8 Great Chapter Books for Animal Lovers

Stinky Spike the Pirate Dog, by Peter Meisel and Paul Meisel
Spike the shipyard dog has the best sniffer in the seven seas, but he accidentally gets lost at sea! And unfortunately he becomes really stinky because he lands in a barrel of old fish! Finally, he is rescued by a pirate ship. Captain Fishbeard will take Spike home if he sniffs out some treasure for the pirates. But can Spike find the treasure they are looking for? A fun book to get kids reading!

Magic Animal Rescue series, by E.D. Baker and Lisa Manuzak
These fairy tale-like books are perfect for magical animal lovers. In Maggie and the Flying Horse, Maggie has to find help for a darling tiny flying horse (a “horsefly,” get it?) with a broken wing. Can Bob the Stableman, who is known for caring for magical creatures, fix the wing? That is, if Maggie can get past the goblins and troll living in the Enchanted Forest first? And, Maggie and the Wish Fish is also filled with wonderful animals, like a goose who lays golden eggs and a helpful unicorn. And there is even a magical fish who may or may not grant Maggie’s very important wish.

Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, by Kat DiCamillo and Chris Van Dusen
A true “porcine wonder,” Mercy, the buttered-toast-loving pet pig of the Watsons, takes Mr. Watson and the timid next door neighbor Baby Lincoln, who snuck in the back of the car, for an unforgettable ride in a pink convertible. Your kids will laugh out loud, and you will, too.

The Chicken Squad #3: Into the Wild: Yet Another Misadventure, by Doreen Cronin and Stephen Gilpin
All children love baby chicks and a bunny, and they will find both in Doreen Cronin’s third installment of The Chicken Squad. The four baby chicks, Dirt, Sweetie, Poppy, and Sugar, are trying to find out what exactly is in the new mysterious box in the backyard…and they will stop at nothing to figure it out using all of their survival skills (which includes marshmallow belts and mustaches!). Their funny misadventures will keep kids turning the pages.

Owl Diaries #3: A Woodland Wedding, by Rebecca Elliott
If woodland creatures are what your kids enjoy learning about, then pick up the Owl Diaries series by Rebecca Elliott. Adorably illustrated, every chapter is an entry in a diary kept by owl Eva Wingdale. The owls have pinephones, pet lizards and bats, and a school called Treetop Owlementary. What’s not to love?

Sneaky Pony #4: Keeker and the Springtime Surprise, by Hadley Higginson and Lisa Perrett
Spring on the farm is a wonderful time of year, and Keeker and her pony, Plum, are enjoying everything that comes with the season, from the weather to the new baby animals, including a baby bird, and some cute baby groundhogs. Even Keeker’s mother’s horse, Pansy, is going to have a foal! But Keeker thinks that Pansy is getting all the attention, so she decides to plan a play for her and Plum. If your child loves ponies, then the Sneaky Pony series is a must-have.

Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail, by Kate Messner
Ranger is special. This golden retriever isn’t just any dog—he’s been training to be a search-and-rescue dog! But, he just can’t stop chasing squirrels in order to pass the test. After digging up a first aid kit in the yard, Ranger finds himself back in time where he meets a boy named Sam Abbott and his family who are heading west on the Oregon Trail. Can Ranger help them reach their destination safely? Any child who has a dog best friend (or just really wants one) will fall in love with Ranger.