The most recommended Anthrozoology books

The book and the original 1968 movie are worthwhile experiences that examine our society, our treatment of animals, and our treatment of each other by creating a planet in which the roles of humans and apes are swapped. The screenplay was written by Oscar-winner Michael Wilson and Emmy-winner Rod Serling and adds a legendary ending that was the talk of the neighborhood kids when I was growing up. It created a powerful symbol of mankind’s possible eventual destruction that stayed with me over the years.

The 2001 remake of the movie stayed fairly true to the original movie but was a bit slow because of its many side stories. The second remake in 2011 had amazing special effects but made the disturbing point that humans have become a destructive society that must be abolished by the apes. While the original message was to treat animals and each other better, the… show more.

I loved everything about this novel: the elements of surprise, the family dynamics, the character development, and the more significant issues—trauma, childhood, envy, animal cruelty, and activism.

In the first page, we learn that the narrator lost both her brother and her sister, so we suppose the novel will be about this double tragedy. It was admirable that the narrator didn’t tell us for so long that her sister was a chimp. I probably wouldn’t have cared as much if I had known earlier, as I never had a pet and never gave much thought to animals. By tricking me, Fowler created empathy and made me care for an animal.

This novel has a deep impact, but it is done in a light way. Fowler is funny, caustic, and witty. She manages to speak of deep issues in a hilarious way—a very moving, funny, absorbing novel.

Although this book is aimed at slightly younger readers, I’d be remiss not to mention it – this book is such a valuable read for both kids and adults alike.

Another book that deals with processing grief and the terrible weight of guilt through magic and nature. Of the dual points of view, one is a fox, the main character’s dead sibling reborn, giving this book a tender, poignant throughline.

This is my favorite dog novel that I’ve ever read. I keep buying new copies and lending them to friends who apparently enjoy the book as well, since the books continue to circulate around. The story is a simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking tale about a family who breeds their own unique mélange of dogs and strives to keep them alive through a son who is mute but has a special method of communicating with dogs. 

My kids and I loved this heartwarming story about a little girl, Madeleine, and Bonnie, the library dog who loves being read to. We were rooting for Madeleine to read to her new kind and patient dog friend! The kids mentioned how much they wanted to meet Bonnie and read to her, and wondered if our local library has events with reading dogs. They also wanted an immediate re-read. (Of course, my family likes books with adorable cuddly dogs in general.)

A generation or so after The Calamitous Event (TCE), our hero’s dog is stolen by an unexpected visitor to their remote home in the Outer Hebrides. This book is my definition of a cracking good read. It has adventure, surprises, and insights into the human condition that led to TCE in the first place. Above all, it features a boy and his overwhelming mission - to get his dog back. If, like me, you love dogs you are going to love this book.

I love Stay because it is about a dog and a serious topic that affects a lot of families-homelessness.

The book is narrated by a young girl named Piper whose family has fallen on hard times. Piper lives in a homeless shelter with her mom, dad, and younger brother.

The other narrator is a little dog called Baby. Baby lives with his person, Jewel in a nearby park since the shelter doesn’t allow pets. When Jewel develops pneumonia and is hospitalized, it’s up to Piper to save Baby and help Jewel get back on her feet.

With a killer of a first sentence, this novel clenched me by the throat and wouldn’t let go.

The main character, Inti, a biologist with a rare neurological understanding of touch, sets out with three colleagues to rewild northern Scotland by reintroducing fourteen wolves into the environment. Once lush with woodlands providing cover and sustenance for native wildlife, the hills are now bare and tame.

Though a naturalist at heart, I didn’t fully realize the importance of Alpha predators to the environment. As Inti struggles to win over the local sheep farmers while protecting the wolves (and one breeding pair I came to root for), threats to her and the wolves are leveled. I feared for both as she tries to convince the locals that rewilding Scotland can be accomplished to the benefit of all. Then, in contrast to the prevailing animosity, she realizes a surprising, forbidden love. 

In a story as mournful as a country song, a homeless big black dog resolves to lie down and never get up again. But he does find happiness, although it takes several tries. Themes of disappointment, loneliness, sorrow, yearning, and love are interwoven in the poetic text. As a bonus, Orville gleans people’s dearest wishes just by sniffing them. Watercolor and ink illustrations illuminate this poignant and powerful bond between a dog and his person.

I grew up loving animation and was captivated by how putting drawings together could create an illusion of life.

This wordless picture book somehow captures that awe with its interactive tabs. By flipping the tabs throughout the book, the characters move and feel like they are being animated.

I love that the story is a dance between Flora and her flamingo friend, literally and figuratively, as they have a disagreement. Everything about this book is well thought out—the interactive mechanisms really enhance the story. Additionally, the drawings are just so beautiful.  It’s simply fantastic!