Why the Wild Things are

By Gail F. Melson,

Book cover of Why the Wild Things are: Animals in the Lives of Children

Book description

Whether they see themselves as King of the Wild Things or protector of Toto, children live in a world filled with animals - both real and imaginary. From Black Beauty to Barney, animal characters romp through children's books, cartoons, videos, and computer games. As Gail Melson tells us, more than…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Why the Wild Things are as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Melson's highly original work has been a towering influence on my thinking about how children, who naturally gravitate to animals, learn to repress this deep connection as they grow into adults, oblivious (or resigned) to the systems implicated in the production of meat and other animal products.

I appreciate her detailed study of the process that brings about this "shift" and how it manifests as an explosion of animal-themed toys, games, films, and other cultural products, even as contact with real animals is all but lost to today's young people.

As a former 4-H kid, I especially respect and relate…

If you love Why the Wild Things are...

Ad

Book cover of Being Your Cat: What's really going on in your feline's mind

Being Your Cat By Celia Haddon, Daniel Mills,

Being Your Cat takes you inside the mind and body of your feline. See what your cat sees. Feel how your cat runs or leaps high to get into the armchair. Discover how your cat feels and thinks.

What is it like to be rescued and put in a cat…

Want books like Why the Wild Things are?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Why the Wild Things are.

Browse books like Why the Wild Things are

Book cover of The Solutionary Way: Transform Your Life, Your Community, and the World for the Better
Book cover of Dominion: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy
Book cover of The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,590

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in pets, animals, and presidential biography?

Pets 56 books
Animals 234 books