Favorite Animal Fantasy, Amazing Tales and Mystery Books
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Favorites of All Time
Fantasy, Science Fiction and Mysteries are my favorite genres and I love animals of all shapes and sizes, so when you put them together, well, I could stay happily occupied for hours. This lens contains an annotated bibliography of the animal fantasy, incredible story and mystery books and multimedia that I liked as a child and still enjoy as an adult.
Some of my all time favorites include Watership Down, Rabbit Hill, Charlotte's Web and Bambi. Today, you can find many print and multimedia versions of these old favorites, as well as plush stuffed animals and other toys, too.
Animal Fantasies and Other Tales
As I looked over the list of my favorite fantasy, amazing tales and mystery books about animals, I realized that the majority of them were written for children. Why is that? Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that so many adults loose their sense of wonder and they "stop hearing the bells" (like the children in the Polar Express).
Some cynical people would say it's because some of us just never grow up. Well, we're proud to say that we are among the delightful number of adults who have the Peter Pan syndrome. Each day and each interaction with nature and animals is a joyful experience filled with learning with a bit of magic thrown in. We hope that we will never loose this wonder and love for all living things that we have retained from our childhood.
My favorite genres to read for fun are Fantasy, Science Fiction and Mysteries. I enjoy reading a variety of non-fiction books, too. I hope, as a retired school librarian, that I am serving as a good model by being a Life Long Learner. Catching the reading bug early in life is an important skill and a "hobby" that will serve you as long as you live. Books are an important part of learning, but we must embrace all learning styles, so I have included multimedia versions of my favorites in the list.
The list has grown quite long, but we figured that more is better, in this case. Actually, I had to leave off the Circle of Light Series by Neil Hancock because the books are not readily available. This series was a predecessor of the Redwall series by Brian Jacques and was geared more towards adults and young adults. If you can find copies at the library or in a second hand bookstore, they are certainly worth a read.
Now, on to our favorite animal fantasies, tales and mysteries. We hope you enjoy them all.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
An Adventure story with an unlikely heroine, Mrs. Frisby, a field mouse, who has to brave a visit to the Rats and the Great Owl in order to save her children. There are some delightfully entertaining characters who help her find a way to move her house to safety.
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh (Aladdin Fantasy)
Amazon Price: $2.87 (as of 05/28/2012)
The Secret of NIMH and Other Mouse Tales
A Hoppin' Good Book - Rabbit Hill
We have our own little Georgie, who come clippity-clipping out when my husband goes up the long drive to get the paper each morning. He always leaves him a little treat of carrots or rabbit chow by the edge of the woods and the little guy usually stays to finish up his snack when Al comes back to the house.
Rabbit Hill
Amazon Price: $0.51 (as of 05/28/2012)
Rabbit Hill is not just a story with talking animals. It is so much more. It's about respect for all living creatures and it's also about choosing a different path from the others who are around you. And it's about gardening, one of my favorite subjects.
Watership Down: A Novel by Richard Adams
Watership Down: A Novel
Amazon Price: $6.90 (as of 05/28/2012)
Richard Adams wrote about a group of rabbits who were looking for a safe warren and on the adventurous trail there is heroism, deceit, joy and sorrow. Everyone will enjoy this wonderful book.
Watership Down Multimedia
Watership Down Videos Made for TV
Watership Down - Brighteyes Vid
The Velveteen Rabbit
The Velveteen Rabbit Gift Set: Hardcover book and plush package
Amazon Price: (as of 05/28/2012)
A classically magical story about how love can make wishes come true. Every little one need their own Velveteen Rabbit and here's a boxed set. Read this aloud to a child you love.
Velveteen Rabbit Multimedia
Charlotte's Web
Charlotte's Web
Amazon Price: $4.27 (as of 05/28/2012)
Lovable Wilbur the Pig, Charlotte, Fern and Templeton the Rat join forces in an attempt to save Wilbur from the slaughter house and a lasting friendship is born. This story demonstrates how the relationship between humans and animals should be.
There are audio versions of the book as well as movies that are very well done.
Charlotte's Wilbur the Pig Beanie Baby
TY Beanie Babies Wilbur - Charlotte's Web Pig
Amazon Price: $22.00 (as of 05/28/2012)
Charlotte's Web Films
Redwall by Brian Jacques
Redwall (Redwall, Book 1)
Amazon Price: $2.82 (as of 05/28/2012)
Redwall is the first of a series of books which tell an epic tale beginning with Redwall Abbey and Matthias, a young male mouse. This is an enthralling series of stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat with every turn of the page. You won't be able to stop with just one.
Redwall Series by Brian Jacques
Redwall DVD's
Redwall - part 1 Vid
Just a peek of what's in store for you in Redwall
The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book (Sterling Classics)
Amazon Price: $4.50 (as of 05/28/2012)
This classic story about a boy who was raised by animals as well as Kipling's other animal stories portray animals as thinking beings that should be treated with respect.
Mowgli and Baloo Plush Toy
Disney The Jungle Book 12" Baloo with 8" Mowgli Plush Doll Set
Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 05/28/2012)
The Jungle Book Videos, DVD's and audio
Riki Tiki Tavi by Rudyard Kipling
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
Amazon Price: $3.83 (as of 05/28/2012)
This is my favorite story from Kipling's Just So Stories. For some reason, I have always been fascinated with the Mongoose in this story about a special relationship between a wild animal and a boy. Many of the video adaptions are also quite good.
Bambi by Felix Salten
Bambi: A Life in the Woods
Amazon Price: $3.36 (as of 05/28/2012)
Salter's classic story about a young deer, coming of age in the forest, should not be missed. Some critics consider it to be the first "ecological" novel. The Disney film version is close to my heart, but the book tells the best story.
Bambi Plush Toy
Disney Store Exclusive 13" Long Bambi Plush
Amazon Price: $18.48 (as of 05/28/2012)
Bambi Trailer
Multimedia - Riki Tiki Tavi & Bambi
The Chronicles of Narnia
The books in the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis are the ultimate animal fantasy complete with talking lions, beavers and all other sorts of creatures along with battles and symbolism. These stories can be enjoyed for just the story or for the underlying religious theme that runs through the entire series. These are classic works of art that everyone should read at some time in their life.
The Chronicles of Narnia Boxed Set
Amazon Price: $20.54 (as of 05/28/2012)
The whole Chronicles of Narnia series in one boxed set. Hours of reading enjoyment for young and old.
Stories of C. S. Lewis Guides and DVD's
Beatrix Potter Stories
The first animal fantasies for the very young should be those written by Beatrix Potter. The Tale of Peter Rabbit is probably the most familiar, but there are many more delightful stories for the little ones to enjoy like The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin (one of my favorites) and the Tale of Two Bad Mice.
Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales
Amazon Price: $20.99 (as of 05/28/2012)
The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter is a book that every parent should own. Bedtime stories are so important in developing future readers and provide such a pleasant way to end the day.
Peter Rabbit Plush Toy
Kids Preferred The World of Beatrix Potter Collectible Peter Rabbit
Amazon Price: $22.45 (as of 05/28/2012)
The Stories of Beatrix Potter DVD's
Other Great Animal Fantasies
Amazing Tales
Some true stories are so incredible, that they are almost unbelievable. They seem more fantasy than real. The ones we've listed here are like that. They tell about the unbelievably strong bond that can be formed between special people and special animals.
Incredible Journey
The Incredible Journey
Amazon Price: $6.49 (as of 05/28/2012)
A quite unlikely trio, 2 dogs and a cat, travel across miles of wilderness in search of their human family. What a beautiful and almost unbelievable story.
Born Free
Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds
Amazon Price: $6.35 (as of 05/28/2012)
Born free, as free as the wind blows... this touching, amazing story about a lioness who was rescued and raised by Joy Adamson is another tale about that special bond that sometimes occurs between humans and animals.
Homeward Bound & Born Free Films
Homeward Bound Vid
Be Prepared, Get Out Your Kleenex Now
Cats Figuring It Out - Mysteries & Other Cat Books
The inquisitive feline is always sticking his or her nose into everything, so cats helping to solve mysteries is not too hard to imagine. Oh, if only they could talk...
Cat Who Mysteries by Lillian Jackson Braun
The Cat Who Could Read Backwards
Amazon Price: $6.46 (as of 05/28/2012)
The first in Lillian Jackson Braun's entertaining mystery series featuring Ko Ko and Yum Yum, two Siamese cats, who allow multi-millionaire and retired newspaper writer, James Qwilleran, to live with them. The first 26 books are the best. Braun's last few offerings have been a little below her normal standard, but are still very entertaining.
More Cat Who Books
Lydia Adamson's Alice Nestleton Mysteries
Cat Fantasy Multimedia and Books
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot was the foundation of the wonderful and glorious production, Cats. Everyone should read and see both. Another favorite fantasy / science fiction film of mine is The Cat from Outer Space. This is one that will be enjoyed by young and old, alike.
Other Lenses about Animals that You Might Enjoy
If You Enjoyed This Lens...
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Jot down something about your favorite book.
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RGebbiePhoto
Feb 9, 2011 @ 1:12 am | delete
- Thanks for sharing, you have a great selection of choices.
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mollywobbles
Oct 27, 2008 @ 11:25 pm | delete
- I am busy reading the 6th book in the sword of truth series, by Terry Goodkind.... It's a really well written series, but I wouldn't reccomend a minor under 16 or so reading it because of the amount of violence and disturbing parts in the chapters.........
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ElizabethJeanAllen
Oct 26, 2008 @ 5:09 am | delete
- Children need to be encouraged to read. Its a lifetime habit that will serve them well.
Great lens
Lizzy
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Evelyn_Saenz
Aug 17, 2008 @ 7:19 am | delete
- Great lens! Lensrolled to The Redwall Series!. Thank you so much for featuring it here.
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rio1
Jul 13, 2008 @ 5:30 pm | delete
- the Homeward Bound Vid made me cry........but it was a good cry.
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Links to Authors, Book Lists & More Info
Internet Book List :: Author Information: Lilian Jackson Braun
A comprehensive and easily accessible database of more...0 points
Redwall Abbey: The Official Redwall Web Site
Welcome to Redwall Abbey, the personal web site of more...0 points
Lydia Adamson
A bibliography of Lydia Adamson's books, with the more...0 points
E.B. White
Book list of E.B. White0 points
Robert C O'Brien
A bibliography of Robert C O'Brien's books, with t more...0 points
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