IF ANIMALS COULD TALK

Little Horse by Betsy Byars  (New York, NY: Henry Holt & Co, 2002)

The story of Little horse, who becomes separated from his mother and the familiarity of home, and embarks on a dangerous journey to safety.   (Ages 6 - 9)

Ned Mouse Breaks Away by Tim Wynne-Jones   (Douglas & McIntyre, 2003)

Ned Mouse has been thrown in jail for writing "the government is unfair to mice!" in his spinach and tries many hilarious, yet unsuccessful attempts to escape prison.   (Ages 7 - 10)

The Nine Lives of Aristotle by Dick King-Smith  (Cambridge, MA : Candlewick Press, 2003)

Details the life of an adventurous kitten, who is adopted by a kindly lady and rescued from many risks and dangers, until he is down to only "one life left!"   (Ages 6 - 9)

The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary   (New York, NY:   Morrow, 1965)

Ralph S. Mouse meets a young boy who is staying at the Inn where Ralph makes his home and the two become friends, sharing a common love of the boy's toy motorcycle.   During his adventures with the toy motorcycle, Ralph learns the importance of friendship and responsibility.   (Ages 7 - 12)

Howliday Inn by James Howe   (New York, NY: Atheneum, 1982)

While their family is away, Harold dog and Chester cat are boarded at the Chateau Bow-Wow.   During their stay, they notice mysterious disappearances of fellow boarders and begin an investigation.   (Ages 7 - 12)

Harry the Poisonous Centipede's Big Adventure by Lynne Reid Banks   (New York, NY:   Avon Books, 1997)

Harry and his friend George, both centipedes, are captured and trapped in jars by a human.   After a daring escape the two begin their dangerous journey home.   (Ages 8 - 12)

Runt by Marion Dane Bauer   (New York, NY:  Clarion Books, 2002)

Born the youngest and smallest in his wolf pack, Runt struggles to earn a place, and a real name, within the pack.   (Ages 8 - up)

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien   (New York, NY: Atheneum, 1972)

Mrs. Frisby, a mouse who lives in a farmer's field, begins a dangerous quest to save her family which leads her to the rats of Nimh and their carefully guarded secret.   (Ages 8 - 12)

I, Freddy and Freddy in Peril by Dietlof Reiche   (New York, NY:  Scholastic Press, 2003)

Freddy, the first golden hamster to read and write, tells his life story, using a computer.   Unfortunately, his talent is discovered by an evil scientist, who is determined to capture Freddy and perform experiments on him!   (Ages 8 - 12)

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White   (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1952)

The story of Wilbur the pig, befriended by a spider named Charlotte who has promised to help save him from his cruel fate.   (Ages 8 - 12)

Redwall by Brian Jacques   (New York, NY: Philomel Books, 1986)

The first book in the series describing the adventures of the mice in Redwall Abbey and their struggles against the rat warlord and his army.   (Ages 10 - up)

Guardians of Ga'Hoole by Kathryn Lasky   (New York, NY:  Scholastic)

Soren, a young owlet, is forced from his nest by an older brother and brought to live in a cruel orphanage.   With the help of friends, Soren attempts his escape and begins a quest for survival.   (Ages 10 - up)

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel   (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1997)

The story of a bat named Shade, who becomes separated from his Silverwing colony and must face many challenges during his struggle to find his own way south and rejoin his colony in their winter home.   (Ages 10 - up)

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell   (New York, NY: Dodd Mead, 1941)

The story of a horse and his adventures, from the peaceful meadows of his birth to the cold, hard streets of London , and his special bond with a human boy.   (Ages 10 - up)

White Fang by Jack London   (London, EN: Macmillan, 1934)

The classic tale of White Fang, part dog and part wolf, and his struggle for survival in the Alaskan wilderness.   (Ages 12 - up)

Children's Services, Red Deer Public Library/2004