Genre: Animal Story Summary: Jack thinks of himself as a Wonder Dog. He goes to a school called Barkley's School for dogs, where he sees friends and foes alike. But his biggest foe is a Doberman called Sweetie, the star dog and bully of the school, who is not at all sweet. Will Jack be able to do his duty and be the Wonder Dog he thinks he is? Other: I really liked this series, it's really cute and the dogs' characters are fun. (Ages 6+) ~Faith
Animal Ark Pets--Ben M. Baglio
Puppy Puzzle is the first book.
Genre: Animal Summary: Mandy loves animals. She doesn't have any pets of her own, but she always helps everyone else with their pet problems. Other: This is a fun series set before Animal Ark. All the animals are very cute. (Ages 7+) ~Faith
Jack Russel Dog Detective (Series)--Darrel and Sally Odgers
Dog Den is the first book.
Genre: Animal Story/Mystery Summary: Jack Russel lives with his human, Sarge. Sarge works with human mysteries, and Jack with dog mysteries. With the help of his friends and his brilliant Jack Russel brains, he can solve anything and everything. Follow him as he solves all the mysteries in Doggeroo. Other: I really enjoyed reading this series. It was one of my favorite animal books.The mysteries, and characters, are very cute. (Ages 7+) ~Faith
Animal Ark (Series)--Ben M. Baglio
Kittens in the Kitchen is the first book.
Genre: Animal Summary: Mandy Hope absolutely adores animals, so she helps out at her parents' animal clinic every chance she gets. Even when the animal is not in the clinic, she still loves to help, no matter if it's an owl, goat, hedgehog, abandoned kitten, or hamster. Other: This was possibly the first series that I really got into. The stories are fun and the different animals are really cute. There are a few books that are my favorites, but they are pretty dependably good. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
The Backward Bird Dog--Bill Wallace
Genre: Animal Story Summary: J.C.'s mother told him that the best smell in the world is the smell that your My gives off when you point out a Quail, and that smell is called proud. So J.C. can't wait to hunt and smell proud. But even though he is a good pointer dog and always points to the Quail, but why doesn't he ever get to hunt and smell proud? What's wrong? Other: The Backward Bird Dog is a really cute book. The storyline and J.C.'s doggie perspective is really funny. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Bub Moose/Bub Snow (Sequel)--Bill Wallace
Bub Moose is the first book.
Genre: Animal Summary: It was normal day in the forest...... Until Bub Moose leaves his mother's side to play with a wolf pup and they get lost. Who's ever heard of a prey hanging out with a predator? And will they ever see their parents again? Other: These are cute sequels. The interaction between moose and wolf is fun, and the adventures they have together are amusing to say the least. Though Bub Moose is really fun and needs to be read before Bub, Snow, and the Burly Bear Scare, the second book was even better. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
That Doggone Calf--Bill Wallace
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Hoss is a farm dog. Except for being treated like a baby doll by Ann, his life is pretty good. That is, until Cookie, a little calf, thinks that he owns the farm. Hoss is getting annoyed, but danger to Ann makes them both snap to attention. Can Hoss and Cookie work together to save her? Other: This is a really fun book what with Cookie and Hoss butting heads and snapping at each other, and their amused spectators. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
A Dog on His Own--Mary Jane Auch
Genre: Animal Story Summary: K-10 is a step above all the other dogs, hence his name, K-10. He has been running out on his own for a while now, so when he gets in the pound again, he knows exactly what to do. When a whole day passes, he loses some steam. Starting to get nervous, he meets Pearl, an old black Lab, and Peppy, a hyper Chihuahua. After they make a dangerous escape, K-10 has to choose. Freedom, or Friendship? Other: This was a good, sweet story, and the dog was very cute. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
The Dog who thought he was Santa--Bill Wallace
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Frank is worried; things just aren't right at the Franklin household. Christmas is just around the corner and Frank can just smell trouble. Don Franklin, Frank's owner, is upset. He just realized how dangerous his dad's job as a miner is, their finances are nosediving, he's not sure his parents understand what he wants for Christmas, and, to top it all off, his little sister heard that there's no Santa Claus, so she refuses to tell anyone what she wants for Christmas. What's a dog and his owner to do? Other: This was a good, funny book. But, parents, if you don't want your kids realizing who Santa Claus Really is, I advise that you don't use this as a Christmas stuffer. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Ereth's Birthday--Avi
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Ereth is a crotchety old porcupine who doesn't love anything or anyone except salt and his friend Poppy the mouse. It's his birthday, and Poppy and her family don't see to realize the occasion. Ah blustering baffoons! Oh well. He'll just have to make his own celebration with some salt at the trappers' cabin. His encounter with a dying mother fox stops him, however, and he promises to care for her three young kits until their absent father comes home. Can this old porcupine really play mom for three boisterous babies? Meanwhile, Marty the fisher, a deadly hunter, waits patiently for his chance to get a good porcupine meal. Ereth's got his work cut out for him. Other: I loved this book. It's fun to see Ereth try to care for the kits, and the kits themselves are very cute. This is a very good book, although it is sad when the mother fox dies. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
The Flying Flea Callie and Me (Trilogy)--Carol and Bil Wallace
The Flying Flea, Callie and Me is the first book.
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Gray is a kitten that is fighting to get up the courage to go to the barn and kill some rats. He's absolutely terrified of them. Callie says that if you don't show any fear then they'll run away. But Gray can't not show fear. Meanwhile, Gray's taking care of a baby bird (Flea) that wasn't able to fly out of the nest. Will Gray find a way to teach the bird how to fly for the winter? In the second book, terrifying grandchildren come to the house, and with a puppy too. Flea still hasn't come back and Gray still hasn't had the courage to go back to the barn. Will he ever? In the last book in the trilogy, Flea comes back to build her own nest, and Gray is a young cat. He should be able to hunt the rats. Will certain danger to his owner goad him to action? Other: This is a great trilogy. It's funny and well written with a fun story line. It has the whole bundle of what you need in a good, short animal trilogy. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Goosed!--Bill Wallace
RA* Genre: Animal Story Summary: T. P. is very happy in his family of three: Mom, Dad, and Jeff, T. P.'s boy. As the only dog in the house (Cord the grumpy cat doesn't count), T. P. is incredibly happy. Until, that is, Jeff's friend Mandy gives him a chocolate Labrador puppy. Now T. P.'s world is turned upside down. She asks too many questions, is way too hyper, and, okay, way too cute. But when Mocha gets "goosed," will T. P. put aside his personal annoyance and be able to save her? Other: This is a cute book. The plot isn't intricate or too involved, but the dogs are cute and T. P.'s problem is very believable. I enjoyed it. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
Hank the Cowdog (Series)--John R. Erickson
This is the first book.
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Hank the Cowdog is head of ranch security. Not the sharpest thorn on the bush, but brave, he takes his job very seriously. Along with his sidekick Grover, he keeps the ranch safe from things ranging from coyotes to tricky raccoons. He digs up old bones, saves archenemies, breaks hearts (or at least he thinks he does), and drives the ranch mistress nuts. All in a day's work for the head of ranch security. Other: This series is very funny. Hank is not bright, but he grows on you, making him an endearing narrator in a way. Sometimes the books drag a bit, but most are very entertaining. This was the first book series that I picked up myself from the library, and I'm happy that I did. Funny and cute. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
The Meanest Hound Around--Carol and Bill Wallace
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Freddy doesn't quite know why he was dumped. Maybe it was because he barked to much. Who knows? All he knows is that the car hasn't come back for him and he was dumped. Finally excepting his situation, he wanders around until he meets a little dog named Spike. Spike is a mistreated, and starved, junk yard dog. Freddy helps him escape and they set out to find a home. But both of them didn't have the greatest experience with humans. Will they be able to find a home that will take them? Other: This was a good book. I liked the dogs' characters, and the story was fun. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Ralph (Trilogy)--Beverly Cleary
The Mouse and the Motorcycle is the first book.
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Ralph is a mouse that lives in a hotel with his extended family. He wants to zoom through the halls, he loves cars, he desires adventure. When a boy brings his toy motorcycle to the hotel, he and Ralph figure out how to make it go. A mouse that can ride a toy motorcycle and speak to kids who like cars is bound to get into some mishaps, and so he does. Other: These are some of my favorite Beverly Cleary books. Ralph is so cute (don't tell him I said that though), and the whole concept about him riding the motorcycle is very clever. I highly recommend them for some light reading. (Ages 8+) ~Amy
Socks--Beverly Cleary
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Socks has had a good life. He lives a cozily with childless Mr. and Mrs. Bricker. But when a baby comes and they start forgetting about Socks and his food, Socks starts to worry. He starts getting very cranky and does naughty things that get him kicked out of the house. Can Socks really make friends with the baby that took his place in the family? Or will Socks be doomed to the outdoors and tomcats? Other: This was a great book. Socks is a very amusing character to follow around. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Stubby and the Puppypack (Sequal)--Nikki Wallace
Stubby and the Puppypack is the first book.
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Kikki lost his tail when a vicious dog took hold of her tail and wouldn't let go. Her best friend, Teebo, saved her from an even bigger injury, so he's the only one who can call her Stubby. She couldn't believe it when Teebo's family moved away and she was left friendless, lonely, and sad. Now new people move into Teebo's house, with three dogs: Boris, Noris, and Moris. And they want to be friends with her! How can she trust a dog? Other: These were two fun books, and I really enjoyed myself while reading them, especially the second book. The first one is a bit sad with her best friend moving away, but it was still good. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Totally Disgusting!--Bill Wallace
Genre: Animal Story Summary: On Christmas morning, a puppy and a kitten are lifted out of their boxes, admired, and cuddled by their new kid owners. The kitten can't wait to find out what his name is; he wants a name to live up to, like Rat-killer or Fearless. But no, because of his licks on the girl's cheek, Jessica chooses to name him..... Mew-Kiss. It was not a brave name, and worse, if you said it fast it sounded like Mucus. Totally disgusting! But when Jessica gets into trouble, will he have enough courage to help her even without a fearless name? Other: This is a fun, cute book, although the ending is a little bit sad. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Upchuck and the Rotten Willy (Trilogy)--Bill Wallace
Upchuck and Rotten Willy is the first book.
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Chuck had a satisfying, fun life, eating spaghetti, playing with friends, teasing dogs, and curling up with his owner Katie. But then all of a sudden, life changes. Katie goes to college, Chuck's best friend moves away, and his other one got smushed by a car. When he accidentally falls into the yard of a huge Rottweiler, Chuck is terrified, but it turns out that he isn't bad for a dog. Will they really become friends? Or will Chuck be lonely forever? Other: This is a sweet trilogy, and Willy and Chuck are really cute. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
Watchdog and the Coyotes--Bill Wallace
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Sweety is a Great Dane. He's a watchdog who just watches. He went through several owners and has decided that he can't bark, growl, snarl, bite, or dig again if he wants to stay in one place. But when coyotes start coming and stealing his and his friend's food every night, will he be able to fight for his friends? Other: This is one of my favorite Bill Wallace books. It's funny, and the characters are great. (Ages 8+) ~Faith
The Rats of NIMH (Trilogy)--Robert C. O'Brien
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is the first book.
Genre: Animal/Adventure Summary: Mrs. Frisby is worried. If they don't want to get crushed by the farmers plower, they have to move. But Timothy, her son, is ill and if moved, he might die. The doctor said to go to the mysterious Rats of NIMH, but could they help Timothy? Other: These books are really fun, and though a little bit sad at times. I didn't really like the last book though. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH won the 1972 Newbery Medal. (Ages 9+) ~Faith
Bunnicula (Series)--James Howe
This is the first book.
*RA Genre: Animal Story Summary: It all started one night, a dark night, when the Monroes came home from watching a Dracula movie and brought back a red-eyed, sharp-toothed rabbit. Chester is convinced he's a vampire, and that once he stops sucking on vegetables, he'll go on to bigger things. Harold is convinced that he is hungry and due for a nap. Is Bunnicula really a vampire? Or is it just Chester reading too many horror books? Other: I don't like vampire books and think they are gross. But don't worry--Bunnicula is not a vampire, and Howie (Who comes out later in the series) is not part werewolf. Chester is a cat that likes reading horror books and gets odd ideas from them. I loved this series and I read it to my mom, who thought it was hilarious. All in all, it is a very funny series. (Ages 9+) ~Faith
Waggit's Tale--(Trilogy) Peter Howe
Waggit's Tale is the first book
Genre: Animal Story Summary: Waggit was abandoned at a park as a puppy and soon after met a band of abandoned dogs called the Tazarians. When he finally settles in, he faces trials, and hard choices, paying the price for life in his new family. Other: This trilogy is well written and unique. Though it's melancholy a series, it has a fun story line, and the last book had a very satisfying ending. (Ages 9+) ~Faith