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Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints
When children learn to recognize and read animal tracks they’re actually mastering an ancient language of shapes and patterns—and gaining knowledge of the natural world. Acclaimed artist and naturalist Jim Arnosky has created a breathtaking and informative reference on the subject, filled with intricately drawn prints from creatures both wild and domestic, as well as large-scale paintings of the animals in their environment. Some of the art, labeled in Arnosky’s own handwriting, even looks as if it came straight out of his personal notebooks. And best of all, many of the tracks are true to size, so kids can compare the trace left by a big-footed polar bear (whose paws act as snowshoes in its icy home) with that of a small bird. Adding to the eye-catching illustrations are four awesome gatefolds that display paintings of a bobcat, wolf, deer, and a variety of hoofed animals right next to their prints. Every spread has plenty of details on how to interpret the footprint, and the featured menagerie includes bighorn sheep and goats, chipmunks and rabbits, grizzlies and brown bears, horses and burros, domestic cats and dogs, and even slithering reptiles! This is the perfect gift for a budding naturalist, animal lover, or artist.
Jim Arnosky has been honored for his overall contribution to literature for children by the Eva L. Gordon Award and the Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award for nonfiction. Many of his books have been chosen as ALA Notable Books, including Drawing from Nature, a Christopher Award-winner. Wild Tracks! is Jim’s 100th book for children.
Jim Arnosky has been honored for his overall contribution to literature for children by the Eva L. Gordon Award and the Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award for nonfiction. Many of his books have been chosen as ALA Notable Books, including Drawing from Nature, a Christopher Award-winner. Wild Tracks! is Jim’s 100th book for children.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 4, 2008
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 22, 2014
Description: This book contains various animal tracks as well as interesting facts about said animal.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Intended Audience: Grades 2-3
Curriculum Connection: I would create a lesson in which my students would create their own footprint. The students could then create their own scientific field journal and record information regarding their footprint (whether it is their own footprint or one of a make believe animal or a real animal).
Personal Reaction: I really enjoyed flipping through this book and looking at the various animal tracks. I also liked how the book was written in the form of a field journal. I'm sure that students also enjoyed that. The text that was included, mimicked that of the authors actual handwriting, which add to the authenticity of it.
Visual Approval: The animal tracks that were included remained true to the size of the actual animal. This enables the reader to actually visualize the size difference between different animals. The handwritten facts about each animal assisted the reader in believing that this was an actual field journal.
Genre: Non-Fiction
Intended Audience: Grades 2-3
Curriculum Connection: I would create a lesson in which my students would create their own footprint. The students could then create their own scientific field journal and record information regarding their footprint (whether it is their own footprint or one of a make believe animal or a real animal).
Personal Reaction: I really enjoyed flipping through this book and looking at the various animal tracks. I also liked how the book was written in the form of a field journal. I'm sure that students also enjoyed that. The text that was included, mimicked that of the authors actual handwriting, which add to the authenticity of it.
Visual Approval: The animal tracks that were included remained true to the size of the actual animal. This enables the reader to actually visualize the size difference between different animals. The handwritten facts about each animal assisted the reader in believing that this was an actual field journal.
July 26, 2015
Wild Tracks: A Guide to Nature’s Footprints
By Jim Arnosky
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Nonfiction
Estimate of age level of interest: 6 and up
Estimate of reading level: Grades 3-5
Brief description: Beautiful journal-like illustrations and basic information about animal tracks and how to find them.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre(s) and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book:
This book is one of many of Arnosky’s beautiful and informative books for young people that fit the criteria in Charlotte Huck’s Children’s Literature text for strong nonfiction for youth. The author is well-qualified, sticks solely to its purpose, is clear and direct without being boring, organized in a journal-like style, and the illustrations are remarkable. It clearly shows the size relationships of animal tracks and encourages readers to get out and explore nature.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?
The book serves its audience well in focusing on a single topic. It provides basic information without going too far. It encourages young people to get out and search for animal tracks which will surely serve the individual well. The fold-out pages show animal tracks in actual size, but may not hold up to a lot of use.
Awards if any:
Jim Arnosky has been honored for his overall contribution to literature for children by the Eva L. Gordon Award and the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for nonfiction. Many of his books have been chosen as ALA Notable Books, including Drawing from Nature, a Christopher Award-winner. Wild Tracks! is Jim's 100th book for children.
Links to published reviews from professional sources e.g. ALA, Booklist, Kirkus, SLJ, etc. if any:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
By Jim Arnosky
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: Nonfiction
Estimate of age level of interest: 6 and up
Estimate of reading level: Grades 3-5
Brief description: Beautiful journal-like illustrations and basic information about animal tracks and how to find them.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre(s) and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book:
This book is one of many of Arnosky’s beautiful and informative books for young people that fit the criteria in Charlotte Huck’s Children’s Literature text for strong nonfiction for youth. The author is well-qualified, sticks solely to its purpose, is clear and direct without being boring, organized in a journal-like style, and the illustrations are remarkable. It clearly shows the size relationships of animal tracks and encourages readers to get out and explore nature.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?
The book serves its audience well in focusing on a single topic. It provides basic information without going too far. It encourages young people to get out and search for animal tracks which will surely serve the individual well. The fold-out pages show animal tracks in actual size, but may not hold up to a lot of use.
Awards if any:
Jim Arnosky has been honored for his overall contribution to literature for children by the Eva L. Gordon Award and the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for nonfiction. Many of his books have been chosen as ALA Notable Books, including Drawing from Nature, a Christopher Award-winner. Wild Tracks! is Jim's 100th book for children.
Links to published reviews from professional sources e.g. ALA, Booklist, Kirkus, SLJ, etc. if any:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
August 5, 2009
Although a children's book, I found it very interesting and informative as an adult. At the very least, the illustrations were beautiful and the book serves as a crash course in identifying animal tracks. My favorite portion of the book, and the reason why I bought it, was the life-size track illustrations.
I wouldn't suggest it to most adults for joy reading (I bought it partially because it was significantly on clearance), but if someone has a child that is particularly interested in animals and wild life, I think this would make a very good book for them. I also imagine this book being good for a family or scout camping trip, since it would not only reflect the wilderness but also provide an activity.
I wouldn't suggest it to most adults for joy reading (I bought it partially because it was significantly on clearance), but if someone has a child that is particularly interested in animals and wild life, I think this would make a very good book for them. I also imagine this book being good for a family or scout camping trip, since it would not only reflect the wilderness but also provide an activity.
November 8, 2009
Great beginning book about reading animal tracks from a nature enthusiast, Jim Arnosky, who has been keeping wildlife journals, including drawings of animal tracks, since he was a boy. Beautiful illustrations and actual-size pull-out pages of tracks as well as descriptions of what the small and large animal tracks can tell you about the animal. Would be a great addition to the family library reference section.
February 28, 2017
Great fun and informative book on animal tracks! My youngest loves this topic and picked it from the library. He goes through many types of animals and has actual life size prints too which is pretty cool. My favorite part was that he mentions keeping a journal of wild tracks and notes when he was young. Pretty cool that he made a book out of it.
April 10, 2008
Informative picture book for those wishing to identify tracks; has life-sized drawings of tracks as well as smaller drawings of track patterns and description of wildlife. Arnosky's books are generally very good.
October 20, 2011
we've gotten this one a few times & am surprised I never rated it...Great life size animal tracks & detailed drawing & descriptions for tracking animals...we all enjoy it & learned something & bring something new away every time.
December 4, 2012
The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 was it ended so abruptly! I loved all the pictures and information. I think this book would be a fantastic accompaniment to an adventure book or to a study of Native Americans.
Read
April 29, 2015My students have probably read a lot of books about animal facts, but this book presents a different perspective: identifying animals by their tracks. This scientific thinking will be great in preparation for life science units.
April 24, 2008
Huge fold out pages with life-sized footprints! The bear tracks are intimidating and the porcupine tracks are adorable. Domestic felines and canines are included for comparison.
July 2, 2008
A very informative beginners guide to identifying wild animals.
August 6, 2008
Great primer for our elementary school school trackers.
August 7, 2008
This is informative, fun, visual and the fold-out pages have life-size prints!
November 21, 2008
This was my November book for my Kids' Explore Non-Fiction Book Club. Was lot's of fun.
December 5, 2008
This has very realistic and true to size animal tracks, it's a keeper!
January 18, 2009
The artwork, both of the animals and the animal tracks, is superbly executed. The information is fascinating and the life-size tracks and the pull-out pages are winners!
May 7, 2009
Nicely illustrated; fold-out pages reveal life-size footprints of various animals. Text is limited to information about the animals' feet, gait, track patterns, etc.
Read
April 15, 2009JEPIC-Arn
March 8, 2013
45 months - a good learning book. We will often see and try to guess when animal made what kind of track when we are out hiking.
April 14, 2013
Animal lovers delight
Footprints
Habitat
gr1-3
Extend write about fave animal
Footprints
Habitat
gr1-3
Extend write about fave animal
July 29, 2013
Great camping/hiking book for looking at tracks.
Want to Read
September 25, 2013South Brunswick Public Library
Call Number Copy Material Location
J 591.479 ARN 1 Juvenile Book Juvenile Nonfiction Collection
Call Number Copy Material Location
J 591.479 ARN 1 Juvenile Book Juvenile Nonfiction Collection
March 11, 2015
Amazing!!! An absolute must for the young nature lover.
April 27, 2024
The immensely talented author/illustrator Jim Arnosky, known for his many wonderful works of natural history for children, turns in this picture book to the topic of animal tracks, and how to recognize them. He devotes sections to deer family tracks, tracks of other hoofed animals, bear tracks, small animal tracks, feline tracks, canine tracks, and reptile and bird tracks. A general discussion of these tracks is followed by pages showing life-sized reproductions, some of them requiring fold-out pages...
The forty-sixth book I have read from this prolific creator, Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints is immensely engaging, pairing an informative text with lovely artwork. I appreciated the life-sized reproductions of each track discussed, and think the fold-out pages (there are four) will make the reading process more entertaining for younger readers. This book was referenced in the back matter of Mia Posada's excellent Who Was Here?: Discovering Wild Animal Tracks , and I can definitely see why, as it is both educational and fun. Readers should be aware that it is focused on North American animals, something that should have been mentioned in the book's description, and was that. Leaving aside that critique, provided one is aware of this focus, it is one I would heartily recommend to all young animal and nature lovers.
The forty-sixth book I have read from this prolific creator, Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature's Footprints is immensely engaging, pairing an informative text with lovely artwork. I appreciated the life-sized reproductions of each track discussed, and think the fold-out pages (there are four) will make the reading process more entertaining for younger readers. This book was referenced in the back matter of Mia Posada's excellent Who Was Here?: Discovering Wild Animal Tracks , and I can definitely see why, as it is both educational and fun. Readers should be aware that it is focused on North American animals, something that should have been mentioned in the book's description, and was that. Leaving aside that critique, provided one is aware of this focus, it is one I would heartily recommend to all young animal and nature lovers.
February 5, 2021
Pretty book with to-scale sized prints of several animals, pretty good overview of some very common prints sorted by animal types with a few examples of each (deer, hoofed animals, feline, canine, birds/reptile) a wide brush-stroke take on tracks as an intro to prints in the mud more than snow, but a great intro for kids 4-7 years old.
January 2, 2023
It shows how different animals' prints look like
September 13, 2016
Very cool look into nature. Love the full size prints of things. Awesome facts.
June 8, 2009
Love this man! Everything he does is awesome!
January 8, 2010
Very informative with clear pictures and advice on how to follow tracks.
Read
June 12, 2018that I want to read this book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews