I wasn't a full page into the book before I had read three cringe-worthy declarations or off-handed remarks. I decided to read 'Big Red' to myself again before nurturing false expectations. But I'm trying not to judge a book by its cover. They aren't necessarily fit to compete with the likes of Hannah Montana, who appears to have her own television show, agent, marketing guru, and a truly obnoxious website that undoubtedly appeals to girls. Some of the classics, like so-called celebrities, are famous for no discernable reason. I'm not a pushy or unreasonable adult, and it was possible that my memory of 'Big Red' might be a little tarnished, that the book might not meet modern expectations. The oldest, still 2 years old, but barely, is learning to identify animal tracks in the snow. It occurred to me, in my role as grandpa, that one of my grandkids might inherit my love of wild things. Without a doubt, Kjelgaard was my first and best guidance counselor. I earned a college education through the GI Bill and eventually became a wildlife biologist. Some years later I learned about a profession – wildlife biology – that would let me interact with wildlife in ways a hardscrabble trapper can't imagine. You don't see that much in the post-Harry Potter era. Their dust jackets often portrayed someone carrying or aiming a rifle.

Kjelgaard's other young-adult novels featured hunters, big game guides, game wardens, naturalists, and wildlife photographers. Bears, wolverines, foxes, deer, grouse: things like that. It was a means to an end, a way to live among wild animals.

Red's owner was a trapper and I figured that's what I would be someday, even though I had no practical experience in that field. They often encountered wildlife, shooting some, studying some, and fighting some. The Irish setter Red and his 17-year-old partner were free to explore the outdoors whenever they wanted. I longed for a dog, a gun, and a long walk to the nearest neighbor. I was living in Germany at the time, in military housing, unable to own a dog and far from the woodsy environments featured in Kjelgaard's adventures. 'Big Red' was the first of a series of outdoor books written by Jim Kjelgaard, stories about a boy and his dogs. One book I think I'd like to share with her one day is a novel I read in fifth or sixth grade, over 50 years ago: 'Big Red.' Seuss.įor me, the anticipation is half the fun, and I'm planning years ahead. I read my daughters hundreds of picture books, of course, but when they were a little older, even after they learned to read on their own, we took epic journeys through books like 'The Hobbit' and 'The Secret Garden.' Now I'm looking forward to sharing some 'big girl' books with my granddaughter, whose idea of a good author still tilts toward Dr. Reading to a child is one of life's simple pleasures. How often does a book you read as a child influence the choices you make as an adult? Updated: DecemPublished: February 14, 2013

Big Red by Jim Kjelgaard