Jim Kjelgaard (1910–1959)
Author of Big Red
About the Author
Series
Works by Jim Kjelgaard
The Wild Horse Roundup: A Collection Of Stories By Members Of Western Writers Of America (2012) 3 copies
Duck-Footed Hound 1 copy
Hound Dogs and Others 1 copy
"Horses for the Cavalry" 1 copy
"The Lieutenant's Horse" 1 copy
Associated Works
The Big Book of Favorite Horse Stories: Twenty-Five Outstanding Stories by Distinguished Authors (1965) — Contributor — 168 copies, 1 review
Argosy, January 7, 1939 — Contributor — 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Kjelgaard, James Arthur
- Other names
- Elgard, Jim
- Birthdate
- 1910-12-06
- Date of death
- 1959-07-12
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Syracuse University
- Occupations
- park ranger
trapper
teamster
guide
factory worker
laborer (show all 9)
surveyor (assistant)
plumber (apprentice)
children's book author - Short biography
- James Arthur Kjelgaard imbued each of his many books for children with his two great loves: nature and dogs. Although born in New York City, he spent his childhood living on farms located in the Allegheny Mountain Range that runs through the state of Pennsylvania. Combining his personal experiences of the wild country he know as a boy with the animals he came to know and love, Kjelgaard wrote many popular animal stories for children before his untimely death at the age of forty-eight. As a young man, Kjelgaard held various jobs--trapper, laborer, and surveyor’s assistant--but in 1938, at age twenty-eight, he decided to focus his energies on writing stories for children. He began setting down his own recollections of the woodland regions of North American and from there fashioned stories featuring colorful, enigmatic characters long with, of course, dogs. "Story hunts have led me from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
and from the Arctic Circle to Mexico City," Kjelgaard
once wrote in Young Wings. "Stories, like gold, are where
you find them. You may discover one three thousand miles from home or . . . right on your own doorstep." Kjelgaard’s "story hunts" yielded a wealth of colorful
tales which continue to bring his great love of both the wilderness and his many canine friends to life for young readers.
Contemporary Authors Gale
He was the son of a physician - Cause of death
- suicide
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- New York, New York, USA
- Places of residence
- Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
Galeton, Pennsylvania, USA
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA - Place of death
- Phoenix, Arizona, USA
- Burial location
- Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, Wisconsin, USA
- Map Location
- Pennsylvania, USA
Members
Reviews
Star - so named because of the star-shaped patch of white fur on his chest - was an inquisitive young fox with a nose for adventure, and a talent for getting himself out of tight spots. When his raids on the farms in the valley, and subsequent ability to elude his hunters, earn him the sobriquet 'Haunt Fox' - "A "haunt" fox was an especially elusive one, a beast with ghost-like qualities," the narrator informs the reader - he becomes the prime quarry for all the eager fox-hunters of the show more area, from grim woodsman Dade Matson to adolescent farm-boy Jack Crowley. As Star pursues his own path in the wild - ranging far abroad to avoid an outbreak of rabies, finding and mating with the she-fox Vixen, providing for his first family of cubs - Jack yearns to bring him down, thereby winning a reputation as a hunter, and proving the worth of his hound, Thunder. But when the boy and fox do finally meet, the outcome is unexpected...
Originally published in 1954, Haunt Fox is one of Jim Kjelgaard's many stories featuring animal characters - the author's dog books, from Big Red to Snow Dog, are perhaps amongst his best-known work - who are realistically depicted in their natural setting. Although long aware of the author's reputation, I had never before picked up one of his books, and wasn't sure just what to expect. As someone who believes that subsistence hunting is justifiable, but finds sport hunting morally deranged, I was worried that the author would glorify hunting in a way I found unpleasant - that the focus would be on killing the animal as a kind of victory for the boy. What I discovered instead was that, although the author does indeed depict hunting as a noble activity, he by no means finds all hunting or hunters admirable. Dade Matson, who makes his living from the woods, is depicted as a cold and mercenary man, one who has no real interest in the animals he kills, save as a means to earning money. Jack Crowley, on the other hand, is depicted as a hunter who appreciates the cunning of his foe, the loyalty and perseverance of his dog, and the pleasure of the hunt itself. What seems to separate good hunters from bad hunters, in Kjelgaard's view, is joy: Dade Matson's hunt is all about the outcome, the killing; whereas Jack and Thunder's hunt is all about the process, about pitting one's skills against a worthy adversary. And so it is that when Jack finds Star caught in one of Dade Matson's many traps, while pursuing him through the snowy forest,he sets him free, rather than killing him . This was not the outcome I was expecting, and left me with a great deal to ponder. I enjoyed this tale immensely, largely because I found Star, whose narrative predominates, such an engaging character, but also because the unexpected complexity in the depiction of hunters and hunting gave me something to think about. Wholeheartedly recommended to young readers who enjoy animal stories, or to anyone who appreciates tales about clever foxes. show less
Originally published in 1954, Haunt Fox is one of Jim Kjelgaard's many stories featuring animal characters - the author's dog books, from Big Red to Snow Dog, are perhaps amongst his best-known work - who are realistically depicted in their natural setting. Although long aware of the author's reputation, I had never before picked up one of his books, and wasn't sure just what to expect. As someone who believes that subsistence hunting is justifiable, but finds sport hunting morally deranged, I was worried that the author would glorify hunting in a way I found unpleasant - that the focus would be on killing the animal as a kind of victory for the boy. What I discovered instead was that, although the author does indeed depict hunting as a noble activity, he by no means finds all hunting or hunters admirable. Dade Matson, who makes his living from the woods, is depicted as a cold and mercenary man, one who has no real interest in the animals he kills, save as a means to earning money. Jack Crowley, on the other hand, is depicted as a hunter who appreciates the cunning of his foe, the loyalty and perseverance of his dog, and the pleasure of the hunt itself. What seems to separate good hunters from bad hunters, in Kjelgaard's view, is joy: Dade Matson's hunt is all about the outcome, the killing; whereas Jack and Thunder's hunt is all about the process, about pitting one's skills against a worthy adversary. And so it is that when Jack finds Star caught in one of Dade Matson's many traps, while pursuing him through the snowy forest,
Two dogs and a Horse is comprised of 3 stories:
A Dog Remembers
The Black Horse
The Lake and the Lonely Exiles
The title page proudly says ‘Weekly Reader Children’ Book Club presents…’ so it is quick read. Overall, I enjoyed the book. There is not much room in short stories to fully develop the story but I think enough.
The first story, A Dog Remembers, had an ending that seemed a bit rushed.
The second one, The Black Horse, someone said is similar to Black Beauty, but I haven’t read show more that book so can only say it is the story of a wild black horse that someone through days of patience and a situation where the guy has to help the horse out, leads to taming the horse. I much prefer dog stories to horse stories but it was enjoyable enough.
The last story, The Lake with the Lonely Exiles, is about an abandoned dog that befriends a stranded goose and is my favorite in the book.
The big reason I liked the book and Jim Kjelgaard’s books in general is how lovingly he describes the wilds and the creatures in it. One way you can see that is in what he seems to put in every of his story and books, a paragraph bursting with observations of animals as if they are everywhere around you if you just take the time to look around. Here is one example:
‘Occasionally, the ripples on the surface was shattered or crossed by a curling V-wake that marked the watery trail of a swimming muskrat. At the far north end of the lake, a lithe doe, who had left her dappled fawn hidden in a thicket, sipped, raised a nervous head to look, and lower in to sip again. As though his last dark deed, the murder of a nesting mallard, could not abide the light, a snake-thin mink looked for a den in which he might lie up and found one in a hollow stump. Two crows, busily trying to pick up a dead fish that floated with white belly upward, cawed their disappointment or rising excitement as their fortunes waned or rose. Saucy, red-winged blackbirds tilted on bending rushes and whistled defiance to the rest of the world.’
Here is another example from the first story about the man who is the dog’s master who lives a simple life out in the woods:
‘He understood the hills, and all about them. He read furtive rustlings in the brush as understandingly as residents of Stauffer read their newspapers. He knew the winter’s den from which the she-bear, walking lean from her winter’s hibernation, took her cubs to meet the world. He could interpret the cries of the hawk, the screams of the jay. The pitch and tone of the wind, the sound of the rain, the formation of the clouds, the actions of birds, all told him secrets hidden from most men.’
Another thing I like about his books and stories is often his characters don’t complain much of hardships and just seek happiness in a simple life. For almost all of us we have to devote a lot of time to a career, have plenty of bills to pay, and a fair amount of responsibilities. The thought of a simple life structured around something you love is very appealing. In this next passage the main character in the Black Horse talks about how describes what he wants out of life after making his way through difficulties:
‘It was the biggest and most magnificent horse Jed had ever seen. He knew horses. Son of an indifferent mother and a father who vanished shortly after he was born, victim of paralysis in his childhood, he had spent all his life doing cores for Raglan and other stockmen in the hills. He had never earned more than ten dollars a month, but he had dreams and ambitions. If he could get only ten acres of land for himself, he would somehow or other procure a mare and make a living raising horses. That, for Jed, would be all he wanted of happiness.’
Jim Kjelgaard’s stories of the characters can be a bit predictable but it his predictable loving care of the wilds, of animals, and of the simple life, that make me enjoy this book as well as seek to read all of his books relating to dogs.
One last thing, I liked all the pencil drawing illustrations in the book, but found the noses of the horse and dogs on the cover seemed a little too elongated. show less
A Dog Remembers
The Black Horse
The Lake and the Lonely Exiles
The title page proudly says ‘Weekly Reader Children’ Book Club presents…’ so it is quick read. Overall, I enjoyed the book. There is not much room in short stories to fully develop the story but I think enough.
The first story, A Dog Remembers, had an ending that seemed a bit rushed.
The second one, The Black Horse, someone said is similar to Black Beauty, but I haven’t read show more that book so can only say it is the story of a wild black horse that someone through days of patience and a situation where the guy has to help the horse out, leads to taming the horse. I much prefer dog stories to horse stories but it was enjoyable enough.
The last story, The Lake with the Lonely Exiles, is about an abandoned dog that befriends a stranded goose and is my favorite in the book.
The big reason I liked the book and Jim Kjelgaard’s books in general is how lovingly he describes the wilds and the creatures in it. One way you can see that is in what he seems to put in every of his story and books, a paragraph bursting with observations of animals as if they are everywhere around you if you just take the time to look around. Here is one example:
‘Occasionally, the ripples on the surface was shattered or crossed by a curling V-wake that marked the watery trail of a swimming muskrat. At the far north end of the lake, a lithe doe, who had left her dappled fawn hidden in a thicket, sipped, raised a nervous head to look, and lower in to sip again. As though his last dark deed, the murder of a nesting mallard, could not abide the light, a snake-thin mink looked for a den in which he might lie up and found one in a hollow stump. Two crows, busily trying to pick up a dead fish that floated with white belly upward, cawed their disappointment or rising excitement as their fortunes waned or rose. Saucy, red-winged blackbirds tilted on bending rushes and whistled defiance to the rest of the world.’
Here is another example from the first story about the man who is the dog’s master who lives a simple life out in the woods:
‘He understood the hills, and all about them. He read furtive rustlings in the brush as understandingly as residents of Stauffer read their newspapers. He knew the winter’s den from which the she-bear, walking lean from her winter’s hibernation, took her cubs to meet the world. He could interpret the cries of the hawk, the screams of the jay. The pitch and tone of the wind, the sound of the rain, the formation of the clouds, the actions of birds, all told him secrets hidden from most men.’
Another thing I like about his books and stories is often his characters don’t complain much of hardships and just seek happiness in a simple life. For almost all of us we have to devote a lot of time to a career, have plenty of bills to pay, and a fair amount of responsibilities. The thought of a simple life structured around something you love is very appealing. In this next passage the main character in the Black Horse talks about how describes what he wants out of life after making his way through difficulties:
‘It was the biggest and most magnificent horse Jed had ever seen. He knew horses. Son of an indifferent mother and a father who vanished shortly after he was born, victim of paralysis in his childhood, he had spent all his life doing cores for Raglan and other stockmen in the hills. He had never earned more than ten dollars a month, but he had dreams and ambitions. If he could get only ten acres of land for himself, he would somehow or other procure a mare and make a living raising horses. That, for Jed, would be all he wanted of happiness.’
Jim Kjelgaard’s stories of the characters can be a bit predictable but it his predictable loving care of the wilds, of animals, and of the simple life, that make me enjoy this book as well as seek to read all of his books relating to dogs.
One last thing, I liked all the pencil drawing illustrations in the book, but found the noses of the horse and dogs on the cover seemed a little too elongated. show less
I enjoyed the book but it isn’t one of my favorites by Jim Kjelgaard. Most of the time his books make you stop and smell the flowers, or rather feel the beauty of the wild, and I didn’t feel that so much in this book. It was interesting to think of a time when ‘mountain men’ had to change their ways and abide by limits and hunting seasons enforced by a few game wardens. Also, interesting to think of that time from the game wardens perspective. The hunt for the poacher Black Elk was show more predictable, but the hunt to catch him and his cohorts was enjoyable.
The dog in the book had a good enough part, not too over the top, but good. The dog ‘Smoky’ was described this way:
It was a large, tawny hound, smoke-gray in color. One of its dangling ears had been ripped and was almost healed. Tom looked wonderingly at it. Its outward confirmation was similar to the Plott hounds that made up old Bill’s pack, but it was not a Plott hound. Its jowls were very heavy, and overhung the lower jaw in leathery folds. On the sad-looking face, tan relieved the hounds smoky-gray color. show less
The dog in the book had a good enough part, not too over the top, but good. The dog ‘Smoky’ was described this way:
It was a large, tawny hound, smoke-gray in color. One of its dangling ears had been ripped and was almost healed. Tom looked wonderingly at it. Its outward confirmation was similar to the Plott hounds that made up old Bill’s pack, but it was not a Plott hound. Its jowls were very heavy, and overhung the lower jaw in leathery folds. On the sad-looking face, tan relieved the hounds smoky-gray color. show less
I just happened to come across an audiobook of this story recently, when I needed something to listen to. What a great story! I’ve loved Jim Kjelgaard’s works for years; he does an excellent job capturing the hearts and temperaments of the animals he writes about and has an excellent grasp on people and what makes them tick. I also love his description of nature—you feel like you’re there when you’re reading his books.
This was a fascinating story. There was a bit of mystery, some show more danger, and a lot of adventure in this short book. It’s perfect for children who don’t mind seeing a little of the realities of life, and love a good animal story. It also has a fascinating theme of forgiveness vs. greediness—I enjoyed seeing how that worked out in the story. Overall, a great read. If I ever find a print copy, I’ll be picking it up! show less
This was a fascinating story. There was a bit of mystery, some show more danger, and a lot of adventure in this short book. It’s perfect for children who don’t mind seeing a little of the realities of life, and love a good animal story. It also has a fascinating theme of forgiveness vs. greediness—I enjoyed seeing how that worked out in the story. Overall, a great read. If I ever find a print copy, I’ll be picking it up! show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 67
- Also by
- 11
- Members
- 8,317
- Popularity
- #2,902
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 122
- ISBNs
- 240
- Languages
- 2
- Favorited
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