Books for Our Youth Recommended by the Dublin S.P.C.A.
Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman: When a baby bird hatches while his mother is away he
is persistent to find her by asking a variety of animals ‘Are you’re my mother?’ Recommended
for ages 1-4
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Bill Martin Jr., Art by Eric Carl: Eating his way throughout the book, this
caterpillar soon becomes his fate, a lovely butterfly through an array of beautiful collages and true art.
Recommended for ages 1-6
Brown Bear Brown, What do you see? By Bill Martin Jr., Art by Eric Carl: This rhythm song-sing book
has beautiful imagery while telling a story about different things different animals see. Recommended
for ages 2-3
Turtle in the Sea by Jim Arnosky: In this emotional story, a sea turtle lays her eggs late one night and
gives her hatchlings the gift of life. Recommended for ages 3-6
“Let’s Get a Pup!” Said Kate by Bob Graham: this fully illustrated story takes the reader through the
process of family discussion about getting a pet and where should one look but the local shelter of
course! Recommended for ages 3-7
The Tale of Pale Male by Jeannette Winters: Based on a true story, a controversy is sparked when a
hawk begins to nest on an apartment building in New York City. Recommended for ages 3-7
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter: A Mischievous Rabbit gets into trouble with the local
gardener in this classic tail. Recommended for ages 3-7
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson: A intelligent mouse, using imagination, invokes a beastly "gruffalo" to
scare hungry woodland animals who want to eat him. Recommended for ages 3-8
Animal Rescue: The Best Job There is by Susan E. Goodman: John Walsh of the World Society for the
Protection of Animals takes you on real life adventures of saving animals from disasters. Recommended
for ages 4-7
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams: When a stuffed toy rabbit is given to a small boy as a
Christmas gift, he must realize that in order to become a ‘real’ rabbit, he must endeavor the quality of
love. Recommended for ages 4-8
Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin: This humorous diary styled book give the reader the inside look of a
hidden world as seen from a worm. Recommended for ages 4-8
The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson: Come experience the tale of a growing friendship of a snail
and a whale as they travel together to see the world. Recommended for ages 4-8
Saving Samantha: A True Story by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen: After being injured from a trap,
Samantha the fox gives us a perspective of her everyday life from being an injured kit to independent
adult living on her own. Recommended for ages 4-10
The Bird Man by Veronika Martenova: When a man named Noor Nori is devastated over the loss of his
three children, he finds a way of bringing joy back into his life by bringing healthy recoveries to the
captured birds sold at the market. Recommended for ages 5-8
The Lorax by Dr. Suess: After industrial companies chop down the trees that the Lorax and his friend live
in, only one Lorax remains and pleads to further companies to save his home. Recommended for age 6-9
Just for Elephants by Carol Buckley: A true story of two elephants who reunite at an elephant sanctuary.
Ironically these elephants haven’t seen each other since they were babies and have remembered each
other throughout the years apart. Recommended for ages 7-12
Call of the Wild by Jack London: Man and Dog bond in this Jack London action-packed book. This
classic tale recounts the breathtaking story of one of the most admired and dreaded dogs in the north.
Recommended for ages 8-12
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: A loud statement against cruelty towards animals and an astonishing
story of a horse’s long, this book has been a favorite since it was first published in 1877. Recommended
for ages 8-12
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: A charming pig named Wilbur is saved from the cruel fate of slaughter
when he befriends an intelligent spider named Charlotte. Recommended for ages 9-12
Adopted by an Owl by Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen: Jackon is stolen from his nest as a baby, but
his child captor finds that keeping him is going to be more work than fun. Recommended for ages 9-12
Hawk Hill by Suzie Gilbert: This is a touching story of an injured hawk and his recovery back into the
wild and his special bond between a boy and a wildlife rehabilitator. Recommended for ages 9-12
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: After moving to Florida, Opal befriends a dog who
will allow her to explore her new community and learn more about her family. Recommended
for ages 9-12
Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith: Babe saves himself from slaughter when he shows off his
talents as a sheep herder. He is entered into a Sheepdog Trails contest. Will he win? Will it save his life?
Recommended for ages 9-12
The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford: Three domestic pets must find their way back to home
through the wild, facing starvation, wild animals, and exposure. With teamwork and will they make it?
Recommended for ages 10-12
Old Yeller by Fred Gibson: Found as a stray dog, Old Yeller proves to be strong and brave while
defending his family in this classic book. Recommended for ages 10+
Saving Emily by Nicholas Read: This book tells a parallel story of a young boy named Chris and a cow
named Emily. After meeting Emily, Chris and his friend Gina plan to rescue Emily from a fate of
slaughter, creating an exciting and adventurous tale. Recommended for ages 10+