5 animal stories to delight young readers

Author-illustrator Claire Powell shares her favourite animal stories for early readers. 

One of my first memories is of reading a Brambly Hedge book (by Jill Barklem) in the tiny box room of our house, by the light of a ceramic lamp that was shaped like a mouse house and had tiny mice inside it. It wasn’t even my bedroom! Growing up, I had quite a spacious bedroom (a benefit of being an only child!) but there was something about that tiny spare room that appealed to me, and I often asked to sleep in there. Looking back, I realise sleeping in that room made me feel as though I was suddenly the size of a mouse– the stories all felt more real in that tiny space.  

I still love books about animals who exist in our world, but who have their own adventures. I return to them again and again, and it’s probably no surprise that I created Marty Moose. A series of books–inspired by surroundings in Derbyshire–about a postmouse who lives in a place called Little Ditch and delivers letters and parcels to his neighbours, often having calamitous or perilous adventures along the way. Marty’s world has hints of human existence within it – their post-box is an old milk urn; his toilet roll holder, a paperclip. These two worlds colliding is pure magic to me: a nod to my nostalgia for that tiny spare room and the adventures I had there in the pages of what are still some of my favourite books, some of whichI recommend wholeheartedly here. 

Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter is such a joyous riot of furry rebellion and mischief! What I admire about this story is how shocked I am by the behaviour of the mice, and I feel that way right up until the very end… when Potter adds a little twist! Perfect for early readers. 

My next recommendation was my grandfather’s favourite book, my mother’s, and possibly mine too. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame follows the efforts of Mole, Ratty and Badger as they try to help their friend Toad, who has become obsessed with motorcars and got himself into trouble.Young children would need to have the original version read to them, but mosteditions are beautifully illustrated which would help to engage them. Abridged versions are also available! 

Rabbit and Bear by Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field, is a contemporary series of books and my, how they make me laugh. Rabbit, who is impatient, loud and full of swagger is perfectly contrasted by Bear, who is kind, thoughtful and endlessly patient. Genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, each book delivers a subtle message about understanding and compassion and the illustrations add another layer of comedy. Perfect for early readers. 

I couldn’t put together a list like this without recommending AdventureMice by Sarah McIntyre and Philip Reeve. A tiny mouse called Pedro is taken in by The AdventureMice, a brave team of tiny mice who keep all the mouse Islands safe from harm. Such good fun and beautifully illustrated in full colour, this swashbuckling series is perfect for early readers. 

I will finish by cheating and including a book that is on my own reading pile. Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, by Robert C. O’Brien, is a story of some highly intelligent rats who come to the aid of a widowed mouse and her four children. I have heard SUCH great things about this book, and it sounds SO EXCITING (a charming tale which turns sci-fi!) that I couldn’t resist. Perfect for ages 7and up. 

Marty Moose by Claire Powell is available now.