Laurence Pringle
Have you always enjoyed writing?
I've never claimed to enjoy writing. Some of the time, especially at the beginning of a book or magazine article, writing is like torture, and I wonder why I inflict this career on myself. Sometimes it is fun, and deeply satisfying.
I'm not one of those people who felt an urge to write at an early age. I did love to read, though, and I also felt a need for recognition or acceptance. Having my name on a magazine article or book was one way to achieve that.
How did you become an author of books for children and young adults?
This took several steps, and one involved serendipity. I studied wildlife biology in college, and had begun to seek a doctorate in that field. But for several reasons, including trouble with such subjects as German and statistics, I decided to switch to journalism. A bit later, in 1962, I was looking for a job as an editor and writer with an outdoor or science magazine. I found just one opening-with Nature and Science, a children's magazine published by The American Museum of Natural History. During the seven years of that magazine's life I learned a lot about writing for young readers. If I hadn't found that particular job I might never have written for children and young adults.
When I joined that magazine in early 1963,I never dreamed of writing a book. But my confidence as a writer grew. Roy Gallant, an editor of the magazine and an author of many fine books, encouraged me to try to write on. My first manuscript was rejected by several publishers but was finally accepted and published in 1968.
When Nature and Science died in the spring of 1970, I had two choices: look for another editing job or try to survive as a freelance writer. I chose the latter path, and have since written more than 60 books and perhaps as many magazine articles.
You often write about wildlife and nature. Do you spend a lot of time traveling and making observations outdoors?
That's how many people picture me-prowling through a marsh in a canoe, watching wild animals, and taking notes that I will later use in a book. Well, I do own a canoe, but a more realistic picture of me at work shows a man seated at his desk or in a library.
I welcome opportunities to travel and to experience the subjects I write about directly, but most of the ideas and details in my books come from other books, magazines, and scientific journals. As we all learn in elementary school when we are first asked to write reports, it is possible to do research and write accurately about a subject like the planet Mars, which we may never visit.
Sometimes I travel to take photographs for a book, or to interview a scientist. And I do keep a journal of my wildlife observations. However, it would be silly for me to write about my experiences with, say, black bears, when I can write about Lynn Roers, as I did in Bearman: Exploring the World of Black Bears. He has spent all of his adult life studying them. The success and quality of my work rests partly on help from experts like Lynn Rogers. Most scientists are eager to have their work explained clearly and accurately to the public, and generously share their knowledge.
You say that writing can be torture. What are some of its pleasures for you?
First, I get to satisfy my own curiosity. When I have an opportunity to write about a subject, my basic feeling is not "Oh, boy, a chance to write" but "Oh, boy, a chance to learn about something I want to know more about!" I thoroughly enjoy the research, organizing ideas, and the other steps before I begin to write.
Second, I write to express my voice-my feelings and values. In a sense, I am like a teacher. Not, I hope, a teacher who drones on and on, or one who aims to jam only names, dates, and other facts into students' heads, but a teacher whose passion for ideas and excitement about knowledge is communicated to students.
Do you have a favorite book?
No, I could narrow them down to a favorite fifteen. One of the pleasures of this work is variety; each book presents different challenges in research and writing, in finding or taking photographs, in the whole process of producing a book. The satisfactions also vary.
Your books about environmental problems earn high praise from reviewers. What is your philosophy in dealing with such issues?
Since I am a hopeful person, I try to offer hope for solution to problems; for example, in reducing acid rain. I don't minimize the difficulty of accomplishing social or political change, but I often conclude that people in a democracy do have power to effect change.
These books pose ethical problems for me as a writer. For example, I am not an advocate of nuclear power, so writing a totally neutral book on this controversial issue would not represent my feelings. On the other hand, a heavily slanted antinuclear book would not be fair to readers. In Nuclear Energy: Troubled Past, Uncertain Future, I try to give all viewpoints, and tell readers where to find more information-pro and con-to help them make up their own minds.
Reproduced from publisher brochure, Macmillan Children's Books, 1993.
For more on Laurence Pringle, go to his website at www.laurencepringle.com
Reviews
Batman
Laurence Pringle
Open just about any bat book and Dr. Merlin Tuttle's name appears: in the credits as photographer, in the acknowledgements as consultant, in the text as scientist and founder of BCI (Bat Conservation International), or in the bibliography as author. He is the real world's "batman," a dedicated scientist whose initiative, research, and perseverance have changed many people's opinion of bats from expendable to essential. Laurence Pringle's enlightening focus on the man and his work reveals a person who knew at a very early age who he was, what he wanted to do, and how he went about doing it. The good doctor, whose photographs illustrate this very readable book, is someone youngsters should meet, even when bats aren't on the agenda. Especially when Mr. Pringle makes the introduction. 1991, Scribner's, Ages 9 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin
Bats! Strange and Wonderful
Laurence Pringle
Illustrations by Meryl Henderson
In clear and logically unfolding prose, Pringle defines bats and describes some of the habits and features of the near-one-thousand bat species that live on earth. Most examples center on the 800 types of microbats, with mentions of the large megabats. Living in Asia, Africa, and Australia, these large wing-span bats, also called flying foxes, feed on tropical fruit and help pollinate and spread the seeds of the fruit. Illustrations depict vampire bats walking with their wings and feeding, accurate close-ups of various bat types, a gallery of five interesting bat faces, and some charming features of bats such as their ability to make living tents from palm leaves. Covering content similar in appeal and depth to that found in Ann Earle's Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats (HarperCollins, l995), Pringle's text reads aloud more smoothly. Endmatter includes a note on how to learn more about bats and the address of Bat Conservation International. 2000, Boyds Mills, Ages 6 to 9, $15.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 1-56397-327-8
Coral Reefs: Earth's Undersea Treasures
Laurence Pringle
Stunning photographs and a lively and informative text take readers on a tour of the endangered reefs of the world. Pringle's chapter titles will grab attention as he discusses "Fish of the Reef" with an emphasis on who eats whom, "A Wealth of Life in a Poor Neighborhood" and "Chemical Warfare" that show and tell about the good, bad and ugly residents of the reefs. A map showing the location of the reefs, glossary and pronunciation guide round out the book. A good resource for casual reading or for students researching the topic. 1995, Simon & Schuster, Ages 10 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
A Dragon in the Sky: The Story of a Green Darner Dragonfly
Lawrence Pringle
Illustrated by Bob Marstall
If you think you have had a bad day, you might want to look at the uncertainty of life for the green darner dragonfly. The cycle of one of these fascinating creatures is chronicled from the egg stage in a swamp in western New York to the adult "dragon" stage in Florida. These amazing creatures migrate hundreds of miles and have been known to avoid going over large bodies of water such as Lake Ontario by going around them. Anax, the dragonfly featured, hatched from the egg after three weeks. He then moved on to the nymph stage at a tenth of an inch. Anax hung onto leaves underwater and continued to grow by molting ten more times. With each molt, the young nymph's eyesight became keener and with muscles in his abdomen, he escaped from a giant water bug and other predators. His life continued to be fraught with perils as he avoided becoming a food source. Even as he finally emerged into a magnificent dragon, Anax needed his exceptional eyes and flying skills to avoid hungry birds while making his remarkable journey. Detailed illustrations accompany this incredible book. Instructions for the care of dragonfly nymphs, supplemental reading and web sites will encourage children to further their knowledge about a fascinating insect. 2001, Orchard Books/Scholastic, Ages All, $18.95. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 0-531-30315-2
Elephant Woman: Cynthia Moss Explores the World of Elephants
Laurence Pringle
Photographs by Cynthia Moss
This is a fascinating look at one woman's life and work. The author masterfully mixes his telling of the biography of naturalist Cynthia Moss with descriptions of the life, culture, physical attributes, and environmental realities of the elephants she studies. Photographs dot the pages of this short, highly readable book and bring heightened intimacy to the text. This book succeeds on so many levels: readers learn about elephants, scientists, wildlife preservation, the spirit of adventure, and what can happen when dedicated people commit their lives to following their hearts and dreams. 1997, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, Ages 10 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Judy Katsh
Everybody Has a Bellybutton: Your Life Before You Were Born
Laurence Pringle
Illustrated by Clare Wood
Every single person in the whole world owns a bellybutton. This book uses the bellybutton as a launch for a gentle look at the development of a human embryo, fetus, and finally a baby. Of course, the bellybutton marks the spot where the life sustaining umbilical cord attached each individual to its mother. Young readers might imagine their own journey inside their mother each time they look at their own bellybutton. The drawings are realistically done in black and white pencil. There are no labels on the pictures of the growing embryo/fetus but some of the proper names and meanings are mentioned in the text. This book makes a good initial opener for discussions with young children about babies and birth. 1997, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 4 to 7, $14.95. Reviewer: Sally J. K. Davies
An Extraordinary Life: The Story of a Monarch Butterfly
Laurence Pringle
Paintings by Bob Marstall
The life cycle and incredible migration of these small creatures are always a source of wonder. Pringle tells it all in a story form that is scientifically accurate and accompanied by the realistic paintings of Marstall. Readers follow Danaus as she develops into adulthood and journeys to her wintering site in Mexico. Sidebars, maps information about protecting habitats and raising monarchs, and a bibliography are part of the package. 1997, Orchard, Ages 10 up, $18.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Global Warming: The Threat of Earth's Changing Climate
Laurence Pringle
Did you know that burning trees to clear farmland damages the atmosphere in two different ways? Or that between 1959 and 1993, German scientists noted an eleven-day lengthening of the growing season? Pringle, a renowned science writer for children, stacks up tons of facts-some of them spooky-in Global Warming. The author has a definite point of view, suggesting, for instance, that the U.S. government establish minimum fuel-efficiency standards instead of allowing Americans to drive "gas guzzlers." Pringle also pooh-poohs recent charges that scientists don't fully understand or agree about global warming, saying that "powerful forces" such as oil-exporting nations and car manufacturers are trying to introduce doubts because they stand to lose money if they have to comply with things like the Kyoto Protocol. Certainly, he offers some pretty compelling arguments, writing at length about climate, the oceans, melting glaciers and other heavy scientific topics. He writes in a way that should get children's attention and encourage them to think about something that may be affecting the world they will inherit. 2001, SeaStar Books, Ages 9 up, $16.95. Reviewer: Donna Freedman
ISBN: 1-58717-009-4
Jackal Woman
Laurence Pringle
Photographs by Patricia D. Moehlman
Mr. Pringle introduces young readers to behavioral ecologist Patricia D. Moehlman whose study of two species of jackal in the Tanzania's Serengeti Plain has shown them to be caring parents and skilled hunters. 1993, Scribner's, Ages 8 to 10, $14.95. Reviewer: Beverly Kobrin
One Room School
Laurence Pringle
Illustrations by Barbara Garrison
Children will love the engaging details of this charming book by beloved author Laurence Pringle. In this book he recalls his childhood days in the one room school with only five students in the largest class. His recollections are peppered with World War II scrap metal drives and sleigh rides to school when the roads were closed by snow. Readers will love Miss Gladys Shackleton, the teacher. Students loved her Model A Ford and if they were especially good and studied hard, Miss Shackelton took everyone for a ride through town. The luckiest students got to ride in the rumble seat. Barbara Garrison's warm illustrations are created to resemble photos in a scrapbook. They perfectly capture the old-fashioned charm and feel of this book. 1998, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 4 to 8, $15.95. Reviewer: Sue Reichard
Sharks! Strange and Wonderful
Laurence Pringle
Illustrated by Meryl Henderson
There are almost four hundred types of sharks inhabiting the oceans and more are being discovered year by year. This is a sympathetic look at these creatures, documenting the fact that there are many types other than the great white shark, the best known and most feared of all sharks. The megamouth, the wobbbegong and the cookiecutter are just three of the most fascinating. The book is generously illustrated and the opening lines indicate how skillfully the author, a prolific writer knowledgeable about the natural world, gains the young reader's attention with direct comparison. "Sharks are a special kind of fish. They can be small enough to fit in your hand, or bigger than a school bus." The anatomy, feeding patterns and habitats are all covered, offering students an interesting look at the world of the sharks and a better understanding of the part they play in the cycle of life under the sea. 2001, Caroline House/Boyds Mills Press, Ages 6 to 9, $15.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford
ISBN: 1-56397-863-6
Taking Care of the Earth: Kids in Action
Laurence Pringle
Illustrations by Bobbie Moore
This excellent guide highlights the efforts of young people from around the world who are making the earth a better, safer place to live. This resource contains motivating stories about young environmentalists, tips on how kids can clean up and preserve the earth, and a list of environmental organizations. 1996, Boyds Mills Press, Ages 7 to 10, $14.95. Reviewer: Debra Briatico
Vanishing Ozone: Protecting Earth from Ultraviolet Radiation
Laurence Pringle
Can we afford not to be concerned? The protective ozone layer is shrinking and skin cancer is on the rise. Noted nonfiction writer Pringle, moves from an explanation of what ozone is to the discovery by scientist that the ozone layer is indeed in danger. He further delves into the political and economic barriers that prevented serous actions early on, and tells readers what they can do to help protect themselves and the environment. This is a well-written and timely book on a subject that affects everyone. 1995, Morrow, Ages 10 up, $16.00 and $15.93. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Added 09/01/01
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