The most recommended books about mammals

Who picked these books? Meet our 16 experts.

16 authors created a book list connected to mammals, and here are their favorite mammal books.
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Book cover of Scale: The Universal Laws of Life, Growth, and Death in Organisms, Cities, and Companies

Jono Hey Author Of Big Ideas, Little Pictures: Explaining the world one sketch at a time

From my list on changing how you look at the world and yourself.

Why am I passionate about this?

I draw and write the Sketchplanations newsletter, in which I'm slowly explaining the world, one sketch at a time. In it, I blend my training as a designer and entrepreneur, what I learned in my PhD at UC Berkeley, and my amateur love of sketching, and I try to share my personal lightbulb moments through simple sketches. I'm constantly looking for ideas that change how I look at the world and myself. The books here are some of those that have given me the most valuable ideas I want to share and entertained me along the way.

Jono's book list on changing how you look at the world and yourself

Jono Hey Why did Jono love this book?

Geoffrey West does a remarkable thing in this book; he brings his training as a theoretical physicist to problems of biology, global sustainability, and the economics of our cities. He shows the power of mathematics to illuminate remarkable facts about fundamental questions like "Is there a limit to how long animals can live?", "How big can animals get?" and even "Why do cities last so long?"

I learned how the square-cube law explains why you couldn't have a real-life Godzilla, that all mammals share roughly the same amount of heartbeats, and about branching patterns in our lungs, rivers, and trees. Fascinating.

By Geoffrey West,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Scale as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"This is science writing as wonder and as inspiration." ā€”The Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal

From one of the most influential scientists of our time, a dazzling exploration of the hidden laws that govern the life cycle of everything from plants and animals to the cities we live in.

Visionary physicist Geoffrey West is a pioneer in the field of complexity science, the science of emergent systems and networks. The term ā€œcomplexityā€ can be misleading, however, because what makes Westā€™s discoveries so beautiful is that he has found an underlying simplicity that unites the seemingly complex and diverse phenomenaā€¦


Book cover of Purple Coyote

Neil Baldwin Author Of Martha Graham: When Dance Became Modern

From Neil's 6-year-old's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Scholar Storyteller Idealist Ice-skater Poet

Neil's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Plus, Neil's 6-year-old's favorite books.

Neil Baldwin Why did Neil's 6-year-old love this book?

I have read this book to my grandson at least ten times and now he reads it by himself.

He loves it because it is relatable (main character besides the Coyote is a little boy), funny (the convoluted conversations between the two), and most of all, tricky (thereā€™s a pervasive unanswered question that, when finally answered, causes some very strange things to happen).

By Cornette,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Purple Coyote as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

One day, a purple coyote appeared on the hill. A coyote unlike any other. A purple coyote.

Jim's never seen a purple coyote before, and he's determined to find out how the creature got his unusual color. But the coyote isn't saying. It's a big secret. So is the reason why the coyote howls a strange howl and dances a strange dance. Jim is stumped, and the more he questions the coyote, the more frustrated he becomes. Then one day the secret is revealed . . . .


Book cover of Beavers

Janet Lawler Author Of Walrus Song

From my list on interesting animals.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am an award-winning childrenā€™s author who has always been fascinated by the natural world. My many published childrenā€™s books include ones about animals and ocean life. Scholastic Book Clubs and the Childrenā€™s Book of the Month Club have featured my work, and translations of my fiction and nonfiction titles can be found in several languages, including Spanish, Japanese, and Hebrew. My National Geographic title Ocean Counting was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book by the National Science Teachers Association and Walrus Song has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.

Janet's book list on interesting animals

Janet Lawler Why did Janet love this book?

In a Magic-School-Bus sort of way, Gail Gibbons presents a ton of information in this book about beavers and their families. The main storyline text is supplemented by multiple ā€œfactoidā€ insets and side-view illustrations. The sum total is a book that matches this mammalā€™s personalityā€”busy and fascinating!  We see beavers and their world, above and below the waterline of the ponds they inhabit and the streams they dam up to create them. I learned exactly how a beaver den is constructed, and what the cozy inside of one looks like (thanks to a great cross-section illustration).

By Gail Gibbons,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Beavers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Beavers are fascinating animals. They build their own homes and live in family groups. They keep busy with their sharp teeth, powerful tails, and big webbed feet. Their work helps to preserve wetlands. Gibbons explores where they live, what they eat, how they raise their young, and much more.


Book cover of Scholastic True or False: Mammals

Laura Hulbert Author Of Who Has These Feet?

From my list on animal adaptations for young readers.

Why am I passionate about this?

When I was a child, I saw a grasshopper doing the sidestroke in the ocean and it sparked my interest in animal behavior. Though I still donā€™t know if all grasshoppers do the sidestroke, Iā€™ve learned a lot about animal adaptations since then. And Iā€™ve learned a lot about what motivates young readers from my years as a reading specialist and a classroom teacher. Iā€™ve put that knowledge to work in my two popular books: Who Has These Feet? and Who Has This Tail?

Laura's book list on animal adaptations for young readers

Laura Hulbert Why did Laura love this book?

The ā€œtest your knowledgeā€ format of this book is appealing to a wide age range of youngsters. A simple question like ā€œAll mammals eat meat. TRUE or FALSE?ā€ is followed by a one word answer (FALSE) and then a one sentence answer in large font: Cows and many other mammals usually eat plants. The subsequent paragraph goes into more detail about the topic. In this case, it explains how the shape of an animalā€™s teeth provides a clue to its diet. Full disclosure: Many kids who peruse the book on their own skip over the paragraphs. Captivating photos of animals in nature abound.

By Melvin Berger, Gilda Berger,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Scholastic True or False as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is this book about?

Fun, photographic nonfiction at its best! True or False? You decide!

Letā€™s face it, kids love to ask and answer questions, which is why the Scholastic True or False series is packed full of fun questions like "Do all mammals live on land?" and "Is the mouse the smallest mammal?" Kids will read the question on the right-hand page and then flip it over to find out the answer. Itā€™s the truth--the Scholastic True or False series is a hit!


Book cover of The Rise and Reign of the Mammals: A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us

Matthew J. Sharps Author Of The Forensic View

From Matthew's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Matthew's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Matthew J. Sharps Why did Matthew love this book?

Excellent overall treatment of the world between the end of the dinosaurs and the beginning of the human species. Fine evocation of the contexts of evolution and of the creatures that faced the variety of demands presented by the natural world through time.

By Steve Brusatte,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Rise and Reign of the Mammals as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Steve Brusatte, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs, brings mammals out from the shadow of their more showy predecessors in a beautifully written book that . . . makes the case for them as creatures who are just as engaging as dinosaurs.' - The Sunday Times, 'Best Books For Summer'

The passing of the age of the dinosaurs allowed mammals to become ascendant. But mammals have a much deeper history. They - or, more precisely, we - originated around the same time as the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago; mammal roots lie even further back,ā€¦


Book cover of The Mammals of Australia

Danielle Clode Author Of Killers In Eden: The True Story of Killer Whales and their Remarkable Partnership with the Whalers of Twofold Bay

From my list on Australian animals.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve always had a passion for animals since I was nine years old and wrote my first ā€˜bookā€™ on animals for a school library competition. I went on to study animal behavior at university and complete a doctorate in conservation biology and seabirds in the Scottish Outer Hebrides. Iā€™ve worked in zoos and museums, written twelve books on animals as various as killer whales and koalas, extinct megafauna, and marine reptiles. Learning more about the natural world, the people who study it, and the importance of protecting it, has been the driving force behind all of my books and a joy to share with readers. 

Danielle's book list on Australian animals

Danielle Clode Why did Danielle love this book?

The Mammals of Australia is one of the go-to books on my bookshelf. It covers all the mammals in Australia with great pictures, maps, simple summaries, and readable and interesting facts. When it was published, it summarized all the latest information in one place and has been an invaluable reference ever since. Every time I pick it up I find myself reading about some other fascinating species as well as the one I was looking up.

It covers everything from koalas and quolls to dugongs and dingoes, to monotremes and marsupial moles. It covers bats and seals and introduced mammals (although not whales). I wish I had a book like this for every major taxonomic group. 

By Ronald Strahan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Mammals of Australia as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Written in a style readily understood by the general reader, this book surveys the rich and varied world of Australian mammals, including such creatures as koalas, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, dingos, and wombats. Because of the continent's isolation, Australian mammals have developed as no where else on earth. The native fauna is composed largely of marsupials (pouched mammals) and monotremes (egg-laying mammals).
A magnificent photographic record, this book provides an account of every native species as well as introduced species now living in a wild state. Each species account summarizes behavior and habitat, diet, reproduction and growth, and factors that leadā€¦


Book cover of Amos & Boris

Emily Butler Author Of Otto P. Nudd

From my list on animals who become true blue friends.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m the eldest of seven children and didnā€™t grow up with pets because frankly, it was chaotic enough with that many people in the house. And yet I always had a penchant for looking at an animal and imagining what it was thinking to itself. I assumed that every creature had an inner life that was as colorful and varied as my own. Animal fables were as plausible to me as stories about humans. Now I love writing books with talking animals, because once your furry or feathery protagonist opens their mouth and starts talking, anything goes!

Emily's book list on animals who become true blue friends

Emily Butler Why did Emily love this book?

Of course fate could bring a whale and a mouse together, their bond of friendship lasting for the rest of their lives! In his matter-of-fact yet sparkling and stylish way, William Steig always made the fantastical seem unremarkable. I have given this book to at least five friends. Its quirky and gorgeous illustrations (by Steig, who was also a brilliant cartoonist) are as vital to the story as the words. Amos & Boris is just one of those books that does not condescend to young readers and is therefore as appealing to adults as children. I recommend it because Steig understood that kids can handle the deepest of deep life-and-death stories, and if those stories happen to feature animals, well...all the better!

By William Steig,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Amos & Boris as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 5, 6, 7, and 8.

What is this book about?

Amos the mouse and Boris the whale are friends who have very little in common. Boris rescues Amos, who has set out to sail the seas - but might there be a time when Boris needs rescuing too?

An awardwinning fable and New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year from classic creator, William Steig.


Book cover of Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider

Hayley Rocco Author Of Hello, I'm a Sloth

From my list on picture books about animals for young readers.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve been in love with animals my whole life. I loved them so much in fact, that I wished to become one, whether it was a sea otter, wild horse, or a dolphin. Today, Iā€™m fortunate enough to not only write about animals, but I also advocate for their protection as an ambassador for Wild Tomorrow and Defenders of Wildlife. As co-founder of the Childrenā€™s Book Creators for Conservation, I help other childrenā€™s book writers and illustrators connect with conservation stories in the field. I hope youā€™re as inspired by these books as I am!

Hayley's book list on picture books about animals for young readers

Hayley Rocco Why did Hayley love this book?

I wish I could singlehandedly scrub away the fear humans have of spiders. Alas, that is not possible, but youā€™ll think twice about killing a spider after reading this book. This stunningly illustrated picture book invites readers into the fascinating world of (arguably) one of the cutest arachnids around, the jumping spider.

ā€œWhat if you were very small?... What would your world be like?ā€ Immediately, you are transported into the mind of a jumping spider, how they navigate their world, and what makes them so important to their ecosystem. This book is a must-read for anyone curious to learn more about these incredible little creatures and the smaller world right in our own backyard. 

By Jessica Lanan,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Jumper as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

What if you were small as a bean,
and could walk on the walls and ceiling,
sense vibrations through your elbows,
and jump five times your body length?

That is Jumper's world.

This beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book explores the tiny, secret world of backyard jumping spiders, with robust back matter sure to delight young readers and educators alike. Perfect for fans of Katherine Roy, Candace Fleming and Eric Rohman, and Jason Chin.


Book cover of The Status Seekers

Loretta Graziano Breuning Author Of Status Games: Why We Play and How to Stop

From my list on status anxiety.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up around a lot of suffering over status. I didnā€™t want to suffer, so I kept trying to understand why everyone plays a game that they insist they donā€™t want to play. I found my answer when I studied evolutionary psychology. This answer really hit home when I watched David Attenboroughā€™s wildlife documentaries. I saw the social rivalry among our mammalian ancestors, and it motivated me to research the biology behind it. I took early retirement from a career as a Professor of Management and started writing books about the brain chemistry we share with earlier mammals. Iā€™m so glad I found my power over my inner mammal!

Loretta's book list on status anxiety

Loretta Graziano Breuning Why did Loretta love this book?

This 1950s view of status-seeking is fun because itā€™s far away yet eerily familiar. The small details that reveal a personā€™s social class are explored. Your sex life and social life are scrutinized, along with religion, education, politics, and ā€œthe totem poles of job prestige.ā€

Packard wrote many popular sociology books in the 1950s. I loved his book The Human Side of Animals. It shows how animals compete for social dominance because it helps their genes survive. So why does the author blame society for status-seeking in this book? He knows the truth: all societies have status-seeking because weā€™re all mammals. I think this book has a bitter tone because the author is appealing to bitter readers. Fortunately, we have a choice about playing the game.

By Vance Packard,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Status Seekers as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"An explosive exploration of class behavior in America and the hidden barriers that affect you, your community, and your future."


Book cover of Rascal

Deb Aronson Author Of How to Raise a Rhino

From my list on humans bonding with wild animals.

Why am I passionate about this?

My passion is writing about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, rather than famous people or people with some unusual skill, like being a math genius or something. This passion led me to Anna Merzā€™s story and my growing appreciation of the power of the animal/human connection and how much communication can take place without language.

Deb's book list on humans bonding with wild animals

Deb Aronson Why did Deb love this book?

This is a charming book that I treasured when I was a young reader.

The narrator/author is telling a true story from his childhood about adopting a wild raccoon he named Rascal. It harkens back to a simpler time [also a little warning, he and a friend take the baby raccoons from their nest, which is not cool these days!].

The reader gets to see how smart and mischievous Rascal is and all the adventures the two have together.

By Sterling North,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rascal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Rascal is only a baby when young Sterling brings him home. He and the mischievous raccoon are best friends for a perfect year of adventureā€”until the spring day when everything suddenly changes.

A Newbery Honor Book


Book cover of Scale: The Universal Laws of Life, Growth, and Death in Organisms, Cities, and Companies
Book cover of Purple Coyote
Book cover of Beavers

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