Crinkleroot's Guide to Giving Back to Nature

Jim Arnosky brings back Crinkleroot — the woodsman born in a tree and raised by bees — to teach children the satisfying practice of giving back to the natural world. Building birdhouses, composting leaves, releasing fish gently, cleaning up litter: Crinkleroot models each with Arnosky's signature pen-and-ink illustrations colored in acrylic washes, detailed enough to accurately depict actual species. Kirkus and Publishers Weekly both praised the book, singling out the skillful blend of cartoon charm and naturalistic accuracy. The result feels rare: genuinely fun and scientifically grounded at the same time. The caveat is age range — the activities and text are squarely aimed at five-to-eight-year-olds, and some projects need adult help. But as a nature-education read-aloud, it's a standout.