If your child loves animals, these heart-warming tales will be sure to move and inspire them.
The Creature Choir by David Walliams, illustrated by Tony Ross
Perfect for readers aged 3+
Warble the walrus LOVES to sing.
Unfortunately, she is not very good at it! And when her atrocious warbling causes an avalanche, the other walruses leave her all alone.
But when you SING like no-one is listening, SOMETIMES, they start to hear you…
The Creature Choir is out now.
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton
Perfect for readers aged 5+
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together.
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea is out now.
Einstein the Penguin by Iona Rangeley
Perfect for readers aged 7+
When the Stewarts spend a sunny, frosty December day at London Zoo, they’re enchanted by one small penguin. At the delight of young Imogen and Arthur, Mrs Stewart insists the penguin “must come and stay with them whenever he likes.”
But not one Stewart expects the penguin to turn up at their door that evening, rucksack labelled “Einstein” on his back…
Einstein the Penguin is out now.
The Last Bear by Hannah Gold
Perfect for readers aged 8+
There are no polar bears left on Bear Island. At least, that’s what April’s father tells her when his scientific research takes them to this remote Arctic outpost for six months. But one endless summer night, April meets one. He is starving, lonely and a long way from home. Determined to save him, April begins the most important journey of her life…
The Last Bear is a celebration of the love between a child and an animal, a battle cry for our world and an irresistible adventure with a heart as big as a bear’s.
The Last Bear is out now.
Otters’ Moon by Susanna Bailey
Perfect for readers aged 9+
Luke hates his life. His dad is busy with a shiny replacement family and his mum has insisted they spend their holiday on a remote Scottish island.
Then Luke meets Meg, who lives with her grandfather in a boarded-up boat house on the beach. And when together they rescue an otter pup that they name Willow, a chink of light appears in Luke’s dark and lonely days.
But danger lurks behind the beauty of Puffin Bay – and soon Luke must depend upon Willow for his very survival …
Otters’ Moon is out now.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Perfect for readers aged 9+
Inspired by a true story, this is the beautifully written tale of how a mighty gorilla wins his freedom. A winning blend of humour and poignancy, perfect for fans of Michael Morpurgo.
Ivan is an easy-going gorilla who has spent his life performing for the crowds at the Exit 8 shopping mall. He rarely misses life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly thinks about it at all. But everything changes when a baby elephant called Ruby arrives and Ivan realises he must find a new life for them both.
The One and Only Ivan is out now.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
Perfect for readers aged 9+
A classic children’s novel from the nation’s favourite storyteller, Michael Morpurgo.
In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has the seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story.
War Horse is out now.
Rescuing Rosie by Jean Ure
Perfect for readers aged 9+
Eleven-year-old best friends, Hannah and Katy LOVE animals. Every weekend, they learn to ride at Mrs Foster’s Riding School, where they meet a loveable horse named Rosie.
Rosie isn’t able to ride like the other horses, and when Mrs Foster cannot afford to keep her, she is sent to another Riding School. But Farley Downs is no ordinary Riding School, and the owner mistreats Rosie, forcing her to gallop when she isn’t able. Hannah and Katy want desperately to save the horse, but to do that, they will need to raise more money than either of them have ever had.
Rescuing Rosie is out now.
