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Animal stories for older readers

Tiger Wars

Enjoy some of our favourite books about animals for older children, from Michael Morpurgo's War Horse to Eva Ibbotson's One Dog and His Boy.

These chapter books are perfect for engaging children who love animals, with something for everyone from reluctant readers to those reading above their age level. 

  • War Horse

    War Horse

    Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Francois Place
    Publisher: Egmont

    Steven Spielberg enjoyed this story so much, he turned into a film. Joey is a young farm horse, sold to the army at the beginning of the First World War. Through his eyes, the reader experiences the devastation of the Western Front, his capture by Germans and  entrapment in No Man's Land.

  • The Last Wolf

    The Last Wolf

    Author: Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Michael Foreman
    Publisher: Random House

    Powerful illustrations underline this captivating tale of loyalty and bravery.

  • The Sheep-Pig

    The Sheep-Pig

    Author: Dick King-Smith Illustrator: Mike Terry
    Publisher: Penguin

    When Farmer Hogget wins a piglet at the fair, he is amazed that Fly, his sheep-dog, welcomes him as one of her own pups.

  • The White Giraffe

    The White Giraffe

    Author: Lauren St John Illustrator: David Dean
    Publisher: Hachette

    Devastated by her parents' death, Maxine is sent to South Africa and a grandmother she didn't know existed. When she glimpses the legendary white giraffe one night, the connection between them is instantaneous.

  • The Snow Goose

    The Snow Goose

    Author: Paul Gallico Illustrator: Angela Barrett
    Publisher: Random House Childrens Books

    A lonely artist sets up home in an isolated lighthouse with only seabirds, boating and painting for distraction. Gradually he builds up a sanctuary where wild birds are safe from storms and hunters.

  • The Great Hamster Massacre

    The Great Hamster Massacre

    Author: Katie Davies Illustrator: Hannah Shaw
    Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books

    According to Anna's mum, hamsters are BAD NEWS. But that doesn't stop Anna and her friends from hatching a plan to persuade Mum to let them get a hamster.

  • An Elephantasy

    An Elephantasy

    Author: Maria Elena Walsh Translator: Daniel Hahn
    Publisher: Pushkin Children’s Books

    The fact that a girl is taking her geranium for a walk (the way she does every Thursday) is not the most unusual thing that happens on the first page of this book; there's an elephant on the doorstep. So far, so curious.

  • One Dog and His Boy

    One Dog and His Boy

    Author: Eva Ibbotson Illustrator: Sharon Rentta
    Publisher: Marion Lloyd Books

    All Hal wants for his birthday is a dog and when he is given one he is overjoyed. But when Hal realises Fleck was only his for the weekend, he sets off on an adventure with the dog...

  • The One Dollar Horse

    The One Dollar Horse

    Author: Lauren St John
    Publisher: Orion Children's Books

    Casey Blue lives with her father in a tower block in Hackney, London , but despite her urban existence, she dreams of one day becoming an equestrian champion.

  • White Dolphin

    White Dolphin

    Author: Gill Lewis
    Publisher: Oxford University Press

    A young dolphin, washed up on the beach, unexpectedly brings Kara and Felix together. But the new friends must take on new challenges - finding out the truth about Kara's missing mother, and protecting the bay when it falls under threat.

  • Tilly's Moonlight Fox

    Tilly's Moonlight Fox

    Author:
    Publisher: Oxford University Press

    This sensitively-written story with a touch of time-travel magic has a flavour of classic children's books such as The Secret Garden and Tom's Midnight Garden.

  • Tiger Wars

    Tiger Wars

    Author: Steve Backshall
    Publisher: Orion Children's Books

    Saker and Sinter live utterly different lives - until they find themselves unlikely companions on the run. A breathlessly exciting adventure set in India.