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 6, 2024
LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Oregon City Public Library
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
The ember stone
Charman, Katrina
Paper Book
Magic, fantasy, and adventure combine to create a grippingly fast-paced new series for young readers -- The Last Firehawk!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...

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 When...

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
"A classic as a classic ought to look... . The illustrations wonderfully fulfill Grahame's nostalgic vision of life on the River Bank." - School Library Journal, starred review

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)

The haunting /
Lasky, Kathryn.
Paper Book
Newbery Honor-winning Kathryn Lasky, author of the bestselling Guardians of Ga'Hoole and Bears of Ice series, delivers a sweeping middle grade animal adventure with loyal beavers, a cultured swan, and ominous lynxes around every turn--a captivating story about heroism, loyalty, and the courage to...

While cats and mice have always been popular animal fantasy protagonists, we've been getting more and more unusual animals each year! Oregonians will be especially delighted by this series featuring an intrepid young beaver. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Mez's magic
Schrefer, Eliot
Paper Book
An action-packed and hilarious animal fantasy adventure from New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist Eliot Schrefer, "this new series stunner" (Kirkus starred review) will thrill fans of Warriors and Spirit Animals. Caldera has forever been divided...

A group of rainforest animals set out on a magical quest in this series opener from Eliot Schrefer. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

DnDoggos. 1, 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)

Mellybean and the giant monster
White, Mike (Children's author)
Paper Book
"Mike White hits a heartwarming hat trick with this cute, funny, and action-packed adventure. Mellybean will bounce off the page and into your heart." -Mo O'Hara, New York Times bestselling author of the My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish series and Agent Moose The Secret...

A spunky dog accidentally falls through a hole into a fantasy world and tries to get back home in this funny portal fantasy adventure. (Children's Graphic Novel Grades 3-5)

Starfire
Alvarez, Jennifer Lynn
Paper Book
Riders of the Realm author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez "will lift the reader on the wings of danger and destiny, magic and hope"* in this first book in an action-packed fantasy adventure series. Perfect for fans of the Warriors and Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. Once every hundred years, a black...

A classic fantasy adventure with a twist: the characters are all winged horses! A great choice for horse lovers as well as fantasy fans. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Redwall /
Jacques, Brian.
Paper Book
Soon to be a Netflix original movie! One of TIME Magazine's 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time   The book that inspired a legend--the first novel in the beloved, bestselling Redwall saga. Welcome to Mossflower Wood,...

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)


Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.