October 28, 2005

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—For over 25 years, Jim Arnosky, author and illustrator of more than 90 books for children, has observed and sketched the natural world, developing an intimate relationship with his subjects. On Monday, Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. in the Bell Conference Center on the University of West Alabama campus, he will share his talents during “An Evening with Jim Arnosky.” The presentation, which features Arnosky speaking, singing and drawing, is open to the public. 

Arnosky, writer and illustrator of the “All About…” animal book series and Reading Rainbow featured-author, says, “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. I try to capture the feeling of being outdoors, watching, wondering, being involved.”

Such dedication to nature has not gone unnoticed. Arnosky recently received the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Key Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Science Books. He has also been honored with the 1991 Eva L. Gordon Award for Outstanding Science Literature and the 1988 Washington Post/Children’s Book Guild Award for the body of his work.

In his acceptance speech for the Book Guild Award, he described what he writes about and why: “I try to expand my readers’ backgrounds to include the bogs, fields, woods, streams, ponds, hillsides and mountaintops that surround the towns and cities where most people live. I want to let people know that there are many wild places still left in the country and millions of wild animals roaming freely. I want people to know that every stream is not polluted, not all the air is dirty.”

As a naturalist, Jim is deeply concerned about the health and cleanliness of the environment and people’s attitudes toward the use of the land and the fate of wildlife.

“But in my books for children,” he said, “I do not stress concern but emphasize love, enthusiasm and awareness. I prefer to show rather than to tell, to teach rather than preach, to guide rather than simply warn. On showing my readers what I look for in my ramblings, I hope that they will keep an eye out for such things and make discoveries of their own when they are outdoors.”

During his month-long trip to Alabama, Arnosky will visit schools and libraries across the state. While in Livingston, he will give presentations for third and fourth graders from Kinterbish, Livingston Elementary, North Sumter, Sumter Academy and York West End. Arnosky will also autograph copies his books, available for sale at the presentations.  

Arnosky lives in northern Vermont with his wife, Deanna. Surrounded by the woods and fields he loves, he has an unlimited supply of subjects for his naturalist’s eye and artist’s pencil. He most generously shares his world with children—and adults, too—through his television specials, his personal appearances and his wonderful books. For more information about Jim Arnosky’s visit, sponsored by UWA, call Meaghan Gordon at 205-652-3892.