Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths [Hardcover]

Jim Arnosky (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996 | Series: Crinkleroot

Crinkleroot introduces the amazing world of butterflies and moths as he tours the natural world, exposing the facts and behaviors of this fascinating insect group known as Lepidoptera.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?What is the easiest way to tell a butterfly from a moth? Arnosky answers this and other related questions in this attractive book that serves many purposes. As old Crinkleroot takes readers on a walk through meadows and woods and into the night, he identifies various species. Showing the insects in their actual size, the detailed watercolor illustrations serve as an excellent tool for identification. At the same time, through the narrator's friendly chatter, useful report information is provided, such as how butterflies sip nectar, types of flowers that appeal to them, and their life cycle. Caterpillars are also observed, pictured next to the butterfly or moth that they become. Giant moths are also featured. With his daffy sense of humor and his gentle love for the subject matter, Crinkleroot, with his snake friend Sassafrass coiled around his hat, has become a reliable old friend and guide to the natural world. This book is sure to inspire young readers to go out and take a closer look at it.?Helen Rosenberg, Chicago Public Library, IL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 5^-8. Friendly woodsman Crinkleroot, whose other illustrated guidebooks introduce young children to birds, trees, fish, mammals, and tracking, now takes young children on a nature hike to meet butterflies and moths. After introducing some fundamentals of lepidopteran anatomy, Crinkleroot and his pet snake Sassafras go on a daytime walk to point out various butterflies and relate their life cycle and then on a night hike to observe and describe the ways of moths. Arnosky illustrates the book in lively fashion with bright, sunny watercolor paintings, showing all labeled butterflies and caterpillars in actual size. An appealing, practical cross between a picture book and a field guide. Carolyn Phelan

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing; 1st edition (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068980587X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689805875
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,550,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything your toddler needs to know about butterflies ..., June 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths (Hardcover)

This book wonderfully combines factual information about butterflies and moths with beautiful illustrations. The narrator, Crinkleroot, is an overall-clad elderly gent who slightly resembles Kris Kringle. He tells the story of butterflies in a creative and humorous way (even for adults). His pet snake, Sassafrass, also adds to the fun. I discovered this book at the library with my three-year old son. We had such a good time reading through it the first time that I thought it was something we should have on our bookshelf at home.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Arnosky is a very special author/illustrator, May 31, 2005

By 

Soaring Heart - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Butterflies and Moths (Hardcover)

You can tell Arnosky really loves children. What a delightful book he's accomplished here of a happy old man named Crinkleroot who loves to explore the forest for butterflies and moths to tell us all about. It's as if he is our grandfather and we are there with him to romp along! Of all the butterfly books I've come across and could only buy one for my daughter, this would (will) be it because of the personal approach included in the adventurous, fun-loving story. Adults and children alike want to "follow" Mr. Crinkleroot along on the "journey." If more books were written in this way I think children would enjoy reading more.

Here's a short sample from the beginning, "Hello. My name is Crinkleroot. I was born in a tree and raised by bees! I can speak caterpillar, moth, and butterfly, all at the same time. And I know every wild critter in the great outdoors! Here on my hat is my friend snake. I call her Sassafrass. We're going to the wood's edge to look for butterflies. You can come too."

On the next page he continues talking to us the readers. As he puts a hand to his head to look he says, "Butterflies and their close relatives, moths, are among the most numerous of all insects. Hmm...Where could they be? This meadow is usually all aflutter with butterflies." And in the picture, they are all flying behind him and Sassafrass, who is riding on his hat, turns around smiling at them. So you see how cute the style is but be assured it is packed full of information and over fourty species of butterflies and moths including their anatomy, life cycles and feeding habits.

From the back cover, "Jim Arnosky has won the Eva L. Gordon Award for his outstanding children's science literature and the Christopher Award for his classic work, Drawing From Nature. As School Library Journal says, 'Nobody captures nature's whims and wiles better than Jim Arnosky."

Check out the other Crinkleroot Nature Guides for you to enjoy:

Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Birds, CR's Guide to Knowing Trees, CR's Guide to Walking in Wild Places, CR's 25 Mammals Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 More Animals Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 Birds Every Child Should Know, CR's 25 Fish Ever Child Should Know, CR's Book of Animal Tracking, and I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees! Enjoy books with your children. It is not only educational but loving, quality time. Hold them as you read and they will remember your story time forever and pass it on their love of books to their children.

Soar!