Nature has been called ‘the effect whose cause is God.” Ulysses became an integral part of this effect, and, in spite of the fact that he considered himself the world’s top bumbler—often with plenty of reasons, vehemently vouched for by those left behind in the debris—he proved himself indispensable to the Woodland World into which he characteristically stumbled. In the world of man, Ulysses stumbled and bumbled constantly, but in the world of the forest, where he surprisingly became winter caretaker and lone occupant of an isolated hunters’ lodge, he attained dignity, wisdom and assurance as he employed every faculty of his senses and opened his heart to its mysteries and its beauty—and its animal residents. For Ulysses was not alone for long. During that winter in this beloved woods he acquired his amazing wild zoo. This included a pugilistic crippled antelope buck, and injured bird, a lost beagle, a rabbit saved from a weasel and a baleful bobcat! he also acquired a dangerous human enemy. All were a challenge to his young manhood—met with simple courage and unique glory. The judges for the 1960 Boys’ Life—Dodd, Mead Writing Award have unanimously agreed that, this year, the prize should not be given to a writer new in the field. Rather, it was decided that the honor should be awarded posthumously to Jim Kjelgaard who has won the affection and esteem of many boys over many years for his fine and understanding books. Ulysses and his Woodland Zoo, and entirely new book, is a true example of his buoyant, sensitive writing. Illustrated by Kendall Rossi.