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 1986

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Society: Colonialism, Natural World: Environment

Tags History: European, Science / Nature, Anthropology, Animals, Agriculture, History: World, Anthropology


Publication year 2014

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Animals, Society: Community

Tags WWII / World War II, Animals, History: World, Colonialism / Postcolonialism, Military / War, History: Asian, Action / Adventure, Biography


Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Animals, WWII / World War II, Military / War, History: World, Action / Adventure

Roland Smith’s Elephant Run (2007) is a middle grade adventure novel that takes place during World War II. Narrator Nick Freestone tries to escape the war and moves from the deadly bombings in London to his father's teak plantation in Burma. Unfortunately for Nick, the war follows him to Burma, and Japanese soldiers soon imprison him and his childhood friend Mya at his family home. Aided by the ancient monk Hilltop, Mya and Nick set... Read Elephant Run Summary


Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Siblings, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Relationships: Family

Tags Children's Literature, Animals, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, History: World, Historical Fiction


Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: War, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Natural World: Animals

Tags Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure, Survival Fiction, Animals, Children's Literature, Military / War, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionEliot Schrefer’s coming-of-age novel Endangered was published by Scholastic in 2012 and is the first book in The Ape Quartet. Set the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the story is written for a young adult audience and is a 2012 National Book Award finalist in Young People’s Literature. The novel follows Sophie Biyoya-Ciardulli’s journey as she navigates the perils of war-torn Congo in search of her mother, protecting a young, orphaned bonobo throughout her journey... Read Endangered Summary


Publication year 1990

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Aging

Tags Children's Literature, Fantasy, Humor, Animals, Romance, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Animals, Relationships: Family

Tags Animals, History: World, Historical Fiction


Publication year 1970

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Natural World: Animals, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

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

Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970) is a children’s novel by British author Roald Dahl. One of Dahl’s most acclaimed and enduring titles, the novel follows an anthropomorphic fox—the titular Mr. Fox—and his animal friends, who live near three cruel farmers. Although the farmers continually attempt to kill the animals, Mr. Fox and his friends are able to outsmart them and steal all the food they want. Fantastic Mr. Fox, like many of Dahl’s works, is a... Read Fantastic Mr Fox Summary


Publication year 1933

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Natural World: Animals, Society: Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Agriculture, Animals, History: U.S., Parenting, Religion / Spirituality, Science / Nature, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, History: World


Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Tags Magical Realism, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Philosophy, Philosophy

Fifteen Dogs (2015) is an allegorical novel by André Alexis. The book is an apologue with a fable-like narrative focused on animals and morality, and it also contains elements of magical realism. It is the second of five planned novels exploring love, faith, place, power, and hatred. Fifteen Dogs was the 2017 Canada Reads selection.Plot SummaryIn a Toronto pub, Greek gods Apollo and Hermes debate the merits of humans and their capacity for symbolic language... Read Fifteen Dogs Summary


Publication year 1974

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Natural World: Animals

Tags Lyric Poem, Free verse, Animals


Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship

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

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures is a middle-grade magical realism novel written by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by K. G. Campbell, and originally published in 2013. DiCamillo is a renowned middle-grade author who also wrote Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux, among other books. Flora and Ulysses was the recipient of the John Newbery Medal for the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children in 2014. It was also adapted into a... Read Flora And Ulysses Summary


Publication year 1933

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Natural World: Animals, Self Discovery, Society: Class

Tags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, British Literature, Animals


Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice

Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Action / Adventure, Humor, Children's Literature, Realistic Fiction, Animals


Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Natural World: Animals

Tags Action / Adventure, Animals, Children's Literature, Science / Nature, Realistic Fiction, Classic Fiction


Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Animals, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Equality

Tags Science / Nature, Animals, Crime / Legal, Humor, History: World


Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Animals


Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Animals, Children's Literature


Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Identity: Language, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Animals, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Nurture v. Nature, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Siblings, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology

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

Half Brother (2010) is a young adult novel by Kenneth Oppel. In the novel, Oppel combines and fictionalizes several experiments in which chimpanzees learned sign language to communicate. The story follows the Tomlin family as they adopt a baby chimpanzee to see if it can learn and use language. Through this experiment and its effect on the characters, the text explores the themes of family, belonging, animal rights, communication, individuality, and growing up. The novel... Read Half Brother Summary


Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Literature

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