it be rural or more urban. This is truly a book to inspire children to observe and value the wildlife around them. I understand that it was revised and updated in 1989, and republished as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking . I enjoyed this one so much that I think I'll track down that revision, and compare and contrast! Highly recommended, to all young animal and nature lovers, and to fans of that sylvan oracle, Crinkleroot!
That wonderful, grandfatherly guide to the creatures of the forest, pond and stream - the charming Crinkleroot - made his debut in 1977, in author/illustrator Jim Arnosky's very first book, I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees . This follow-up volume, published in 1979, marked his return to the world of the page, and what a return it was! Inviting the reader along on an animal-tracking adventure, Crinkleroot profiled the creatures to be found around water - beavers, otters and raccoons - as well as those to be found in the woods - whitetail deer, owls, snowshoe rabbits, bobcats, red foxes, and various birds. The book closes with a two-page spread showing the tracks of all of the animals discussed...
Like its predecessor, Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracks and Wildlife Signs pairs an engaging and educational text with beautiful illustrations, all presented by a delightfully idiosyncratic and lovable woodland guide. There are wonderfully informative panels devoted to the various animals being discussed, and warmly engaging words of encouragement throughout, inviting young people to look around them, and try to see some of the signs of the animals residents that share their area, whether it be rural or more urban. This is truly a book to inspire children to observe and value the wildlife around them. I understand that it was revised and updated in 1989, and republished as Crinkleroot's Book of Animal Tracking . I enjoyed this one so much that I think I'll track down that revision, and compare and contrast! Highly recommended, to all young animal and nature lovers, and to fans of that sylvan oracle, Crinkleroot!
April 17, 2010
Jim Arnosky's books are beautiful. I practically love Crinkleroot. Who wouldn't want to know someone as cool as Crinkleroot?!?
Some, if not most, are out of print. If anyone would like to glance at ours LMK!
Some, if not most, are out of print. If anyone would like to glance at ours LMK!
May 14, 2022
Another childhood favourite. The maps and beaver/otter/raccoon tracks and the friendly grandpa explorer/guide figure walking the reader through the forests, following animal trails and hoot of nocturnal creatures. Crinkleroot besides being such a delight to read, is so cute! :p
May 31, 2021
A fun intro to animal tracking and another great Crinkleroot book. There aren't as many colored pictures in this one, I guess because it was published earlier.
November 4, 2012
We've recently discovered the Crinkleroot series by Jim Arnosky. We are enchanted with Crinkleroot - he's a very entertaining character and a good teacher. The way that he teaches about nature makes us feel like we are right there in the woods with him. We also love the beautiful illustrations combined with a witty narrative.
The book is informative, but not overwhelming. The illustrations are colorful and nicely detailed. We really enjoy reading his books and we are excited to read more of the books in this series.
The book is informative, but not overwhelming. The illustrations are colorful and nicely detailed. We really enjoy reading his books and we are excited to read more of the books in this series.
November 28, 2018
This is the second book that we have read in Jim Arnosky's Crinkleroot series and we will definitely be seeking out more of them. This is a fantastic introduction for developing an interest in nature study with very easy to follow descriptions and drawings including how to discern one animal's tracks from another's and even how to learn what they've been up to. I love the practice pages with depictions of typical scenes in natural habitats to test your newfound sleuthing skills!
July 18, 2012
For a book mainly featuring prints, I was riveted.
January 30, 2013
Great book for kids of all ages that are interested in nature and animal tracks.
June 20, 2013
Crinkleroot guides the reader through a hike in the woods, teaching them all that is good and bad but also teaching them how to be safe.
November 18, 2015
Alissa loves the footprint pages.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews