8 Stories Starring Astonishing Animal Sidekicks

One year, late on Christmas Eve, my eldest turned to me, wide-eyed, and said, ​‘I know what I want for my present tomorrow: a real-life talking dog!’ Who can blame her when animal sidekicks are everything we could wish for in a friend; loyal, courageous and empathetic. Luckily, they abound in children’s fiction and here are some brilliant examples: 

Paper Dragons: The Rise of the Sand Spirits by Siobhan McDermott, illustrated by Yuzhen Cai 

Zhi Ging belongs to Hok Woh, a secret underwater school for immortals, full of sentient jellyfish and incredible magic. To save her friends, Zhi Ging must face the terrifying Sand Spirits. By her side, multicoloured phoenix, Malo, can often be found snoring in Zhi Ging’s hood, clapping his wings in encouragement, or eagerly slurping noodles! 

Wolf Siren by Beth O’Brien 

A wild and wolfish story, this rewritten fairy-tale has feminist bite! Red is drawn to the woods where she feels most alive, despite the strange magic among the trees. Here she meets her wolf pack, Etta, Rhea, Ida and Kiki. Dangerous but beautiful, Red’s wolves are a source of strength, teaching her to believe in herself and take up space. 

When Rhys finds a lost black labrador with conker eyes and ears like triangles of velvet, he names him Worthington. With the recent loss of his mum, and a move to a new city with his dad, nothing is the same for Rhys. He finds it hard to express himself to the adults around him, but in this touching story of hope, friendship and love, gentle Worthington understands everything. 

The Cloud Thief by James Nicol 

Mara lives in Withering-on-the-Sand-Sea where clouds are bought and sold, and water is fiercely rationed. When she discovers a piece of cloud could heal her friend, Old Bern, she and squirrel, Fidget, are determined to get one. Often perched on Mara’s shoulder, Fidget shares her adventurous spirit and a healthy disregard for unjust rules. 

Puffin Lau is magically connected to mythical wildcat, the Kuri, with its shimmering orange fur and iridescent green eyes. From the moment they meet, Puffin feels a warm and deep kinship. However, money-hungry Professor Smoult is determined to harness the Kuri’s power to heal, no matter the cost. Puffin and her best friend, Lance, must return the wildcat to Linger Island, before it’s too late… 

Spooksmiths Investigate: The Cinderman by Alex Atkinson 

Banshees, ghombies (ghost zombies) and spooks run riot in this brilliant story. When Indigo discovers a hidden crypt in her family’s funeral home, she accidentally releases a spectral ash monster, the Cinderman. Luckily, Indigo and her twin brother, Rusty, have a faithful sidekick in Phrank the Pheasant, who won’t let anything get between him and his appetite! 

Twelve-year-old Mimi Malou and best friend, Rafi, collect dreams for the citadel, but there are hissing cursing nightmares too. When they discover a plot to poison the kindly king of Ratnagar with dark dreams, Mimi and her dream creature Lalu – a hummingbird with azure blue wings – journey across India to save him. 

The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers 

Of course, I had to have an animal sidekick in my book too! Thirteen-year-old Effra and her younger brother, Fleet, are larkers, a secret community of people with gills. Near the mysterious depths of the River Yore, they scour mudbanks, trade their finds and live off their wits. But when merciless Rivermun threatens Fleet, Effra plunges into uncharted waters. In the lair of the fearsome Rat Queen, she befriends Clay, a tiny rat who can speak her underwater bubble language. Clay is curious (his pink tail curls up and around like a question mark), courageous and, above all, loyal in the face of danger. 

The Girl with Gills by Becca Rogers is out now.