As a painfully shy child, I found friendship, adventure, and ultimately my own voice reading about—and spending time with—animals. Animals felt safer to talk to than people. They didn’t judge, didn’t expect anything from me, and I never had to worry about what to say. They gave me the gift of their presence and time to practice communication—gifts that ultimately led me to obtain a master’s degree in counseling and work as a children’s grief counselor. I’m happy to report that I overcame my extreme shyness. But there's no denying the role that animals have played in my life. By sharing this list I hope to help other kids find that same comfort and inspiration.
Charlotte’s Web is not only one of my most favorite and beloved books, but it was my first introduction to death and grief.
As a young girl who had yet to experience the loss of a loved one, the death of kindhearted Charlotte caused intense feelings in my young heart. I processed those feelings along with Wilbur and the characters I had grown to love, as my parents read the book to me.
Charlotte’s Web was also the first book I reached for to help my own kids process big feelings and concepts like grief, loneliness, and what it means to leave a legacy. Charlotte’s Web is a timeless story that will stay with children long into adulthood.
Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child.
On foggy mornings, Charlotte's web was truly a thing of beauty . Even Lurvy, who wasn't particularly interested in beauty, noticed the web when he came with the pig's breakfast. And then he took another look and he saw something that made him set his pail down. There, in the centre of the web, neatly woven in block letters, was a message. It said: SOME PIG!
This is the story of a little girl named Fern, who loves a little pig named Wilbur - and of Wilbur's dear friend,…
Another one of my favorite books from childhood is Winnie-the-Pooh.
As a child, I loved the silliness of the characters in The Hundred Acre Wood. But little did I know, I was also learning valuable life lessons and developing emotional intelligence as I played with Winnie-the-Pooh and friends in my imagination.
From Piglet’s anxiety to Eeyore’s pessimistic melancholy to Pooh’s playful wonder, kids can find glimpses of themselves and their moods within The Hundred Acre Wood. Reading this classic with children provides a fun and nonthreatening way to talk about, and identify, big feelings.
An award-winning production, with an all-star cast including Stephen Fry and Judi Dench, brings to life one of the best-loved children's books of all time.
Packed full of fun and adventure with Winnie-the-Pooh and all his friends in the Hundred Acre Forest. This is a wonderful dramatisation of Winnie-the-Pooh with original music. This captivating adaptation conveys all the magic and humour of AA Milne's classic stories.
The cast includes the following stars:
Pooh - Stephen Fry Piglet - Jane Horrocks Eeyore - Geoffrey Palmer Kanga (and Narrator) - Judi Dench Roo - Finty Williams Rabbit - Robert Daws Owl -…
Eleven-year-old Mira wishes everything could go back to the way it was. Before she changed schools and had to quit gymnastics. Especially before Papa died. Now she spends her days cooking and cleaning for her stepsisters and Val—who she still won’t call mom and still won’t forgive for the terrible…
I remember several birthdays wishing for a best friend like Frog and Toad as I blew out the candles on my cake.
The amphibian friends provide a wonderful example and picture of friendship, and beautifully illustrate concepts such as loyalty, respect, acceptance, and thoughtfulness through their touching and often laugh-out-loud antics. The books are heartwarming, engaging, and can be enjoyed by children (and adults) of all ages.
I’m happy to say that I eventually found my Frog—and have tried my best to be a good Toad in return.
This beautiful commemorative picture book edition of the Caldecott Honor title Frog and Toad Are Friends is the perfect way to celebrate Frog and Toad's 50th anniversary!
This handsome edition features matte paper, remastered artwork, and a green ribbon book marker. It makes a lovely gift for collectors, fans of children's literature, and anyone and everyone who loves Frog and Toad!
First published in 1970, Frog and Toad Are Friends was the first of the four beloved Frog and Toad books. This special edition contains all of the original stories-from the story about going swimming, to finding lost buttons!
C. S. Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is a captivating tale of adventure and wonder that has had generations of children—myself included— imagining themselves in Narnia right beside Lucy, Edmund, and Aslan.
It presents big concepts like good versus evil, personal sacrifice, betrayal, forgiveness, and redemption in an engaging and whimsical way, inviting children to consider deep spiritual matters while exploring the land and creatures of Narnia.
With talking animals, magical creatures, and four children having the adventure of their lives, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe offers something for everyone in the family.
Lucy steps into the Professor's wardrobe - but steps out again into a snowy forest. She's stumbled upon the magical world of Narnia, land of unicorns, centaurs, fauns... and the wicked White Witch, who terrorises all. Lucy soon realises that Narnia, and in particular Aslan, the great Lion, needs her help if the country's creatures are ever going to be free again...
Eleven-year-old Sierra just wants a normal life. After her military mother returns from the war overseas, the two hop from home to homelessness while Sierra tries to help her mom through the throes of PTSD.
The Incredible Journey is the first book I remember staying up past bedtime—with my Strawberry Shortcake flashlight—to read.
It is a timeless story of adventure that highlights the bond between three animals as they struggle to find their way home. A Siamese cat, an old dog, and an energetic retriever have to work together to overcome obstacles and survive dire and dangerous situations.
The Incredible Journey is a wonderful book to help children develop an appreciation for animals, sweep them into an adventure, and help them understand themselves a little better along the way.
Fans of Old Yeller, Where the Red Fern Grows, and Shiloh will love this timeless classic about two dogs and a cat that embark on a journey to return to their owner and inspired the movie Homeward Bound.
An inquisitive Labrador retriever, friendly bull terrier, and courageous Siamese cat set out through the Canadian wilderness to find their owner in this truly “incredible” adventure. Instinct tells them that the way home lies to the west and together the three house pets face hunger, the natural elements, and wild forest animals as they make their way home to the family they…
Kids love animals! Pawverbs for Kids is jam-packed with 30 true-to-life short stories, or pawverbs. Each of these charming stories features kids and animals—and what a variety of animals there are: dogs, cats, frogs, birds, horses... even a bearded dragon and a grasshopper! Each story illustrates a biblical principle or lesson found in the Bible book of Proverbs. This book presents biblical truth in a whimsical way and invites kids to explore deep spiritual truth alongside extremely lovable pets!
In this book, children will not only find inspiring and heartwarming animal tales, but spiritual truths to touch their hearts and remind them of God’s unfailing love, wisdom, and grace.
Did you know that leatherback turtles can weigh up to 2,000 pounds? Or that the Florida softshell turtle can breathe through its snout and its skin? Turtles have been around for millions of years, and we’re still learning more about them!
With simple language and vivid photographs, Totally Turtles! is…
Serendipity is a magical story told by a grandmother to a granddaughter, introducing us to the traditional way of living of the Scottish Travellers and their Cant language.
A fantasy tale for children of 8 years old and older inspired by three real places in Scotland. Serendipity takes us to…
