National geographic.

Would your children be interested in fiction with anthropomorphized animal characters, or is it important that the story stay very realistic?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your 8 year old might be old enough for "My Side of the Mountain." If not now, definitely in a year or two. It's about a 12 year old who runs away and lives in the Catskills. Along the way he tames a falcon and meets lots of other animals.

Doesn't he die in the end?

No.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thanks for all of the great suggestions! I've never read any of these (besides Watership Down), so I look forward to reading these books with my children due to your positive reviews!

We do read lots of nonfiction books about animals - National Geographic has some wonderful books for kids - but imo there is nothing like getting sucked into a gripping narrative!

Narrative fiction is over rated. Frankly kids don't get enough non-fiction in school.

Hatchet - Gary Paulson. We listened to this book on a long ride to the grandparents, and I couldn't get my three young children out of the car.

I used to read all those Mother West Wind Where stories growing up. They are all made up stories, but have enough detail about animals and have fun plots. Also used to read Beatrix Potter.

My twin sons and I read aloud together nightly until they were about 13. Boy, do I miss those times! Try Where the Red Fern Grows. One son and I read it aloud together and bawled through the end. A beautiful book in the boy-and-his-dog genre. My other son refused to participate because he couldn't bear the thought of the dog dying, though. Younger kids might like Incredible Journey, aboiut two dogs and a cat traveling hundreds of miles through the wilderness to find their human family. Check out the Read Aloud Handbook for lots more options.

The Jungle Book and All Creatures Great and Small series by James Harriot

White Fang--parts of it can be little grim but realistic. My 6 year old loves animal stories but I changed parts when certain animals died for example b/c would have been upset. Balto is another similar story and a little less grim.

Anonymous wrote:Your 8 year old might be old enough for "My Side of the Mountain." If not now, definitely in a year or two. It's about a 12 year old who runs away and lives in the Catskills. Along the way he tames a falcon and meets lots of other animals.

Doesn't he die in the end?

What about Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH?

Henry Cole, "A Nest for Celeste"