Children's Book Suggestions | Animal Fantasy

Some of our favorite animal fantasy books for readers in Grades 2-7, telling traditional fantasy stories where animals are the protagonists. You can view more animal fantasy books for young readers in the library catalog.

For more fantasy book suggestions, check out our Fairy Tales, Fantasy, and Mythology & Folklore book lists.

Updated June 29, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
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The ember stone
Charman, Katrina
Paper Book
Magic, fantasy, and adventure combine to create this fast-paced series perfect for young readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced...

Scholastic's Branches imprint features lots of amazing beginning chapter books perfect for newly independent readers, including this story about a squirrel and an owl who set out on an epic quest to save their world. (Bridging Fiction Grades 2-4)

The familiars
Epstein, Adam Jay.
Paper Book
For fans of Warriors and Wings of Fire comes a magical adventure story about a street cat who's mistaken for a wizard's familiar. "Whether furry, flippered or feathered you'll be taking a closer look at your family pet." --Michael Buckley, author of The Sisters Grimm and NERDS...

Three animals are chosen to be familiars for young wizards in training and must learn to work together to protect their human companions. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Into the wild
Hunter, Erin
Paper Book
Join the legion of fans who have made Erin Hunter's Warriors series a #1 national bestseller! Epic adventures. Fierce Warrior cats. A thrilling fantasy world. It all begins here with Warriors #1: Into the Wild. For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to...

A young housecat runs away to join a clan of warring cats in the woods. Easily the most popular animal fantasy series in the library! There is literally a new Erin Hunter book published every month, so you will never run out of books to read if you like the Warriors series and its spinoffs. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The wind in the willows
Grahame, Kenneth
Paper Book

While it's not an epic fantasy quest tale, this cozy classic features a group of humanesque animals living their best lives in the English countryside. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

The capture
Lasky, Kathryn.
Paper Book
A classic hero mythology about the fight between good and evil, Guardians of Ga'Hoole is filled with adventure, suspense, and heart.Soren is born in the forest of Tyto, a tranquil kingdom where the Barn Owls dwell. But evil lurks in the owl world, evil that threatens to shatter Tyto's peace and...

A group of imprisoned young owls must break free from their prison camp in this suspenseful tale for older elementary readers. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Ember's end
Smith, S. D.
Paper Book
The end is here.Heather and Picket face off for the last time with their tyrannical foes in this final installment of the Green Ember Series. The Mended Wood flickers dimly in the vision of the rabbits of Natalia, as they battle bravely for their survival and a hopeful future beyond.My place beside...

This animal fantasy series from indie author S.D. Smith is great for families looking for wholesome, engaging stories with limited descriptions of violence and "clean" language. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Legend of the yearling
Black, Roan
Paper Book
In the first installment of the action-packed Guardians of Horsa graphic novel series, four young horses from clashing herds must join forces to solve a mystery and save magic. Welcome to the realm of Horsa, a world of magic, wild horses, and danger. The four elemental herds of...

My Little Pony fans looking for a more traditional fantasy setting will enjoy this graphic novel set in a realm of magical horses. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Wild born
Mull, Brandon
CD
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Mull comes Spirit Animals, an epic book series that leaps from the page into a riveting online game. Your book is the key to claim your spirit animal!In the world of Erdas, four children are about to discover if they have a spirit animal bond, a rare...

In a magical worlds where a handful of lucky 12-year-olds forge powerful bonds with magical animals, four young teens and their spirit companions set out to save the world. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

DnDoggos : get the party started
Underhill, Scout
Paper Book
A Kirkus Best Book of the Year (Middle Grade) A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (Middle Grade) An ALA Best Graphic Novel for Children Four adorable dogs are tail-waggingly excited to play their favorite role-playing game in DnDoggos...

A slightly quirky take on the animal fantasy theme, this graphic novel features a group of dogs who enjoy fantasy role playing games. Perfect for avid D&D fans! (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Redwall
Jacques, Brian.
Paper Book
As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as they seem. Cluny the Scourge--the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is ell-bent on destroying the tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for the ownership of...

A brave mouse monk helps defend his abbey home from a gang of marauding weasels in the first book of Brian Jaques' classic fantasy series. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Wild magic
Pierce, Tamora
Paper Book
Thirteen-year-old DaIne has always had a knack with animals, but it's not until she's forced to leave home that she realizes it's more than a knack -- it's magic. With this wild magic, not only can Daine speak to animals, but also she can make them obey her. Daine takes a job handling horses for the...

A young teen girl who can speak to animals is recruited to help protect her kingdom from a wave of dangerous magical creatures who've found a way to leave the world of immortals. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)


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