Books About Animals

Books about animals are one of my favourite types of books to read. Below is a selection of books about animals ranging from humous stories from a safari guide, to heart warming stories of a girl raising an orphaned owl to the world's most famous primatologist to raising a family in the wilds of Africa. There are so many interesting facts about animals that you're sure to be entertained.  

Jane Goodall is without a doubt my favourite author of books about animals. Goodall is the world's most famous primatologist (a scientist who studies apes or monkeys) and her discoveries changed the way the world thought about animals and her books are filled with interesting facts about animals - with chimps taking center stage.  One of her major discoveries was that chimpanzees use tools. Before this discovery it was thought that only man used tools. Goodall has a way of making you feel you are right there with her studying chimpanzees. She was one of the first scientists to name her animals (previously scientists assigned numbers to their research subjects) and by the end of her books you feel as if you personally know the chimpanzees that she has spent years studying. My Life with the Chimpanzees is a wonderful book for young adults and adults who want the Coles notes version of her longer books. She has a new book out, Hope for Animals and their World which I can't wait to read. Unlike other conservationists, Goodall's efforts at saving chimps have been successful as she recognizes the importance of working with the local people, not against them as many scientists have done in the past. I have had the fortune to see Goodall speak at two events and they have both left tears in my eyes. She is a powerful speaker and writer who gets her message across humbly without ever being preachy. If you only ever read one book about animals, I would highly recommend one of Goodall's. Although difficult to choose, my personal favourite is Through a Window.

I just finished reading Whatever You Do, Don't Run and thoroughly enjoyed the short stories (each chapter is a different story). It was witty, entertaining, educational while giving you an inside perspective into the life of a safari guide and filled with interesting facts about animals. Great easy reading. I haven't read Don't Look Behind You! yet, but plan to as it has also been getting good reviews. Readers will appreciate these short entertaining books about animals when a busy schedule doesn't permit a longer read.

Wesley is a much different read than the other books previously mentioned. It is the story of a girl who takes in an abandoned barn owl and raises him until his death years later. I learned so many interesting facts about animals - barn owls in this case, and had no idea the commitment it took - can you imagine not letting anyone into your bedroom for years so as not to frighten the owl or killing live mice for your owl's dinner? It is an easy read and would also be appropriate for young adult readers. Wesley won't be winning any awards for its writing but is worth a read if you like reading animal-human bond stories.

Dewey in many ways reminded me of Wesley. It is a personal story of a cat that lived in a small town's library, but unlike Wesley, Dewey impacted the lives of many of the town's residents and library patrons. Cat lovers will love hearing about Dewey's antics and heart's will be warmed at the impact a single cat can have on a town. Similar to Wesley, Dewey won't be winning any writing awards either, but it's still a sweet heart warming story. There's the adult version which gets into the Library Director's life a bit more and the children's version which focuses soley on Dewey. Children will love this book!

I read The Wilderness Family more than five years ago and have read it a couple of times since. This is simply one of my favourite book about animals of all time and is chocked full of interesting facts about animals - have you ever heard of a genet? It is the true story written by the wife of a game warden trying to raise three girls living in Africa's national parks. Raising three children can be hard enough let alone when you have to consider the best time to cross the river so as not to upset the hippos or checking that the resident cobra is not resting on your door step every time you enter your house, or raising a boisterous orphaned lion cub. This book is a must read for all animal lovers.

I realize that most people aren't overly interested in caribou, but don't let that stop you from reading Being Caribou. This is the true story of Karsten Heuer and his wife who follow the caribou herd up to their calving grounds in the Arctic Circle for months.  It's fascinating and you will learn so many interesting facts about animals. Can you imagine trying to sleep in a tent, with no protection with a circling hungry grizzly bear? Or how about once you reach the delicate caribou calving grounds, peeing in a cup in your tent since the caribou are that sensitive to any movement? My book club read Being Caribou and despite many members not being overly interested in animals, let alone caribou, everyone enjoyed it which surprised everyone. The story is engrossing and makes you realize how precious life is and why we must save the caribou calving grounds and not allow drilling for oil such a delicate area. After reading Being Caribou, you will never think of caribou the same, or perhaps you will think of caribou for the first time.

Although sharks are technically a fish, I couldn't leave out Sharkwater. First, if you haven't seen the movie, do so. Sharkwater has had more of an impact on me than any other movie I have ever seen - bar none and the interesting facts about animals - sharks in this case changed my life! I had no idea what was happening to sharks until I saw this movie. I also love the Sharkwater book which features spectacular photography, but don't get the book without seeing the movie first, it won't have the same impact. Be fore warned that Sharkwater isn't the most uplifting documentary that you'll ever see, but it will hopefully inspire you to change. Sharkwater is a large part of the reason of why I got into shark diving - to show that sharks are worth more alive than dead through shark tourism. Having had the opportunity to dive with hundreds and hundreds of sharks has completely changed how I think of these amazing fish who have been around for more than 400 million years. Be prepared for an eye opening experience with Sharkwater.