"Feel good" books about animals

[pgwenthold]

OK, so my wife is a vet, and I've decided to start her a collection of books about animals. But I want "feel good" animal books, one that a vet would enjoy to read (Cujo and Jaws need not apply)

Unfortunately, the only really feel good animal books I know are those from my youth. Things like Call of the Wild by Jack London, Where the Red Fern Grows, Charlotte's Web (two love stories), Stuart Little (speaking of EBWhite), and, while speaking of mice, there are Beverly Cleary's Mouse and the Motorcycle and Runaway Ralph ("Great green gobs of greasy grimey gopher guts")

OK, so I know some kids books, but does anyone know any more adult literature on the topic? I realize that the genre is more youth oriented, but there might be something out there. Any help?

[Disco]

I guess Watership Down would probably be out, too? :p

I got an autographed copy of All Creatures Great and Small from my in-laws, who lived in England near the vet who wrote it. It has a lot of great stories about being a country vet over there. I understand he wrote at least 2 or 3 other novels in the same vein.

*googles for author's name*

Ah yes, James Herriot. Would like to buy an autographed copy of one of his books? ;)

MHB

[rudar]

When elephants weep (Joseph Moussaieff Masson)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385314280/002-8438723-4490405?v=glance&n=283155
Comes within a hair's breadth of being a well put together argument against the Descartian notion of animals as automata, but completely fails to actually take that step and remains a nice collection of cute anecdotes.

The Lives of Animals (J.M. Coetzee)
http://www.pupress.princeton.edu/titles/6543.html
Been a while since I read this one; not sure I can add much to the review at that url.

A sand county almanac (Aldo Leopold)
A classic, often presented as the foundation of the modern ethic of conservation biology. But that treatment of it really focusses on a few pages from the third section (`The upshot') of the book; the first two sections (`A sand county almanac' and `Sketches from here and there') include lots of stories of the animal and other citizens of Wisconsin.

Various titles by Barry Lopez. I think `Of wolves and men' and `Arctic dreams' may be the ones I have in mind, but my memory is not what it once was :)
http://www.barrylopez.com/

The wild parrots of telegraph hill: not a book, and I haven't seen it. But I've heard good reviews
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BB1534/qid=1152231619/sr=8-37/ref=sr_1_37/002-8438723-4490405?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=130...
Oh. There is a book version, too:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0609610554/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_0/002-8438723-4490405?ie=UTF8

[pgwenthold]

I guess Watership Down would probably be out, too? :p

I got an autographed copy of All Creatures Great and Small from my in-laws, who lived in England near the vet who wrote it. It has a lot of great stories about being a country vet over there. I understand he wrote at least 2 or 3 other novels in the same vein.

*googles for author's name*

Ah yes, James Herriot. Would like to buy an autographed copy of one of his books? ;)



PM me with a price.

In fact, my wife has 4 other Herriot books on the shelf already.

[SaintDymphna]

How about a classic like Born Free by Joy Adamson. I've loved that book since I was 12 years old (and now I'm over 40).

I also thought of another book Seventh Heaven (no relation to that tv program) by Alice Hoffman. A german shepherd dog is one of the main characters and, for me, one of the most memorable. I think an animal lover (and a veterinarian) would like the book very much.

Peace,

Saint Dymphna

[Floyt]

This kind of book constituted my meat and bread throughout my entire childhood :)
Consequently, most of what I can recall is aimed at kids and teenagers. I remember one "adult" standout, though: "Red Fox", by Charles Robert. Very thrilling and very non-cute fox life story.

"Watership Down" is so excellent and influential that your wife will not be able to dodge it for long, in the unlikely event that she has done so until now.

Gerald Durrell's books are every one a good read. Even better than his expedition and zoo-building accounts are his memoirs of a nature-steeped childhood in Corfu (the first of which is "My family and other animals").

[Worm]

I was going to recommend Gerald Durrell - his stories are amazing. and James Herriot as well, who is something of a national treasure in the UK. (or was until he died anyway)

There is a very good author called Deric Longden who initially wrote about his experience of caring for his wife through M.E., and his mother through a stroke (both of which are wonderful stories), but he also has written some very nice books about his cats - I can thoroughly recommend 'I'm A Stranger Here Myself' and 'The Cat Who Came In From The Cold'

101 Dalmations? - more children's fiction I guess :)

In terms of fiction - William Horwood's 'Duncton' books are very good indeed, if a little heavy-going.

Ooo oo ooo - just thought of another one. It's not an 'animal' book as such, but Mark Wallingford wrote two amazing books about travelling with his dog (actually it wasn't his..but it's not important) the books are called '500 Mile Walkies' and 'Boogie Up The River' (you can buy them as a single volume called 'Travels With Boogie') - they are very good indeed, and tell two lovely stories about Mark walking the South-West Coastal path in England, and boating up the Thames to find the source of the river . Very funny indeed, and the dog is a major character - in every sense of the word :)

[Zumo de Mango]

The Secret of Nimh by Robert C O'Brien

[SaintDymphna]

I almost forgot: Beautiful Jim Key : The Lost History of a Horse and a Man Who Changed the World by Mim Eichler Rivas A true and very moving story.

[Lucky]

As a child I adored Jennie by Paul Gallico (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140019421/104-8241719-0113557?v=glance&n=283155), and I've read and enjoyed it a couple of times as an adult. I recommend it to any cat lover.

[Meffy]

If you don't mind fantasies, try the Redwall stories by Brian Jacques. No humans in this world, just intelligent, somewhat anthropomorphic animals. Some bits are cutesy enough to uncurdle sour milk, but there are fierce (though small-scale) battles that the losers don't walk away from. Suitable for anyone from pre-teens to adults.

[Polaris]

The Secret of Nimh by Robert C O'Brien

I think the title of the book is Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.

Try The Tribe of Tiger, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. It's non-fiction, about cats.

[LibraryLady]

Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell. A really moving story about a man with a pet sea otter.

[kittynh]

oh but the otter dies.....right?

It was a great movie.

Anyway, there are some great cat books, the curmudgeon and the cat series....anyone remember the correct title?

then there is a really funny mystery series by Marion Babson...with a cat...

"Murder at the Cat show" is wonderfully funny and the cats are great. And I LOVE this book....

Nine lives to murder
by Marian Babson



alibris has copies of this really cheap. A lot of her "cat" books only feature a cat in a minor role. But Murder at the Cat Show and "9 LIves to Murder" are fantastic. In 9 lives an actor takes a blow to the head and changes places with a cat. The "cat" is in a coma in the hospital in his body, and he, in the cats body has to figure out who is trying to kill him. It's very realistic and very funny. By that I mean in both books the cats act like cats. LIght reading sure, but why not?

[TriangleMan]

You might want to check out books by Farley Mowat (Never Cry Wolf is his most famous, although Owls in the Family was also good) as many of his works were pro-animal. Not exactly for kids though, more like for readers age 10+.

[Aurelian]

"Animals in Translation" by ??? and Catherine Johnson Nonfiction

"Seabiscuit"

"Wicked" has an interesting take on Animals, though that's a smaller theme in an adult book.

[headscratcher4]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971784345/sr=8-8/qid=1152908048/ref=pd_bbs_8/102-8018060-4958533?ie=UTF8

Animals on the Other Side by Silvia Browne might be interesting....

[zakur]

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Every Burnford

[zakur]

The Incredible Journey by Sheila Every Burnford

I also loved WE3 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401204953/), but I cannot recommend it as a "feel good" animal book.

[zakur]

The Dogs of Bedlam Farm and A Dog Year by Jon Katz
Amazing Gracie by Dan Dye
Bark If You Love Me by Louise Bernikow

...and a couple more kids' titles:

Gentle Ben by Walt Morey
Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith (and just about any other book by King-Smith.

[Meffy]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0971784345/sr=8-8/qid=1152908048/ref=pd_bbs_8/102-8018060-4958533?ie=UTF8

Animals on the Other Side by Silvia Browne might be interesting....
FEH! on Sylvia Browne. She claims insects can't get into heaven -- NOR SKUNKS! Feh and feh again.

[Sandy M]

"The Will to Win" by Jane McIlvaine McCleary. Story of the only American bred, American owned, American ridden winner of the Grand National at Aintree, Jay Trump (circa 1965). A result of an accidental breeding, ran on the half-mile bush tracks in South Carolina, almost fatally injured in a racing accident, went on to become a field hunter, show hunter, hurdle racer, then timber steeplechaser and three-time winner of the Maryland Hunt Cup (a race over 4 to 5 foot solid timber fences), then taken to England and qualified for and then won the Grand National, returning to America to win the Maryland Hunt Cup once again.

All of Herriot's opus is good, and there is a biography of Herriot, "The Real James Herriot" by Jim Wight, his son.

Don't know if I'd call them "Feel Good" but Vicki Hearne's books "Adam's Task" and "Animal Happiness" are an interesting philosophical take on our relationship with animals and animal training, dog, horse and cat, and other.

[Meri]

In fiction, how about The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents? It is a kid's book, but really, really good. It's a parody of the pied piper story, with talking rats and a talking cat. A more adult book is Fluke by Christopher Moore. It a novel in which most of the main characters are whale researchers, so some whales get in the book.

In non-fiction, I would add to the people recommending James Herriot, and add the book Most of My Patients Are Animals by Robert M. Miller, who was a vet in California, I think.

I also like Monster of God by David Quammen. It's about large predators, both the actual creatures and the myths surrounding them.

[Tricky]

You might want to check out books by Farley Mowat (Never Cry Wolf is his most famous, although Owls in the Family was also good) as many of his works were pro-animal. Not exactly for kids though, more like for readers age 10+.
Yes, an excellent book, though Mowat is somewhat ostracised by biologists for manufacturing evidence. Still, a great and moving story, regardless of how absolutely correct it is. The movie is not bad either.

[TriangleMan]

Yes, an excellent book, though Mowat is somewhat ostracised by biologists for manufacturing evidence. Still, a great and moving story, regardless of how absolutely correct it is.
I thought the book was fiction anyway so why would some biologists get upset? Or was it originally presented as non-fiction or "based on a true story"?

[RSLancastr]

A favorite in my family is Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams.

It is a "quest" story, sort of a Watership Down with cats.

Anyone who loves cats should really enjoy it.

[Meffy]

In fiction, how about The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents? It is a kid's book, but really, really good.
For mature kids. Younger or more sensitive ones might find it too frightening. Heck, I found some parts pretty scary. Leave it to Pratchett not to talk down.

[Meri]

For mature kids. Younger or more sensitive ones might find it too frightening. Heck, I found some parts pretty scary. Leave it to Pratchett not to talk down.

Yeah, it was a very Pratchett kind of kid's book. If you've read some of the other Discworld books, Hogfather especially, one idea that shows up repeatedly is that violence and scary things in kids books bother adults far more than children. Still a great animal book, though.

[hgc]

Um, how about Animal Farm?

It's got upright walking pigs!

[Meffy]

Um, how about Animal Farm?

It's got upright walking pigs!

Just like most real-world governments... (apologies to my two anthro-swine friends)

[Orphia Nay]

What a lovely thread, with some great suggestions that I'll be tracking down. I may even try some of the fantasy ones, even though I'm usually averse to that as a genre. Thanks for the topic, pgwenthold. Even if it was to benefit your wife, it's benefitted others.


...
Gerald Durrell's books are every one a good read. Even better than his expedition and zoo-building accounts are his memoirs of a nature-steeped childhood in Corfu (the first of which is "My family and other animals").

Seconded wholeheartedly. That one is my favourite book ever, in that I have re-read it many times.

I've got around 15 of Gerald Durrell's 37 books (http://www.durrellwildlife.org/index.cfm?a=51) (and I've read several more). Last year I re-read all mine in order of publishing date, then his biography. You can usually find copies at second-hand bookshops and jumble sales, but a lot are still in print (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/002-4485898-9655216?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=%22gerald+durrell%22&Go.x=11&Go.y=12&Go=Go). I'd recommend them all. Of course, I am biased.


Last week I picked up "The James Herriott Collection" at the library, and have spent many late nights unable to put it down. I loved the TV series in the 80s, but for some reason I'd never read the books.

[Cuddles]

Pretty much everything by Dick King-Smith. Childrens books really, but they're still great to read now I'm all grown up.

I'd also have to say Black Beauty, White Fang and Ajax the Warrior. Still kids books and rather old fashioned but definately animal-type feel good books.

The Little Grey Men and Down the Bright stream might count as well. Mainly about gnomes, but lots of animals there as well.

Douglas Adams - Last Chance to See is on a more factual side. I'm not sure it would count as feel good, but a very interesting read and some very pretty pictures in it as well.

[Jon.]

I got an autographed copy of All Creatures Great and Small from my in-laws, who lived in England near the vet who wrote it. It has a lot of great stories about being a country vet over there. I understand he wrote at least 2 or 3 other novels in the same vein.

*googles for author's name*

Ah yes, James Herriot. Would like to buy an autographed copy of one of his books? ;)

MHB

Does the autograph read "James Herriot" or "Alf Wight"? I'm always curious as to how the pseudonymous sign their names.

[hgc]

Does the autograph read "James Herriot" or "Alf Wight"? I'm always curious as to how the pseudonymous sign their names.Come to think of it, did Mark Twain sign as Samuel Clemens?

And speaking of which, his story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is a good animal story.

[hgc]

Come to think of it, did Mark Twain sign as Samuel Clemens?I went to find out, and found this great letter... http://www.historyforsale.com/html/prodetails.asp?documentid=258366&start=54&page=43

Hartford May 17, '86

My Dear Sir:

If I were a poet, I would acknowlege your pleasant compliments in verse; but I am not, so I am forced to say my thanks in the ruder form of prose - which is like answering the gracious salutation of a bugle with a fog horn.

Truly Yours
S.L. Clemens
Mark Twain

Mr. Edward W. Lummis

[Dogdoctor]

Well it's been a while but how about Born Free, Living Free, Forever Free by Joy Adamson or something like that

[NobbyNobbs]

If you don't mind fantasies, try the Redwall stories by Brian Jacques. No humans in this world, just intelligent, somewhat anthropomorphic animals. Some bits are cutesy enough to uncurdle sour milk, but there are fierce (though small-scale) battles that the losers don't walk away from. Suitable for anyone from pre-teens to adults.


Meffy, you beat me to it!

How about The Chronicles of Narnia? Or maybe Rikki-Tikki-Tavi? (Anyone else remember that one?)

[Meri]

Or maybe Rikki-Tikki-Tavi? (Anyone else remember that one?)

Isn't that the one about the mongoose?

[NobbyNobbs]

That's the one! 5 points.

[Sandy M]

That's the one! 5 points.


or "The Maltese Cat" - which is about a polo pony!

[Van]

Yeah, it was a very Pratchett kind of kid's book. If you've read some of the other Discworld books, Hogfather especially, one idea that shows up repeatedly is that violence and scary things in kids books bother adults far more than children. Still a great animal book, though.
It scared me too, but Pratchett makes Maurice fun and skeptical. Philip Pulman's His Dark Materials Trilogy has some lovely animals which are actually kind of keepers of people's souls. The first one especially has some wonderful descriptive passages on the link between the human and their animal companion.

[Polaris]

Maybe the Girl of the Sea of Cortez, by Peter Benchley. To my knowledge it's the only novel of his in which the sea creature isn't on a blood-thirsty kill-quest for human flesh.

[Sandy M]

Just read "Animals in Translation." Unfortunately, don't have it with me and I don't remember the author's name. Interesting take on our relationship/communication with animals written by a high-functioning autistic, who compares her way of functioning/thinking with that of animals, particuarly cattle and horses.

[Maenoon]

In addition to Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Rudyard Kipling wrote a lot of other animal stories including The Jungle Book (just say no to Disney!) and the whole series of "Just So" stories that explain in fanciful ways how animals received their various physical features.

Cleveland Amory has written numerous books about cats such as The Best Cat Ever and The Cat Who Came for Christmas. Personally, though, I prefer the "Cat Who..." series of mystery books by Lillian Jackson Braun (I hope I'm spelling that right), which pairs Siamese cats with a crusty old journalist. (By the way, her books portray journalists more accurately than any other books, TV shows, or movies I've ever encountered.)

Oh, and please don't discount books like Watership Down or The Wind in the Willows. They're so beautifully crafted that I don't think it's fair to categorize them as children's books. Good literature has no upper age limit.

[Dava]

If you don't mind graphic novels, I'd suggest one of the Owly collections. It's all ages, and very dear and sweet. There are also the Serendipity books, which are just plain gorgeous.

[Katana]

I loved the Heriot books, too.

The Red Pony by John Steinbeck is a wonderful book.

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken was another childhood favorite. My fifth grade teacher read a chapter each day at the end of the day to our class, and we always booed when she came to the end (even though we got to go home). In fact, I may have to pick that one up again.

The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant by Jean De Brunhoff was another book that I adored.

[AmateurScientist]

Just read "Animals in Translation." Unfortunately, don't have it with me and I don't remember the author's name. Interesting take on our relationship/communication with animals written by a high-functioning autistic, who compares her way of functioning/thinking with that of animals, particuarly cattle and horses.

Temple Grandin is the author. She's terrific, and her insights are very illuminating. I recommend the book to anyone interested in cognitive science and animals. It's non-fiction, and Grandin, PhD, is a Professor of Animal Science in Colorado and an inventor, a two-time best-selling author, featured lecturer, and highly sought after and respected consultant to the meat packing (slaughtering) industry in the US, in particular to McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King (I think). Grandin speaks, and the beef industry listens.

Oh yeah, like you said, she's also autistic.

AS