This is a small list nonfiction animal books that young readers will enjoy! These are all picture book styles that are captivating in one way or another.
Some reviews are shorter than others. That just means the book was checked out at the time this was written 😀
Claude: The True Story of a White Alligator by Emma Bland Smith
Published: August 2020
When Claude hatches out of his egg in a Louisiana swamp, he's different than his siblings - he's albino. Because he is so different, for his protection, he's separated from other alligators. When he gets older, he is moved to the California Academy of Sciences where staff house other animals in his habitat to keep Claude from being lonely.
This book inclues Q&A about Claude.
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This Way, Charlie by Caron Lewis
Published: April 2020
Jack (goat) and Charlie (horse) become friends on a farm. Charlie has trouble with vision, only having one good eye. Jack finds the courage to help Charlie out to the field.
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Meet Miss Fancy by Irene Latham
Published: January 2019
Frank is excited when Miss Fancy comes to live in his Alabama hometown until he realizes that the park she moved to is whites only. How will Frank ever meet Miss Fancy?
This one is inspired by a true story. Miss Fancy did come to live in Birmingham, AL and events are historical but Frank is fictionalized. There are notes in the back of the book which touch on Miss Fancy's real-life adventures in Birmingham and also a picture.
One of my personal favorite things about this one is that it's written by Alabamian author, Irene Latham 😁
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Journey by Emma Bland Smith
Published: October 2016
A wolf makes a 2000 mile journey, over the course of 3 years, from Oregon to California. This story is told from the wolf's perspective and also from a young girls, who follows his journey closely through the news and media.
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Clara: The (Mostly) True Story of the Rhinoceros Who Dazzled Kings, Inspired Artists, and Won the Hearts of Everyone... While She Ate Her Way Up and Down a Continent by Emily Arnold McCully
Published: June 2016
Clara, a rhinoceros, is taken on a tour of Europe in the mid 1700s. This is a cute book to go along with a history lesson or geography.
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Railway Jack: The True Story of an Amazing Baboon by KT Johnson
Published: February 2020
When Railway Inspector Jim loses his legs, he trains a baboon to help him on the job.
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Jefferson Measures A Moose by Mara Rockliff
Published: August 2020
When a Frenchman publishes a book about America that is full of wrong facts. Thomas Jefferson is determined to set the facts straight.
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Gobi: A Little Dog With A Big Heart by Dion Leonard
Published: August 2017
In Asia's largest desert, a stray dog joins in on a marathon race. For 77 miles, Gobi (named after the desert he's found in), runs alongside Dion Leonard until together, they cross the finish line. This story is told from Gobi's point of view and is very sweet.
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Fiery Night by Sally Walker
Published: September 2020
Justin Butterfield and his family are woken up one night by their neighbors who warn them of a fire heading towards them. As the fire comes closer, sparks are blown towards their home. The Butterfields do what they can to save their home but eventually have to flee. However, Justin can't leave his goat Willie behind! Willie is frightened of the fire and slows the family down at times on their journey to escape. Justin and Willie both have to find their courage and brave their fears to reach safety.
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Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate
Published: October 2014
Captured as a baby, Ivan is taken from his jungle home in Africa to America. He was bought by a shopping mall owner. For the first 3 years of his life, he lived in a home before being moved to a cage at the mall. Many years passed until Americans began to protest Ivan's lonely life and demand a better life for him.
This is written by aware winning author, Katherine Applegate. It includes an "About Ivan" section in the back with more information, pictures of Ivan, resources for additional learning and a message from Jodi Carrigan - Ivan's main keeper at Zoo Atlanta.
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Rags: Hero Dog of WWI by Margot Theis Raven
Published: August 2014
Rags was just a stray dog, roaming the streets of Paris when he was taken in by an American soldier named Donovan. He quickly became the mascot for the Army's First Division and did what he could to help his new soldier family. This included alerting the men to incoming bombs, delivering messages and clearing rats out of the trenches.
When Donovan and Rags are injured in battle, they travel back to America together. Fiercely loyal, Rags went to see Donovan in the hospital every day until the day came when he couldn't.
This one will pull at your heartstrings! Great for older kids. This one shows a smaller picture of what war looks like.
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Saving Emma the Pig by John Chester
Published: May 2019
This book is written by John Chester, Farmer and owner of Apricot Farms. Emma the pig is about to give birth to a liter of piglets when she comes to live at the farm. She is also very sick. After she gives birth to 17 piglets, she begins to get sicker. It's up to Farmer John and his wife to help her get better so she can care for her babies.
Although this one is simpler than others on this list, children who enjoy farm stories will like this one as it's a realistic depiction of life on a farm.
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Pup 681: A Sea Otter Rescue Story by Jean Reidy
Published:February 2019
In sparse words with a simple storyline, Pup 681 tells about how a lonely sea otter pup was rescued from shore by the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Pup 681 misses her family but makes the most of her time at the aquarium playing with her toys and habitat. Although she misses her sea otter family, she finds comfort in the love of her rescuer.
This is a fictional book, inspired by a true story. It will appeal to smaller ages children.
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Togo by Robert Blake
Published: October 2002
This story begins in Nome, Alaska with Leonhard Seppala deciding what to do with a small, rambunctious puppy named Togo. He was too small, too energetic and too independent to be a sled dog. However, Togo is determined to be a sled dog and quickly shows that he is a natural born leader. Over time, Seppala becomes known as the fastest man in North America, all thanks to Togo.
In 1925, Togo's skills are put to the test when Seppala is asked to deliver life-saving medicine to the children in Nome.
Robert J. Blake includes a half page epilogue at the end, as well as an author's note that left me wanting to know more! As someone who grew up watching the cartoon Balto, I was shocked to learn about Togo, the dog who ran the lion's share of the 1925 Serum Run. This is a good one for older kids.
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Cubs in the Tub by Candace Fleming
Published: August 2020
Helen Martini longed for a baby until her husband Fred brings a lion cub home from the zoo! She finally has a baby to mother and fawn over. When the time comes for the lion cub to be moved to a zoo, Helen reluctantly lets him go. Sadness creeps in and she longs for another baby until Fred brings home another surprise - 3 tiger cubs! She cares for them as they grow and when officials come to collect them, Helen goes to the Zoo with them.
This is a lovely story and the illustrations are perfect! Watercolor illustrations are already my favorites but Julie Downing does a FANTASTIC job complimenting Fleming's text and capturing the emotions.
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Pierre the Penguin by Jean Marzollo
Published: April 2010
Pierre lives at the California Academy of Sciences and when he begins to lose his feathers, the staff is concerned. Without his feathers, his body can't keep warm in his habitat and soon, the other penguins begin to stay away from him. Despite several different attempts, staff cannot find a solution to Pierre's problem until one biologist has a creative idea.
Marzollo's rhyming story is a great one to share with kids to illustrate the idea that good ideas don't always work. Sometimes you have to come up with several ideas and try them all out to see what works.
Q&A in the back with answers from Pam Schaller, the biologist from the story.
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Belle, the Last Mule at Gee's Bend by Calvin Alexander Ransey and Bettye Stroud
Published: January 2016As Alex sits on a porch in Gee's Bend, he notices a mule eating in a garden across the street. Is that ok? Surely the owner of the garden doesn't want a mule stomping and eating their vegetables like that!
When an older woman, Miz Pettway, sits down next to Alex, she tells him that Belle, the mule, is allowed to do whatever she pleases. Miz Pettwat recounts a time when Martin Luther King Jr travelled to Gee's Bend and inspired African American's to register to vote. When Dr. King was assassinated, 2 mules from Gee's Bend were asked to pull his casket through the streets of Atlanta, Belle being one of them.
This book is illustrated by John Holyfield, the same artist who illustrated Meet Miss Fancy.
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Finding Winnie by Lindsay Mattick
Published: October 2015
In 1914, Henry Colebourn decided to join the war by helping to tend soldiers' horses. As a veterinarian, he had a unique and special way with animals. As he traveled by train with other soldiers to the military camp, the train made several stops. On one stop, he acquired a bear cub which he decided to take with him. He named the bear Winnie after his hometown of Winnipeg. Together, they travel over land and sea while Colebourn serves in World War 1 until Winnie goes to live at a Zoo in London, England.
This is the story behind the bear who inspired A.A. Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh.
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Clever Hans: The True Story of the Counting, Adding and Time-Telling Horse by Kerri Kokias
Published: May 2020
After that title, does this book really need a summary?
Mystery drips from these pages as readers wonder how Hans can answer the questions asked to him. Can a horse really be that smart? This book is written for elementary ages but would be good for all - I'm talking high school too! It's such an interesting story. It touches on our own physical human reactions and animal intelligence while also reaching out to the horse and mystery lovers too.
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Faithful Elephants: A True Story of Animals, People and War by Yukio Tsuchiya
