Funny books for kids who love animals

 

Most kids love animals and a lot of middle grade fiction, and early chapter books in particular, reflect that. Human-animal friendships go back a very long way in children’s literature – just look at Pongo and Mr Dearly, Mowgli and Baloo, Harry and Hedwig, to name but a few. Creating animal characters with human features and personality traits offers authors a way of exploring difficult situations and some of the insecurities kids feel themselves in a way that is relatable but not too serious.

Animals in books also provide the opportunity for lots of humour – and kids love funny books! Here are seven of our favourite funny books for animal-lovers:

Beastie Bros: Dungeons and Dragonflies by David O'Connell

Accessible and funny young fiction starring a hilarious firefly and snail duo, highly illustrated in black and white. The first volume in the Beastie Bros series was a massive hit with our Parakeet subscribers and we are delighted that Dribble and Dash are back for a second instalment. Packed with super silly humour, wacky characters and brilliant illustrations, this series is perfect for newly independent readers and fans of Dog Man and Bunny vs Monkey.

Alan, King of the Universe by Tom McLaughlin

For fans of Dog Man and Bunny vs Monkey, your new favourite graphic novel series has arrived! An outrageously funny comic book-style animal adventure for younger readers aged 5+. This two-colour graphic novel will have kids and their grown-ups rolling around the floor with laughter at the cat-tastic comedy that is perfectly pitched for newly independent readers.

Buzz Sausage Wolf by Jim Beckett

Meet Buzz Sausage Wolf! A hilariously silly sausage dog who's determined to be the PERFECT pet - but how? This is a funny and friendly full-colour illustrated story about being yourself. We are unashamedly dog people at Parrot Street HQ and Buzz Sausage Wolf sounds like he will fit right in! With colour illustrations, bags of humour and an important message, this is perfect for newly independent readers making that tricky transition from picture books to chapter books for the very first time.

 

Pia's Pet Club by Serena Patel

Young readers aged 5+ will love this brand-new series of funny animal adventures about Pia, the girl who loves pets, but isn't allowed one of her own! Serena Patel's Anisha Accidental Detective series has been a runaway hit with newly independent readers. This brand new series of laugh-out-loud animal adventures, packed with chaos, fun and friendship, will appeal to the same audience and has the same wonderful illustrations by Emma McCann.

Marty Moose: First Class Mischief by Claire Powell

It’s Marty Moose’s first day on the job as Postmouse. He’s ironed his uniform, polished his buttons and waxed his whiskers; he's ready to go! The first instalment in a funny and charming two-colour series for readers aged 5+. A quirky character, fun illustrations, humour, adventure and heart combine in a perfect package ideal for newly independent readers and fans of Alex T. Smith.

Gruff Justice by Ross Montgomery

We loved this tale of Toto the blind ninja cat, her hilarious brother Silver and their new best friend Catface (is he a real cat?). Toto learned to trust her senses from a ninja cat-master who taught her back in Italy where they were born. Now living in London, Toto and Silver seem to be ordinary cats, but by night, they love to have adventures and solve a mystery or two along the way.

The Fantastic Intergalactic Hamster! by Rachel Morrisroe

A brand new adventure packed with laughs, heart and superhero pets! When a spaceship crash-lands outside of Rebecca Refractor’s school full of aliens who look just like adorable hamsters, she knows there is only one kid and Superpet that can help . . . Jack and Hercules the hamster, the superstrength Superpet! Newly independent readers will laugh out loud at this intergalactic animal adventure.

Are you keen to supercharge your child’s love of reading but feel like you could be doing more to support them? We know that discovering, purchasing and recommending books that maintain your child’s enthusiasm for reading, helping them to reach their full potential, is time consuming. Why not let us take that off your to-do list? With a Parrot Street Book Club subscription your child receives a carefully chosen new children’s book and accompanying activity pack through the post each month. They receive a stream of varied and exciting books, whilst the book club-style questions and activities are perfect for sharing. Find out more here.