Suggestions from Mt. Lebanon Public Library  ~  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
                    www.mtlebanonlibrary.org
           
        Fantastic Animals
      -books of classic animal fantasy-

Fiction for older readers. Unless otherwise noted, all books may be found
in the juvenile fiction section, arranged by the author’s last name.

 Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard Atwater
Captain Cook, and the 11 members of his penguin family, make themselves at home with Mr. Popper and his family.  Grades 2-4

 Poppy by Avi
A young deer mouse searches for a new home for her family away from the control of the terrifying owl, Mr. Ocax.  First of a series. Grades 4-6

 The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams Bianco
The beloved story of how a boy’s love brings his toy rabbit to life.  Grades 2-5

 A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond
The adventures of a Peruvian bear in an English household.  One of a series. Grades 3-5

 Freddy the Detective by Walter R. Brooks
Freddy the pig does some detective work in order to solve the mystery of the missing toy train.  One of a series.  Grades 4+

 Old Mother West Wind by Thornton Burgess
Peter Rabbit and Reddy Fox, and all their animal friends, have wonderful adventures in the fields and woods.  One of a series. Grades 3-5

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
A young mouse named Ralph discovers the joys of motorcycling when he borrows a guest’s toy from the Mountain View Inn. Grades 3-5

 The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
“The story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread.”   Newbery Medal winner. Grades 3-6

 Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Three farmers, each one meaner than the other, try all-out warfare to get rid of the fox and his family.  Grades 3-5

 James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
After running away from his mean aunts, James finds refuge and wonderful adventures with some kindly insects that live in a large peach. Grades 4+

 A Toad for Tuesday by Russell Erickson
Warton the toad goes out on a winter day ,is captured by an owl, and must plan an escape.  One of a series.  Grades 2-4

 My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Gannet
A boy’s father rescues a baby dragon from his captivity on Wild Island.  Grades 2-4

 The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The classic tales of Mole, Rat, Badger, and Toad.  Grades 3-5

 The Mouse and His Child by Russell Hoban
A broken windup mouse child and his father survive dangerous adventures while they search for safety and happiness. Grades 4+

 Bunnicula by Deborah Howe
House pets Harold the dog and  Chester the cat think that the new pet baby bunny is a vampire. Grades 2-5 

 Redwall by Brian Jacques
The chronicle of a warrior mouse, terrible rats, and good badgers.  One of a series. Grades 5+

 Babe : the Gallant Pig by  Dick King-Smith
A small pig is adopted by an old sheep dog and discovers that he has a special talent. Grades 3-5

 Martin’s Mice by Dick King-Smith
A farm cat would rather keep mice as pets than catch and kill them.  Also other titles by this author.  Grades 3-5

 The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The jungle adventures of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves.  Ages 10+

 Just-So Stories by Rudyard Kipling
How things came to be, such as the camel’s hump. Ages 10+

 Ben and Me by Robert Lawson
Amos the mouse tells how he was the one really responsible for the innovations and discoveries of Benjamin Franklin. Grades 3+

 Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson
The rabbits on the hill are anxious to meet the humans about to move into the Big House. 
Grades 3-5

 Catwings by Ursula LeGuin
Four cats with wings search for a place to live. First of a series.  Grades 2-4

 The Tales of Uncle Remus : The Adventures of Brer Rabbit as told by Julius Lester
African-American folktales about the adventures of Brer Rabbit and his friends and enemies.  Grades 3+

 The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
A kind doctor understands the language of animals.  Ages 9+

 Wolf Story by William McCleery
When Waldo the Wolf attempts to capture Rainbow the Hen, Jimmy Tractorwheel comes to her rescue.  Grades 4+

 Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne
The classic tales of Christopher Robin and his friends. Grades 3+

 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O’Brien
A mother mouse seeks help from the super intelligent lab rats of the National Institute of Mental Health.  Ages 9+

 The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
After traveling in a picnic basket and sharing subway-station life with a mouse and a cat, a country cricket from Connecticut ends up in Times Square.  Grades 2-4

 The Rescuers by Margery Sharp
Three mice band together in order to rescue a Norwegian poet from the dungeon of the Black Castle.  Grades 4-6

 The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith
Two dogs rescue their 15 puppies from the vicious Cruella de Vil. Grades 5+

 Abel’s Island by William Steig
The dapper mouse Abel is swept away to a desert island.  Grades 2-5

 Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White
Wilbur is a lonely pig until he befriends a spider named Charlotte.  Grades 3+

 Stuart Little by E. B. White
The adventures of Stuart Little, who is only two inches tall and resembles a mouse in every way.  Grades 3-5

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If you would like to read more animal fantasies, please ask for a copy of our
Fantasy Booklist & Dragons! Booklist

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Look for these and other great books in
The Children's Library
Mt. Lebanon Public Library
16 Castle Shannon Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15228
412/531-1913      4.06
www.mtlebanonlibrary.org