Jim Kjelgaard facts for kids

James Arthur Kjelgaard (born December 6, 1910 – died July 12, 1959) was an American author. He wrote many books for young adults, often about animals and nature.

Jim Kjelgaard's Early Life

Jim Kjelgaard was born in New York City, New York, on December 6, 1910. He was one of six children. His father, Carroll W. Kjelgaard, was a doctor.

Jim and his siblings grew up on a large 750-acre farm in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania. The outdoors was their favorite playground! Once, Jim and his brother Henry were playing outside when they saw a bear. They quickly climbed an apple tree to get away. Jim got down first and ran screaming into the house. Henry, being smaller, was stuck in the tree. The bear came back and stared at Henry while Jim laughed from a safe distance! This funny moment sparked Jim's love for bears, which later appeared in his books like Buckskin Brigade.

Growing Up and Finding a Passion

Even though his family didn't always have a lot of money, Jim's parents always tried to get him as many books as they could. Jim loved to read.

Later, his family's farm didn't do well, so they moved to Galeton, Pennsylvania. This is when Jim became very interested in writing. He even made a desk out of a box so he could write poems and stories on a typewriter. Jim also loved hunting, trapping, and fishing. He had a special love for dogs.

Around this time, Jim started having some health challenges. Doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, found a health problem. Luckily, he didn't need surgery right away. Jim was still able to continue his adventures and show his great love for the outdoors.

Jim Kjelgaard's Writing Career

Jim Kjelgaard wrote over 40 novels during his life. His most famous book is Big Red, which came out in 1945. This book was very popular, selling 225,000 copies by 1956. It was even made into a Walt Disney movie in 1962!

Most of Jim's books were about dogs and wild animals. He often told stories from the animal's point of view, making readers feel like they were right there with the animals. Besides his novels, Jim also wrote short stories for popular magazines like The Saturday Evening Post, Argosy, and Adventure.

List of Books by Jim Kjelgaard

• Forest Patrol (1941)
• Rebel Siege (1943)
• Big Red (1945)
• The Fangs of Tsan-Lo (1945)
• Buckskin Brigade (1947)
• Snow Dog (1948)
• Kalak of the Ice (1949)
• A Nose for Trouble (1949)
• Wild Trek (1950)
• Chip the Dam Builder (1950)
• Irish Red, Son of Big Red (1951)
• Fire-Hunter (1951)
• The Explorations of Pere Marquette (1951)
• Trailing Trouble (1952)
• Outlaw Red, Son of Big Red (1953)
• The Spell of the White Sturgeon (1953)
• The Coming of the Mormons (1953)
• Haunt Fox (1954)
• Cracker Barrel Trouble Shooter (1954)
• Lion Hound (1955)
• The Lost Wagon (1955)
• Desert Dog (1956)
• Trading Jeff and His Dog (1956)
• Wildlife Cameraman (1957)
• Cochise, Chief of Warriors (1957)
• Double Challenge (1957)
• We Were There at the Oklahoma Land Run (1957)
• Wolf Brother (1957)
• Swamp Cat (1957)
• Rescue Dog of the High Pass (1958)
• The Land Is Bright (1958)
• The Black Fawn (1958)
• The Story of Geronimo (1958)
• Hi Jolly (1959)
• Stormy (1959)
• Ulysses & His Woodland Zoo (1960)
• Boomerang Hunter (1960)
• The Duck-Footed Hound (1960)
• Tigre (1961)
• Hidden Trail (1962)
• Fawn in the Forest & other Wild Animal Stories (1962)
• Two Dogs & a Horse (1964)
• Furious Moose of the Wilderness (1965)
• Dave and His Dog, Mulligan (1966)
• Coyote Song (1969)