I love books - all kinds of books, but of course, I particularly adore books about animals, as long as the animals are treated kindly. Fictional animals are some of my favorite friends, such as the penguins of Mr. Popper, or the characters in Wind in the Willows, and who doesn't wonder where Stuart Little and Margalo end up?
But, I was recently thinking about books to share on my blog and wanted to focus on some real animals. There are a number of amazing animals that have been featured in picture books. This is not a complete list, but I hope you find a book and an animal (or two) that inspire you. Books and animals make the world a better place!!!!
THANK YOU to our local library {Forest Hills Library in Queens Library System] (and to all libraries). A lot of libraries need help, so if you can, donate to your local library to support everyone in having books.
Animal Friendships with Humans
Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear - Lindsay Mattick, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
Yes, THAT Winnie - A. A. Milne was inspired by his son't beloved toys, but the name of Winnie-the-Pooh came from the Winnie in the zoo. The Winnie bear who was saved and who helped Harry Colebourn while he served in World War I.
The Elephants Come Home: A True Story of Seven Elephants, Two People, and One Extraordinary Friendship - Kim Tomsic, Illustrated by Hadley Hooper
Nowadays people are much more aware of the fact that elephants, although strong, should not be used, abused and mistreated in service to humans. This book tells of a herd that is loved and welcomed into Thula Thula, an elephant sanctuary. Elephants are deeply emotional, and they connect to people in incredible ways.
The Old Man and the Penguin: A True Story of True Friendship - Julie Abery and Pierre Pratt
Oil spills are terribly destructive to wildlife and they are one of the worst things to happen to sea life. But, this is a tale of hope! A friendship of human and penguin in Brazil reminds us how important it is to connect with everything, while respecting the wild.
Railway Jack: The True Story of an Amazing Baboon - KT Johnston, illustrated by César Samaniego
Service animals are common today and can be an incredible bond between a human and an animal; therapy horses, guide dogs and more. Jack is a brilliant baboon who helps Jim, and what's most interesting to me is that this story happened over 100 years ago! The bonds between animals and humans are ancient and important, as long as it's the best choice for all involved.
Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog - Pamela S. Turner, illustrated by Yan Nascimbene
You may have heard of this dog; there's a movie, and other books, but I wanted to include this story because this bittersweet story reminds us how connected we are. Humans are animals, and we need to love and respect our animal family.
Hachiko statue in Japan
Lost and Found Cat: The True Story of Kunkush's Incredible Journey - Doug Kuntz & Amy Shrodes - illustrated by Sue Cornelison
Animals are amazing and Kunkush's story shows the power of animal love and family.
May we all help animals that come into our lives in whatever ways we can.
The World's Loneliest Elephant: Based on the True Story of Kaavan and his Rescue - Ralph Fletcher, illustrated by Naoko Stoop
Sadly, humans have a history of using animals and Kaavan, like many elephants was in a sad situation. Though this story has a happy ending, and I am grateful to the wonderful sanctuaries around the world, I hope that as we learn more about animals like Kaavan, that we as humans can make choices not to put animals in harmful situations in the first place.
Friendships Between Animals
Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator - Emma Bland Smith, illustrated by Jennifer M. Potter
This beautiful book tells of an alligator who is rescued; albino alligators are rare and seldom survive in the wild. Who will be his friend? Read the book to find out!
This book also points out the importance of conservation efforts, something I care deeply about.
Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival - Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery, illustrated by Jean Cassels
"Bobbi and Bob Cat survived Hurricane Katrina. They did it by lending each other a paw."
Whenever there are natural disasters, animals are impacted in all sorts of ways. If you start to pay attention, you can hear about rescue organizations that help animals after fires, hurricanes, earthquakes or anything that affects habitat loss.
Lenore Finds a Friend: A True Story from Bedlam Farm - Jon Katz
Using photographs of these two beautiful animals, we see inter-species friendship. Dogs and sheep often spend time together, but this pair has unique interactions that are charming to read about.
Owen & Mzee: The True Story or a Remarkable Friendship - Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu, with photographs by Peter Greste
Two huge animals, a hippo and an Aladabra tortoise find each other. Both were rescued from precarious situations and their kindness to each other helps them heal and find peace in their new home. Mzee (pronounced mm-Zay) means "older" in Swahili and seems a perfect name for a tortoise, since this species can live to be 130 years old!
Animals in the Wild
Yoshi's Big Swim: One Turtle's Epic Journey Home - Mary Wagley Copp, illustrated by Kaja Kajfež (beautiful illustrations)
Yoshi, Sea Turtle Genius: A True Story About an Amazing Swimmer - Lynne Cox, illustrated by Richard Jones (richer content)
People love animals - it's evident in how we celebrate the survival and beauty of the wild world. Often a newspaper article or photo catches people's attention and a story is shared, such is the case with Yoshi. I hope that books like these, celebrating one animal's journey, remind us of ALL the sea turtle babies that deserve a good life. If you live near a nesting ground, you can volunteer, or you can donate.
Little Narwhal, Not Alone - Tiffany Stone, illustrated by Ashlyn Anstee
The story continues in real life. The baby narwhal who found a family among belugas is now old enough to maybe have a baby, creating a narluga! This sweet picture book focuses on the narwhal calf finding its way.
The Chiru of High Tibet: A True Story - Jacqueline Briggs Martin, illustrated by Linda Wingerter
Thanks to George Schaller and others, the chiru are now protected. The illustrations and information in this book are beautiful and show what a difference we can make, if we work for animals. From the book, "The trekkers' accounts of their trip have been carefully vague about the exact location of the 'secret place to help the chiru stay hidden." We can all do our part.
Inky's Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found his Way Home - Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford
Never underestimate an octopus (or a pig - they're brilliant, too!)
As you may know, I am a BIG fan of Sy Montgomery and this book is adorable. Inky was in the news for his escape, and Sy's voice helps us understand Inky's personality.
Bonus Entry!(s)
Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic - Mônica Carnesi
Animal rescue is always worth celebrating and although no one knows (other than Baltic himself,) how he became stranded, I think celebrating positive animal rescue reminds us all to reach out.
Trio: The Tale of a Three-legged Cat - Andrea Wisnewski
The illustrations invite us into Trio's world, making friends with chickens and living life as a three-legged cat. Although based on a real cat, this book is somewhat fictionalized, but it is charming and hopeful and worth reading.
Clever Hans: The True Story of the Counting, Adding and Time-telling horse - Kerri Kokias, illustrated by Mike Lowery
The "Clever Hans Effect" refers to this remarkable horse. As humans understood Hans's way of interacting with science, it provided an important aspect of how research can be conducted. Our body language influences how people AND animals respond to us!
There are SO many more remarkable animals, some of whom have been celebrated in books, but I hope that this collection inspires you to share books with those you love as a way to advocate for animals.
Wow, these are some amazing books! Thank you for sharing about them. I was really surprised to learn that Winnie the Pooh got his name from a real bear!! Other books that stood out to me in particular are: Owen & Mzee (so cute!); Little Narwahl, Not Alone (I love the idea of a "narluga"); The Chiru of High Tibet (love the picture!); and Clever Hans (this just sounds really intriguing)--and reminds me of a documentary I heard about on the radio recently, "The Cowboy and the Queen." It's about Monty Roberts, a non-violent horse trainer (nicknamed the "horse whisperer"), and his beautiful friendship with Queen Elizabeth. Thank you for this inspiring post!!