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Friends in the Animal Kingdom
Children enjoy stories, fables, and tales about animals. This Showcase highlights fiction and fiction picture books that feature animals.
Please browse the titles below and click on those that interest you to see cover art and a full book
description. Some of the titles may also include examples of interior art that offer a clearer representation of the actual book. The titles included in the Showcase are selected by their publishers
who provide the art and descriptive information.
These books are available at your local bookstore, which we urge you to patronize. Your local
bookseller can supply these titles and offer professional, informed help in selecting other good books for children. Check the American Booksellers Association's directory of member bookstores for a bookseller near you.
If you do not have convenient access to any local bookstores, you can purchase these CBC Showcase books online from independent bookstores at  .
CBC Showcase is a bimonthly thematic bibliography available only online. Please visit the Showcase Archive to view previous lists, which include Poetry Titles, Math and Counting Books, Folk and Fairy
tales, The African-American Experience, Humorous Books, Holiday Titles, and much more.
Ananse and the Lizard
, written by Pat Cummings.
Ages 4-8. Can the legendary trickster be out-tricked? (Henry Holt and Company)
Animals and their Young: How Animals Produce and Care for Their Babies
, written by Pamela Hickman, illustrated by Pat Stephens.
Ages 7-11. How to raise a wild child ... . (Kids Can Press)
Billywise, written by Judith Nicholls, illustrated by Jason Cockcroft. Ages 4-8.
A gently told tale of a baby owl who, with his mother's encouragement, dares to spread his wings and fly for the very first time. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Big Bad Wolf
, written by Claire Masurel, illustrated by Melissa Iwai. Ages 3-6.
Die-cut pages and acrylic paintings with humorous details make this tale a visual feast! (Scholastic)
Bob, written and illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson. Ages 3 - 6.
A rooster named Bob flies the coop to find his inner voice in this perfect story-time selection. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
Captain Duck
, written and illustrated by Jez Alborough. Ages 3-6.
It's trouble on the high seas for Duck and his friends! The hero of Duck in the Truck, a "quacking good read-aloud" (Publishers Weekly) is back! (HarperCollins Children's Books)
A Carnival of Animals
, written by Sid Fleischman, illustrated by Marylin Hafner. Ages 7 up. Foot-stomping fun for the entire
family in this topsy-turvy carnival of animals, each with a story bigger than the last! (Greenwillow Books)
Davey's Blue-Eyed Frog
, written by Patricia Harrison Easton, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka.
Ages 7-10. A humorous addition to the quick-growing "fractured fairy tale" genre - a retelling of "The Frog Prince" that changes everything! (Clarion Books)
Dear Mrs. LaRue
, written and illustrated by Mark Teague. Ages 5-8.
Ike can't see how wonderful obediance school really is, so he writes home to try to convince Mrs. LaRue to bring him back home. (Scholastic Press)
Down by the Cool of the Pool
, written by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. Ages 2-5. The fun is infectious so children
will delight in this rollicking farmyard romp--a musical activity that's perfect for nonstop toddlers. (Orchard Books)
Duck on a Bike
, written and illustrated by David Shannon. Ages 3 and up. A duck riding a bike? Ha!
Ducks don't ride bikes! But this one does, and he really likes it! (Scholastic)
Edward in the Jungle
, written and illustrated by David McPhail. Ages 4-8.
Edward loves to read about Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, and one afternoon he becomes so absorbed in his book that he finds himself deep in Tarzan's jungle. (Little, Brown and Company Children's Publishing)
Glory, written by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Debra Reid Jenkins.
Ages 3 to 8. With words that sing and colors that spill joy across the pages, Glory celebrates creation and the way every creature praises God. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Goose's Story
, written by Cari Best, illustrated by Holly Meade. Ages 4-8.
A heartening tale of hope and determination. (Farrar, Straus and Giroux / Melanie Kroupa Books)
Henry's Song
, written by Kathryn Cave, illustrated by Sue Hendra. Ages 3 to 8. When Henry sings for joy at the beginning of the
day, the others don't like his singing. Will they learn to live with Henry's Song? (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
Hondo and Fabian
, written Peter McCarty.
Ages 3-9. Hondo the dog has a fun day at the beach while Fabian the cat stays home. (Henry Holt and Company)
How Animals Saved the People: Animal Tales from the South
, retold by J.J. Reneaux, illustrated by James Ransome. Ages all.
Storyteller and singer J.J. Reneaux introduces readers to eight folktales with a rich Southern flavor, all illustrated by award-winning artist James Ransome. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
How Do Dinosaurs Get Well Soon?
, written by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Mark Teague.
Ages 2 and up. Tired of giving the usual flowers and cards? Here is a gift that will bring a bouquet of giggles to even the sneeziest loved one. If you were a dinosaur, how would you get well soon? (Scholastic)
If My Mom Were a Platypus: Animal Babies and their Mothers
, written by Dia L. Michels, illustrated by Andrew Barthelmes.
Ages 8 - 12. Fourteen baby mammals tell how they are born, learn and grow. Â Full of fun facts and solid science. (Platypus Media)
It's a Dog's New York
, written and illustrated by Susan L. Roth. Ages 4 to
8. A New York dog with a native accent takes his new neighbor on an imaginary canine tour of the city. (National Geographic Society)
Jasper's Day
, written by Marjorie Blain Parker, illustrated by Janet Wilson.
Ages 5 and up. A young boy's good-bye to a favorite pet. (Kids Can Press)
Lewis and Clark and Me
, written by Laurie Myers, illustrated by Michael Dooling.
Ages 8-12. One of the most extraordinary expeditions of all time told from a dog's point of view. (Henry Holt and Company)
Little Flower
, written by Gloria Rand, illustrated by R. W. Alley. Ages 4-7.
The heartwarming story of a brave little pig who becomes a hero. (Henry Holt and Company)
Look What I See! Where Can I Be? With My Animal Friends
, written by Dia L. Michels, photographed by Michael J. N. Bowles. Ages 1 - 7.
A guessing-game picture book with vibrant photographs and endearing text. Family fun discovering friendly animals in the community. (Platypus Media)
Moe McTooth, An Alley Cat's Tale
, written by Eileen Spinelli, illstrated by Linda Bronson.
Ages 3-7. An adventuresome cat and a young
woman find that "home" means friendly together-ness--a quiet, heartwarming tale about discovering one's place in the world. (Clarion Books)
Monkey Mo Goes To Sea
, written and illustrated by Diane Goode. Ages 3 and up. In this hilarious tale, a young boy and his pet
monkey are invited aboard an ocean liner as long as they are willing to behave--and of course, monkey business abounds! (Scholastic)
The Mud Flat Mystery
, written and illustrated by James Stevenson. Ages 7-10. Told in twelve short chapters, James
Stevenson's wry dialogue and spare ink illustrations make this a perfect selection for early readers and animal story lovers. (HarperTrophy)
Mole and the Baby Bird
, written by Marjorie Newman, illustrated by Patrick Benson.
Age 4-8. Mole cares for an injured baby bird and wants to keep it forever, but Grandpa shows him that loving the bird means setting it free. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
My Favorite Bear
, written and illustrated by Andrea Gabriel.
Ages 3-7. A mother bear puts her cub to bed with a story of bears from around the world. (Charlesbridge)
Mystic Horse
, written and illustrated by Paul Goble.
Ages all. From the Caldecott Medal-winning author of The Girl Who Loved Wild Horses comes the tale of an abandoned horse and the boy who loves him. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
The Obvious Elephant
, written by Bruce Robinson, illustrated by Sophie Windham. Ages 4-8.
A friendship tale rich in illustration and dynamic storytelling...this is one elephant you will never forget! (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Ocean Life, written by Brenda Z. Guiberson. Ages 7-8.
This series was created especially to bring exciting nonfiction to beginning readers. (Scholastic Reference)
The Perfect Pet
, written by Margie Palatini, illustrated by Bruce Whatley. Ages 4-7.
Elizabeth really wants a pet. Her parents really do not. Here is a hilarious quest for a girl's best friend! (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Phantom Stallion #1: The Wild One
, written by Terri Farley.
Ages 10 up. The classic theme of a girl and her horse is set against a backdrop of mustangs, tumbleweeds, and a West that's still wild. (Avon, HarperCollins Children's Books)
Pipaluk and the Whales
, written and illustrated by John Himmelman.
Ages: 4 to 8. A young girl in the Russian Arctic inventively saves the lives of thousands of trapped whales. Based on a true story. (National Geographic Society)
Porcupining; A Prickly Love Story
, written by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Janie Bynum.
Ages 4-12. After a series of rejections, a lonely porcupine finds true love with a prickly hedgehog. (Little, Brown and Co. Children's Publishing)
Princess Aasta
, written and illustrated by Stina Langlo Ørdal.
Ages 4-8. An irresistible friendship story between a princess and a polar bear who explore her kingdom, the North Pole, and even win over the doubtful King. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Sandbear, written by Shen Roddie, illustrated by Jenny Jones. Ages 4-8.
A summery story about Hare and the Sandbear who teaches him the true meaning of friendship and the importance of a job well done. (Bloomsbury Children's Books)
Snake's Tales
, written by Marguerite W. Davol, illustrated by Yumi Heo.
Ages 5-9. Told in the always-popular tradition of the Brothers Grimm. (Orchard Books)
The Stolen Sun
, written and illustrated by Amanda Hall. Ages 4 and up. This original story, woven from Native Alaskan
folklore, tells how Raven's son, LittleDarkness, brings light and Raven's song back to the world. (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers)
The Three Question
, written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth. Ages 6-9. Nikolai wants to be the best person he can be, but is
often unsure if he is doing the right thing. So he goes to ask Leo, the wise turtle. (Scholastic Press)
The Tiger's Apprentice
, written by Laurence Yep.
Ages 10 up. Can a boy, a tiger, a dragon, and a monkey save the world? An action-packed fantasy from two-time Newbery Honor author Laurence Yep. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
Warriors #1: Into the Wild
, written by Erin Hunter. Ages 10 up.
Epic fantasy themes, heroic animal characters, and a thrillingly detailed secret world of wild cats form the essence of this gripping new series. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
What the Animals Were Waiting For
, written by Jonathan London, illustrated by Paul Morin.
Ages 4-8. In simple, stirring verse, this stunningly illustrated picture book tells the story of the dramatic cycles of life on the Masai Mara range in Africa--one of the last great, wild places on Earth. (Scholastic Press)
Zigby Camps Out
, written and illustrated by Brian Paterson.
Ages: 2-5. Follow the winding stream to the edge of the jungle and meet Zigby, the zebra who trots into trouble! The first book in a new series. (HarperCollins Children's Books)
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