These books will thrill your animal-loving kids

We love any excuse to read and found these delightful stories with animal characters for your little animal lovers. Cuddle up for a bedtime read and join these furry friends on their adventures.

Princess of Pets by Paula Harrison 

Ruby Palace is no place for pets! But Princess Bea won’t let royal rules stop her from helping animals in need. Bea gets a big surprise when she discovers a beautiful pony alone on the beach. Bea is determined to find Sandy’s owner if only the pony would stay put! Can Bea find Sandy’s home before the pony runs into trouble?

The Rabbit, the Dark and the Biscuit Tin

by Nicola O’Byrne Rabbit doesn’t want to go to bed, so he decides to kidnap The Dark and trap it in a biscuit tin so he can stay up all night long. But the Dark reminds Rabbit of all the good things that he does. “What about all the nocturnal animals,” he asks … “and surely you can’t have a yummy breakfast of toast and honey and fresh orange juice unless you’ve been to bed?” But the BEST thing about The Dark, of course, is reading a really good bedtime story.

I, Cosmo

by Carlie Sorosiak The story of one dog’s attempt to save his family, become a star, and eat a lot of bacon. Cosmo’s family is falling apart. And it’s up to Cosmo to keep them together. He knows exactly what to do. There’s only one problem. Cosmo is a Golden Retriever. Wise, funny, and filled with warmth and heart. This is Charlotte’s Web meets Little Miss Sunshine.

Enzo Races in the Rain!

by Garth Stein A heart-warming tale of coming home, this is Garth Stein’s picture book about the lovable dog Enzo from The Art of Racing in the Rain. Young dog lovers will enjoy cuddling up with this sweet story. Enzo the puppy’s action-packed adventure begins when he makes the journey from the farm to the city, discovers just how big the world is, and finds the family that was meant to be his. R. W. Alley’s bright and funny art brings the beloved Enzo to life as he learns to adapt to life in his new home and discovers just what it means to become a family.

This is a Dog

by Ross Collins  Uh-oh! An excitable – but very loveable – dog has found his way into this First Animals book and he will NOT let any of the other animals take their turn. Dogs are far more important, after all! And when the other animals get angry, this dog comes up with a very cunning plan to outwit them … The above books are published by Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Ozzie the Ostrich and his Flaming Fla-Migos

by Victoria Mallett & illus. Riëtte Basson (self-published) Ozzie is an awkward, but very loveable ostrich with a gammy leg who struggles to fit in with his incredibly powerful and athletic peers. Whilst wandering across the plains, a chance meeting with a flock of eccentric and flamboyant flamingos brightens up his day and ultimately brings love, colour and joy into his life when they invite him to join their tribe. It is a story about the magic that unfolds when you learn to love and embrace your uniqueness, flaws and all! This is the second in a five-book animal series with powerful themes and messaging, and they haven’t looked back, after Kenny the Kudu and his Christmas Adventure.