Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your use of these links is greatly appreciated!
Last updated on August 26th, 2024 at 06:20 pm
If you really want to get me going on a topic, ask me about books. This happened the other day when someone DM’d me with this: “I want to be the mom that builds on their love of books but good ones that teach them and grow their imagination.” My favorite books for building a love of books and imagination? Classic animal tales.
Children are drawn in by stories about animals, especially the personification of animals. They’re charming and enchanting, and they challenge kids to use their imaginations. Of course, a rabbit wouldn’t really where a smart, little blue jacket, but why not?
The books I’m sharing in this post are our favorite story collections and chapter books of classic animal tales.
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
I never heard of this collection until the past year. We checked this book out from the library and it instantly became a favorite in our home.
James Herriot (pen name) wrote these interesting, charming, and funny stories of animals during his work as a country veterinarian. With compelling storytelling and beautiful illustrations, each story is a gem on its own.
Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit & other Animal Tales
In a review of a Beatrix Potter collection on Amazon, someone complained about the language in these stories —how could a child understand these phrases and big words?!
But that is the beauty of these child-sized books. IEW founder, Andrew Pudewa, says to read books above a child’s reading levels to develop their communication skills. The language in these books is food for a child’s brain!
And, of course, the watercolors and sketches are lovely.
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
A classic about friendship, and a great way to learn about farms, Charlotte’s Web was one of the first chapter books I read to Juliana. I appreciate E.B. White’s clear and concise writing style. (He edited and contributed to this handy little book, The Elements of Style.)
This edition is illustrated by the famed illustrator, Garth Williams.
The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
When reading The Trumpet of the Swan, make the book the curriculum to learn about birds: bird migration, bird calls, flight, etc. However, rather than learning about birds, I introduced my daughter to Louis Armstrong’s music, since Louis the Swan is named after him.
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
I grew up watching Disney’s Winnie-the-Pooh, but it is nothing compared to the books. The stories are ten times funnier and the characters are ten times more lovable in the books. Juliana and I laughed together over the stories, especially the conversations between characters.
There are many more classic animal tales out there, some that we’ve read and others we haven’t even heard of. But this list contains the tales we love best and recommend to anyone wanting to get started in building a love of reading.
Keep track of what you’re reading with your kids with my Homeschool Record Keeper with a reading log on the backside. Get it by signing up below.
Leave a Reply