2009 Notable Children’s Books Reading List of Animal Books

Wendy Piersall — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:20:44 +0000

Every year the American Library Association (ALA) releases an excellent list of notable children’s books, considered the best of the best judged on quality, creativity and illustrations that encourage children’s interests and imaginations in exemplary ways. At Fantasy Jr., we recently pulled together a reading list of children’s fantasy books.

Below is a list of all the animal books on the 2009 Notable Children’s Books list. This is a great summer reading list or classroom reading list for teachers who love animals as much as we do! Find the entire 2009 ALA list here.

We also want to chip in to say that we absolutely love ZooBooks and Ranger Rick, too! Even though they are magazines, they provide excellent year round reading for little animal lovers.

1st Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade Reading List

	A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker. The simple backdrop of bear’s forest home sets the stage for a visit from the persistent and irritating mouse who insists the two will become friends.
	Beware of the Frog by William Bee. Living alone in the forest, Old Mrs. Collywobbles needs protection from the Greedy Goblin, the Smelly Troll, and the Giant Hungry Ogre. Her pet frog jumps out of folklore to come to her rescue and give Mrs. Collywobbles more than she anticipated.
	Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. by Sarah C. and Richard P. Campbell. Magnified photographs and informative text provide a nonfiction look at the carnivorous wolfsnail trapping and devouring its victim. This science book will amaze and attract readers. (2009 Geisel Honor Book)
	Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming. After a week at Cowboy Camp for Dogs, Buster’s homesickness evaporates as he joyfully joins the controlled canine chaos of camp activities. Fleming’s richly colored multimedia art details the camp’s layout and the animals’ constant motion.
	Goose and Duck by Jean Craighead George. Goose imprints on the boy who finds his egg, Duck imprints on goose, and both follow the boy around until fall when they figure out who they are and join their fellows flying south.
	Chicken Said, “Cluck!” by Judyann Ackerman Grant. Earl and Pearl shoo Chicken away as they work on their pumpkin patch, but as the story comes full circle, it’s Chicken who does the shooing and saves the day. (2009 Geisel Honor Book)
	Old Bear by Kevin Henkes. During his annual hibernation, Old Bear dreams of the seasons of his youth. Seasonal changes and Old Bear’s sense of wonder are gently evoked in Henkes’ ink and watercolor pictures.

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade and 8th Grade Reading List

	The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. Intertwining stories of an embittered man, a loyal hound, an abandoned cat and a vengeful lamia sing of love, loss, loneliness and hope. (2009 Newbery Honor Book)
	Frogs by Nic Bishop. Bishop presents salient facts about frogs through clear text, augmented with fascinating photographs of species around the world. Even the frog-phobic will be fascinated.
	Buffalo Music by Tracey Fern. Pioneer Mary Ann Goodnight saves her beloved Texas buffalo from extinction by shipping those that escape slaughter to Yellowstone to become part of a new national herd. Spare scenes of primitive abstract art create a stunning visual landscape.
	Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia by Ted Lewin and Betsy Lewin. Alternating lavish watercolors and lively cartoon sketches, the artists document their travel to Mongolia, capturing the excitement and beauty of Naadam, the Summer Festival, where young boys and girls compete in horse racing.
	When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature’s Balance in Yellowstone by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Lively photographs, capturing images of wildlife, and an easy text make it clear to young readers the beneficial impact to the ecosystem when wolves were reintroduced.
	Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman. Lush watercolors and personable narrative bring to life the story of Pale Male, a male hawk who nests atop a swanky Fifth Avenue apartment building and sparks a battle for his habitat among residents and conservationists.

9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade and 12th Grade Reading List

	Tiger Moon by Antonia Michaelis. A betrayed woman facing death, a most unlikely hero, and a sarcastic talking white tiger in colonial-era India come together in a magical story within a story. This masterfully crafted tale moves seamlessly from reality to fantasy as it reveals the profound power of story. (2009 Batchelder Honor Book)
	Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature’s Footprints by Jim Arnosky. Life-sized footprints depicting more than 60 North American wild animals make this an enticing field guide for all ages, not just high schoolers.

We have plenty of other animal learning materials for your classroom, including math worksheets, alphabet worksheets, and zoo coloring pages with letter practice.

Animal Jr. » Animal Books

2009 Notable Children’s Books Reading List of Animal Books

1st Grade, 2nd Grade and 3rd Grade Reading List

A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker. The simple backdrop of bear’s forest home sets the stage for a visit from the persistent and irritating mouse who insists the two will become friends.

Beware of the Frog by William Bee. Living alone in the forest, Old Mrs. Collywobbles needs protection from the Greedy Goblin, the Smelly Troll, and the Giant Hungry Ogre. Her pet frog jumps out of folklore to come to her rescue and give Mrs. Collywobbles more than she anticipated.

Wolfsnail: A Backyard Predator. by Sarah C. and Richard P. Campbell. Magnified photographs and informative text provide a nonfiction look at the carnivorous wolfsnail trapping and devouring its victim. This science book will amaze and attract readers. (2009 Geisel Honor Book)

Buster Goes to Cowboy Camp by Denise Fleming. After a week at Cowboy Camp for Dogs, Buster’s homesickness evaporates as he joyfully joins the controlled canine chaos of camp activities. Fleming’s richly colored multimedia art details the camp’s layout and the animals’ constant motion.

Goose and Duck by Jean Craighead George. Goose imprints on the boy who finds his egg, Duck imprints on goose, and both follow the boy around until fall when they figure out who they are and join their fellows flying south.

Chicken Said, “Cluck!” by Judyann Ackerman Grant. Earl and Pearl shoo Chicken away as they work on their pumpkin patch, but as the story comes full circle, it’s Chicken who does the shooing and saves the day. (2009 Geisel Honor Book)

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes. During his annual hibernation, Old Bear dreams of the seasons of his youth. Seasonal changes and Old Bear’s sense of wonder are gently evoked in Henkes’ ink and watercolor pictures.

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade and 8th Grade Reading List

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt. Intertwining stories of an embittered man, a loyal hound, an abandoned cat and a vengeful lamia sing of love, loss, loneliness and hope. (2009 Newbery Honor Book)

Frogs by Nic Bishop. Bishop presents salient facts about frogs through clear text, augmented with fascinating photographs of species around the world. Even the frog-phobic will be fascinated.

Buffalo Music by Tracey Fern. Pioneer Mary Ann Goodnight saves her beloved Texas buffalo from extinction by shipping those that escape slaughter to Yellowstone to become part of a new national herd. Spare scenes of primitive abstract art create a stunning visual landscape.

Horse Song: The Naadam of Mongolia by Ted Lewin and Betsy Lewin. Alternating lavish watercolors and lively cartoon sketches, the artists document their travel to Mongolia, capturing the excitement and beauty of Naadam, the Summer Festival, where young boys and girls compete in horse racing.

When the Wolves Returned: Restoring Nature’s Balance in Yellowstone by Dorothy Hinshaw Patent. Lively photographs, capturing images of wildlife, and an easy text make it clear to young readers the beneficial impact to the ecosystem when wolves were reintroduced.

Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City by Janet Schulman. Lush watercolors and personable narrative bring to life the story of Pale Male, a male hawk who nests atop a swanky Fifth Avenue apartment building and sparks a battle for his habitat among residents and conservationists.

9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade and 12th Grade Reading List

Wild Tracks!: A Guide to Nature’s Footprints by Jim Arnosky. Life-sized footprints depicting more than 60 North American wild animals make this an enticing field guide for all ages, not just high schoolers.