Friday, December 15, 2017

On books with anthropomorphic animals

I’m coming to realize that I love stories with animals that act like humans - there aren’t a huge amount out there, but I’ve been impressed with all the ones I’ve read. Below are some suggestions for stories you can read with anthropomorphic animals as the main characters - two for children and one for adults.

Redwall (Redwall, #1)
  • Redwall by Brian Jacques - This is an obvious choice for children. A fantasy series set around a woodland abbey, this story is an excellent introduction to fantasy for children - complete with pure evil, heroic quests, and difficult moral dilemmas.


The Wind in the Willows
  • The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame - A classic children’s story about woodland friends Mole, Rat, and Toad, this story is delightful and adorable. And who could forget Toad’s automobile rides?



The Builders
  • The Builders by Daniel Polansky - This book was a surprising favorite of mine. Part heist, part fantasy story, this tale is absolutely wonderful (and mostly suited for adults). Part of the delight of this story comes from imagining the characters being the animals they are - like the narrator’s constant quips about the mouse captain’s height and squeaky voice. It’s a wonderful balance between thrilling adventure and whimsical fantasy tale.


What books would you add to this list? Have you read any of the listed stories?

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