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. ( )

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! ( )

This entertaining book uses the fictional character Crinkleroot, a funky old hermit, to introduce students to animal tracking. Complete with charmin illustrations and informative animal charts, this book is an excellent introduction to how naturalists determine what animals might be found when people aren't looking.

I am currently using this book to introduce students to animal tracking at a park. I read the book to students and let them use the insets to identify tracks I have made in a sand box. Kids generally enjoy being read to and then being able to apply the knowledge seems fun to them. ( )