Fiction with Animal Characters

Avi. Ereth’s Birthday

Feeling neglected on his birthday, Ereth, the cantankerous old porcupine, sets out looking for his favorite treat and instead finds himself acting as a “mother” to three young fox kits.

Bartlett. Seal Island School

On Seal Island, off the coast of Maine, a place aswarm with pets of all kinds, nine-year-old Pru plans to keep her teacher from leaving by finding her a dog.

Dana. Zucchini

This story concerns a "tiny ferret named Zucchini. Born in the rodent house at the Bronx Zoo, Zucchini longs for life outside captivity. After he carefully plans and executes a daring escape facilitated by the availability of a nearby subway station, he meets Billy, a shy youngster with an instinctive rapport with animals. The two grow close. Still, Zucchini pursues his dream of freedom.

George. Julie’s Wolf Pack

This is actually the third story about Julie and the Wolves, but it is a fascinating look at a wolf pack. It has a story all its own. Fearless but inexperienced Kapu is now the new leader of the pack. He must protect his wolves from the threats of famine and disease and, at the same time, defend himself from bitter rivals, both inside and outside the pack, who are waiting for their chance to overthrow him. The strength of Kapu's leadership will determine not just the well-being of the pack but its very survival. (publishser)

Grahame. The Wind in the Willows

Mole and Badger love their friend Toad, until he becomes involved in crime.

Haas. Beware the Mare

The mare Gramp brings home to Lily seems the answer to her dreams. But what is the reason for her name--and why do adults distrust her? When Lily finally solves the mystery.

King-Smith. Three Terrible Trins

"Widowed for the third time, Mrs. Gray, an Attic mouse, devotes herself to training her 'trins' (short for triplets), preparing them to banish the two cats from the old house at Orchard Farm. Her three sons become a remarkable fighting team known throughout the four mice communities (Attics, Ups, Downs, and Cellars).

There are lots of animal books by Mr. King-Smith. Try others, too.

Kipling. Just So Stories

Here are the famous “how things came to be” animal stories that Kipling adapted from tales about the dawn of the world told to him by his Indian nurses.