Jim Arnosky turns his keen eye and talented artistry to painting and writing about desert wildlife of the southwestern United States. Arnosky tells readers in the short introduction that the desert, which is so different from the landscape of his northeastern United States home, has held a fascination for him for years. Only recently did he make his first trip, however, and here he captures with both words and watercolors some of the birds, animals and reptiles that survive on this arid land. Arnosky writes with his usual friendly style, sharing memories from his journey and facts about desert wildlife. The detailed paintings are colorful, large and dramatic, giving readers an up-close view of these creatures of the natural world. (Ages 7-10)

Beckoned by its alluring landscape, Jim Arnosky paints and describes the desert' s most famous residents--Gila monsters, snakes, lizards, and a variety of birds of prey. A keen observer, he also spies some creatures that may surprise readers: the desert deer, pronghorn antelope, and bighorn sheep.

Arnosky' s vibrant, engaging artwork is complemented by his lively first-person narrative. He adds a wealth of enlightening facts about desert creatures to make this a fascinating picture of the American southwest.