Animals in Literature

The selections in this Collection explore the common motif of animals in literature. From classic novels to contemporary poetry and nonfiction, these titles delve into the relationships between humans and animals, shedding light on the profound impact animals have on our lives and exploring humanity's relationship with the natural world.

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Disability, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Play: Drama, Animals, History: World, Drama / Tragedy


Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Environment

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Animals, Grief / Death, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1999

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Food, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Natural World: Animals

Tags Philosophy, Animals, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Philosophy, Food


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies

Tags Animals, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Magical Realism


Publication year 1995

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Climate, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Natural World: Animals

Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Animals, Fantasy

The Lost World (1995) is a sequel to Michael Crichton’s techno-thriller Jurassic Park, a 1990 bestseller. The original novel focuses on an ambitious business plan to hatch live dinosaurs through genetic engineering and then display them in a family-friendly theme park on Isla Nublar off the coast of Costa Rica. The plan goes awry when the great animals take over the island and compel the company that initially bankrolled the park, In-Gen, to destroy the... Read The Lost World Summary


Publication year 1912

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Society: Colonialism, Identity: Race

Tags Classic Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Animals, Mystery / Crime Fiction


Publication year 1966

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Fantasy, Classic Fiction, Humor, Animals, Allegory / Fable / Parable


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Siblings, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family

Tags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Grief / Death, Relationships, Animals, Action / Adventure

A fortuneteller tells 10-year-old Peter that an elephant will lead him to his lost sister, which starts Peter on a journey of self-discovery and wonder in Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo’s The Magician’s Elephant (2009). When a magician miraculously conjures an elephant, its appearance affects everyone in town. In his efforts to find his sister Adele and rescue the homesick elephant, Peter must overcome obstacles and unite a diverse group of characters that includes a policeman... Read The Magician's Elephant Summary


Publication year 1968

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Environment, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Animals, Fantasy, Action / Adventure

Kate DiCamillo’s The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, published in 2006, is a novel about the life of Edward Tulane, a three-foot tall china rabbit. While the book functions like a fairy tale, having magical content and a clear moral, both young and adult audiences can relate to the themes of love and loss that Edward endures. Although the chapters are short, and the language is geared towards children, the themes serve as a larger... Read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Summary


Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Apathy, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Gratitude, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Climate, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Teams, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Colonialism, Society: Community, Society: Globalization, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt

Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Fantasy, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science / Nature, Animals


Publication year 1965

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Friendship

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Community, Relationships: Friendship, Natural World: Environment, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Mental Health, Self Discovery, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Flora/plants, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Society: Politics & Government, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Hope

Tags Animals, Science / Nature, Disability, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Agriculture, Education, Health / Medicine, Grief / Death, Depression / Suicide, Mental Illness, Social Justice, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Animals

Tags Animals, Fantasy, Realistic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt

Tags Animals, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Natural World: Animals

Tags Animals, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction


Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Animals, Fantasy

The One and Only Ivan (2012) is a children’s novel by Katherine Applegate, author of many popular children's, middle grade, and young adult books, including Crenshaw (2015), Willodeen (2021), and the Animorphs series. Winner of the John Newbery Medal, the highest honor for US children’s literature, The One and Only Ivan received starred reviews in Kirkus and the School Library Journal and was a New York Times bestseller.The novel is based on the true story... Read The One And Only Ivan Summary


Publication year 2023

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Tags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Animals


Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Music, Natural World: Animals

Tags Realistic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Animals, Relationships, Class, Music, Parenting, Modern Classic Fiction


Publication year 1842

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Art, Society: Community

Tags Narrative / Epic Poem, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale / Folklore, British Literature, Victorian Period, Animals, Class, Grief / Death