Animal tales for young readers
Whether they’ve got fur or scales or feathers, animals are a big part of our lives, and so it’s no surprise that you could fill a whole bookshelf with great animal stories for children. Here’s a selection of our favourite animal tales for readers aged 7+.
CAT LOVERS
Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh
If we’re talking books about cats, we can’t go past the King of Cats: the one and only Carbonel. After shopping for a surprise for her mother, Rosemary gets more than she bargains for when she’s talked into buying a witch’s broom that comes as a package deal with feisty Carbonel. It turns out that his previous witch owner trapped him with a spell, and now it’s up to Rosemary to return the King of Cats to his throne. First published in 1955, this classic is well and truly made by the haughty Carbonel, who is everything you’d expect from feline royalty.
For ages 8+.
More recommended reads for cat lovers…
Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunt – An epic series of survival and clan loyalty from the point of view of warrior cats. For ages 9+.
Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate – A large imaginary cat helps a young boy whose family has fallen on hard times. For ages 9+.
Mr Puffball: Stunt Cat to the Stars by Constance Lombardo – Mr Puffball has big dreams in this illustrated adventure. For ages 7+.
DOG LOVERS
Grover Finds a Home by Claire Garth
Poor Grover isn’t having a good time. After escaping from his owner’s back yard during a storm, he’s taken to an animal shelter. As if being cold, wet and scared isn’t bad enough, things get even worse when Grover’s owners don’t want him back. He likes the people at the animal shelter, but what will Grover do if he can’t find a home for good? Based on the author’s real encounter with meeting Grover for the very first time, these books are sure to become a family favourite.
For ages 7+.
More recommended reads for dog lovers…
What Dog Knows by Sylvia Vanden Heede – Dog and Wolf compare their knowledge on topics from dinosaurs to rockets for a fact-filled, entertaining and highly original read. For ages 7+.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith – This classic tale was the basis for the Disney film, definitely a must-read. For ages 7+.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo – A young girl finds her world growing bigger thanks to the friendship of a very special dog. For ages 9+.
FOX LOVERS
Pax by Sara Pennypacker & Jon Klassen
After finding an orphaned fox cub, Peter adopts the helpless Pax and soon they become the best of friends. But when his father leaves to fight in the war, Peter must stay with his grandfather, and without Pax. Peter releases Pax back into the wild, but after one night apart the pair realise they must find each other again, and so they set out to do just that. This heartfelt tale that shows friendship knows no bounds is brought to life by Jon Klassen’s stunning illustrations.
For ages 10+.
More recommended reads for fox lovers…
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl – Clever Mr Fox outwits three mean farmers in this classic Dahl tale. For ages 7+.
Foxcraft: Taken by Inbali Iserles – Two young foxes must navigate the world of humans. For ages 9+.
That is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willems – A hilarious picture book from the creator of the Elephant & Piggie series in which a goose (perhaps unwisely) goes for a walk with a hungry fox. For ages 5+.
HORSE LOVERS
Mrs Whitlam by Bruce Pascoe
Maggie wants to be a horse rider, but there’s only one problem: she doesn’t have a horse. All that changes when the Clydesdale Mrs Margaret “Maggie” Whitlam comes into her life. Together the two find they can leap any hurdle, and not just on the jumping course – with Maggie’s help, Marnie learns to stand up for what she believes in and make some brand new friendships.
For ages 9+.
More recommended reads for horse lovers…
Phoebe and her Unicorn by Dana Simpson – Technically Heavenly Nostrils is a unicorn rather than a horse, but we don’t think anybody will mind once they start reading this very, very funny graphic novel. For ages 8+.
Loyal Creatures by Morris Gleitzman – Loyalty and honor are the themes in this historical tale about a young man and his horse fighting in Gallipoli. For ages 9+.
Snow Pony by Alison Lester– Dusty is the only one able to ride the Snow Pony in this classic Australian tale of drought and survival. For ages 9+.
AND THE REST OF THE MENAGERIE
Iris and the Tiger by Leanne Hall
After her plotting parents ship her off to stay with an ancient aunt in an effort to snag an inheritance, Iris finds all is not what it seems at Bosque de Nubes. Instead she discovers her Great Aunt Ursula is as vivid as the Surrealist paintings that line the walls of her home, and if an eccentric relative isn’t enough to deal with, there’s also the mysterious missing tiger.
For ages 10+.
More recommended reads for indiscriminate animal lovers…
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling – Add this stunning collector’s edition to your bookshelves after seeing the new film. For ages 8+.
The Last Wild by Piers Torday – When a boy named Kester discovers he can talk to animals, his entire world is changed. For ages 9+.
Mister Cassowary by Samantha Wheeler – A young boy tries to get to the bottom of his dad’s fear of cassowaries after he finds a couple of orphaned chicks. For ages 8+.
Mr & Mrs Bunny, Detectives Extraordinaire! by Polly Horvath – After a girl’s parents are kidnapped by foxes, she turns to a pair of rabbit detectives to help. For ages 8+.
Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler – A brave mouse battles to save his home of Atlantia. For ages 9+.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate – An artistic gorilla’s world is changed forever when he meets a baby elephant. For ages 9+.
The Bad Guys: Episode 1 by Aaron Blabey – A wolf, a shark, a snake and a piranha struggle with their bad guy reputation in this illustrated read. For ages 6+.
